Japan-USA SCP Fellowship Network Program
The Okinawa Institute for Science & Technology (OIST) Foundation in partnership with the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University’s Center for Professional Development & Inclusive Excellence (C-HUB), the Wilbury Theatre Group, and University of California Science to Policy, with funding from The Japan Foundation announce the:
Japan-U.S. Science Communication & Policy Fellowship Network Program
Applications due June 3rd, 2022.
New York, NY (May 12, 2022) – The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) Foundation, the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University’s Center for Professional Development & Inclusive Excellence (C-HUB), the Wilbury Theatre Group, and University of California, Riverside Science to Policy --- will partner for the inaugural Japan-U.S. Science Communication & Policy Fellowship Network Program funded by The Japan Foundation. The program, which looks to link scientists in the United States and Japan, focuses on helping scientists effectively and strategically communicate their studies and discoveries. Applications, due June 3rd , are now open. For more information, visit: tinyurl.com/SciComm2022.
This program promotes meaningful cooperation between the two countries on global challenges by bridging a critical gap between science and policy. The Program brings together early-career scientists from Japan and the U.S. to engage in bilateral training and exchange for effective communication towards strategic collaboration with policymakers. Selected Fellows will participate in a year-long cohort experience and receive training to communicate science-informed policy to a wide audience.
Wilbury Theatre Group will be providing workshops, over the summer, taught by Education Programs Manager Mycah Hogan. Wilbury’s Artistic Director, Josh Short explains, “We were thrilled to be invited to partner with OIST and the OIST Foundation on this innovative project. Our work to engage audiences in important conversations through great storytelling has always been at the forefront of our mission, and to be able to share this work with an international cohort of scientists at the cutting edge of their fields is a great honor. The work that Mycah does through our education programs will be an incredible asset to this program, and we can’t wait to get started!”
UCR Science to Policy will teach Fellows how where and when to engage in the policy making process. Building on the curriculum created for UCR, scientist and engineers with direct and recent experience of working in the world of policy will lead discussions and activities. Participants will learn how to effectively communicate with policymakers, with a focus on op-ed writing, public speaking, and document preparation. They will also have an opportunity to learn about the policymaking process in Japan and the U.S. at the local and national level.
The OIST Center for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence (C-Hub) will work with the Fellows to articulate the broader systems within which their scientific contributions connect to local, national, and global societies. Fellows will engage in the critical examinations of the visible and invisible structures that may influence the presentation of scientific narratives and consider avenues for their engagement in multilateral, international policy shaping toward equitable, sustainable development.
The OIST Foundation will oversee the program which emerged from the Foundation’s Future of Climate project, which was funded by The Japan Foundation. “After each webinar the gaps between scientific knowledge and the policy world were highlighted by scientists at OIST and other webinar participants. This led to an on-going dialogue on how the Foundation and OIST could address this need. Working in close partnership with Dr. Kathy Takayama at OIST’s C-Hub and Dr. Susan Hackwood at UCR Science to Policy, as well as with the Wilbury Theatre Group, we are thrilled to be able to launch this important and exciting program. This is a team effort and only possible due to strong partners and the support of the Japan Foundation,” stated David Janes, President of the OIST Foundation.
About the OIST Foundation
The mission of the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Foundation, Inc. is to promote innovative global scientific breakthroughs through enhancing and strengthening science and technology research and related programs at the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST) and to empower Americans to support the sustainable development of Okinawa and deepen U.S.-Japan relations through OIST.
About the OIST Center for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence (C-Hub)
The Center for Professional Development and Inclusive Excellence (C-Hub) provides the OIST community with a centralized place where:
- faculty, students, postdocs, research staff, administrative staff, and administrative leaders can explore opportunities for personal and career growth;
- evidence-based practices and research are applied toward professional development to support all careers in a diverse, equitable, and inclusive climate;
- connections and collaborations can be created across and beyond the university.
C-Hub enacts its mission by engaging the diverse experiences, perspectives, and contributions amongst the broader OIST community to foster productive dialogue and exploration, and ultimately support OIST’s mission toward scientific and educational excellence.
About the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology Graduate University (OIST)
OIST is an interdisciplinary and international graduate school in Okinawa offering a 5-year PhD program in Science. In 2019 Nature Magazine ranked OIST as number 1 in Japan number 9 globally for scientific research quality. OIST was founded by the Japanese government to contribute to science and technology worldwide, attract leading researchers from Japan and abroad to conduct high-quality research, advance the development of a world-class research hub, and nucleate a knowledge cluster that will catalyze technology transfer and industrial innovation in Okinawa.
About The Wilbury Theatre Group
Winner of the 2018 National Theater Company Award from the American Theatre Wing, The Wilbury Theatre Group is a professional, nonprofit theatre company that engages our community in thought-provoking conversation through new works, reimagined classics and adventurous playmaking. We are idealistic, ambitious, and stubborn in our resolve to create theatre that entertains, enlightens, and inspires. For more information visit thewilburygroup.org.
About the UCR Science to Policy
Science to Policy at the University of California, Riverside, was founded on the idea that scientists can and should play a critical role in public policy. By hosting and supporting professional development opportunities on and off-campus, S2P's vision is to empower STEM graduate students and early career scientists to participate in science policy. Hands-on training for students to build experience and learn from public policy experts and policymakers are integral to this vision. Participating graduate students engage with practitioners at the highest level to understand local, state, and federal policymaking; to strategize the value of scientific input in policy making; and to garner professional development critical to careers in public policy.
About the Japan Foundation
The Japan Foundation is Japan's only institution dedicated to carrying out comprehensive international cultural exchange programs throughout the world. To cultivate friendship and ties between Japan and the world, the Japan Foundation creates global opportunities to foster friendship, trust, and mutual understanding through culture, language, and dialogue.
The Japan Foundation was established in October 1972 as a special legal entity supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. In October 2003, it was reorganized as an incorporated administrative agency. Based on a government endowment of 78 billion yen, the activities of the Japan Foundation are financed by annual government subsidies, investment revenue, and donations from the private sector.
For More Information:
OIST Foundation | www.oistfoundation.org
OIST C-Hub | https://groups.oist.jp/c-hub/about-c-hub
OIST| https://www.oist.jp
Wilbury Theatre Group | www.thewilburygroup.org
UCR Science to Policy | https://sciencetopolicy.ucr.edu
Japan Foundation | www.jpf.go.jp