GradFUTURES Science Policy Learning Cohort: 1. Why science policy and career paths

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy

Professor Jesse Jenkins and his ZERO Lab (Zero-carbon Energy systems Research and Optimization Laboratory) conduct research to improve and apply optimization-based macro-energy systems models to evaluate low-carbon energy technologies, guide investment and research in innovative decarbonization solutions, and generate insights to improve energy and climate policy and planning. The work is motivated by a desire to improve and support real-world decisions and accelerate the transition to clean energy. Jenkins will discuss how he selects research aimed at public impact and the strategies and efforts used to ensure the insights of his work find their way to the right decision makers. 
Speaker: Jesse Jenkins, Assistant Professor, MAE and Andlinger Center, GradFUTURES Faculty Fellow in Professional Development innovation

This event is part of the GradFUTURES Science Policy learning cohort in partnership with the Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). 

This event is also a part of the 2025 GradFUTURES Forum, hosted by the Princeton University Graduate School. The forum is a weeklong professional development conference for graduate students offering opportunities for meaningful professional growth and exploration of futures within and beyond the academy. With many inspiring keynote speakers, interactive workshops, career panels, and networking receptions, the 2025 GradFUTURES Forum is open to the broader graduate community at Princeton and beyond.

Sponsorship of an event does not constitute institutional endorsement of external speakers or views presented.

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy

Through guest speakers, case studies and immersive capstone, students will learn, discuss and investigate landscape and careers in science policy, at the federal and state levels. 

This cohort is in partnership with Center for Policy Research on Energy and the Environment (CPREE). Co-developed by Faculty Fellows in Professional Development Innovation and graduate students, this learning cohort leverages expertise of Princeton’s faculty, graduate students, staff and alumni, and external partners.

Learning Objectives
Participants of the GradFUTURES-C-PREE Science Policy Learning Cohort will learn and discuss the following:

The landscape of science policy- how scientific evidence informs and influences policy making, and how policies impact scientific research.
The systems, people and process policymaking at the federal and state levels including agenda setting and budget allocations.
How stakeholders or constituents can inform or influence policy agendas. 
Role of researchers in informing evidence-based science policy.
Pathways into science policy for scientists and scholars across public or private sectors. 
Visualizing ideas to actions through case studies, bills or acts passed (or failed to pass) at the federal or state level, and factors influencing outcomes. 
Imperative for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, social scientists, public and policy makers for successful science policy.
Effective communication skills to engage policy makers and constituents shaping science policy