Policy Fellows Programme

The CSaP Policy Fellows Programme is intended to provide an insight into the role which the sciences and engineering can play in the formulation of public policy.

CSaP Policy Fellowships are for two years in the first instance. In the first year Policy Fellows will:

• spend one week at the CSaP participating in Centre Interest Group and other consultation meetings;
• attend pre-arranged meetings with senior academics;
• attend pre-selected lectures and seminars;
• work with the staff of the Centre and dine with Fellows in college (if college accommodation is chosen);
• have the opportunity to give lectures or seminars for appropriate undergraduate or postgraduate student groups.

At the end of the week Policy Fellows should have established a network of contacts within the University and beyond, and have gained fresh insight into the role that the sciences and engineering can play in the formation of public policy, especially in areas which are relevant to their work.

During the remainder of the year and the following year Policy Fellows will be invited to Centre Interest Group meetings, Centre consultation meetings and other Centre Events. By arrangement Policy Fellows may request a workshop to be held with colleagues to discuss a specific topic with members of Centre Interest Groups.

Who should apply?

The scheme is primarily intended for civil servants, elected officials and others directly involved in public policy. Applicants from other academic institutions and industry may be considered if the Visiting Fellows scheme is not appropriate for them. The scheme is extendable for a further two years by mutual agreement.

Once an application has been accepted, the Centre will suggest appropriate weeks based on occurrence of meetings and the availability of senior academics. Once the week has been agreed, the Centre will help to schedule the interviews with the senior academic staff, arrange for attendance at events and participation in Centre Interest Group and other meetings, provide details of potentially relevant lectures and seminars, and, if required, book college accommodation.

The CSaP Policy Fellows programme opened in March 2010 as a pilot scheme, and the first four Policy Fellows began their fellowships in May and June. The pilot will complete in October 2010, and will then be followed by a continuing programme. No charge will be made for Policy Fellowships awarded under the pilot scheme but the Centre reserves the right to make an annual charge for Policy Fellowships awarded thereafter.

To see a list of CSaP Policy Fellows, please click here.

How to apply

If you wish to apply for a Policy Fellowship, please provide the following:

• a letter setting out the reasons for the application, areas of interest, specific senior academics you would like to meet and weeks when you are available (please avoid the summer vacation);
  
• your CV;
  
• a letter of support from your organisation.
  

We will then consider your application and may ask you for an interview. If we accept you as a Policy Fellow we will jointly select the week for your visit and senior academics to see and make the necessary introductions. We will also book college accommodation if that is required.

For further information, please email: pfp@csap.cam.ac.uk