With tongue firmly in cheek...

By Desmond Saunders-Newton, 2000-01 AAAS fellow at the U.S. Department of Defense, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense, Advanced Systems and Concepts

With tongue firmly in cheek, I have often stated that my decision to accept an AAAS Defense Policy fellowship reflected a leap of faith wrapped in the more comforting logic of rational choice. At the time, my professional and research focus seemed fairly distant from the realm of national security policy, and the thought of a mid-career break was daunting for a number of personal and professional reasons. But my fellowship experience proved nothing less than an exceptional experience. It provided me with a unique opportunity to return to national security policy after a nearly 7 year hiatus from the field, synthesize over 10 years of disparate research endeavors, and become intimately involved in the creation of a new technology focus area in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

As a mid-career Fellow, I was somewhat concerned about my relative role in the office. I had worked as a senior researcher and manager for a number of years, and did not want to be in an environment where I would be treated as an intern. Fortunately, upon arrival, the senior staff embraced me as a member of the program management team and handed over to me a number of multi-million dollar programs. I handled projects that focused on bio-chemical warfare detection and communication systems that enabled better operations with our allies. I was the member of a team that attempted to institutionalize a new method for acquiring commercial R&D products for the Department of Defense.

In addition, my mentor, the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense, not only used me as his Science Advisor, but handed me the responsibility of creating a new research initiative in the area of Computational Social Science modeling. This new research initiative not only involved organizing an international conference on anticipating and understanding societal instability, but the development of an innovation network composed of academics, professional consultants, and military analysts and operators. These various activities allowed me to develop program management skills, and to experience firsthand the joys— and challenges—of being entrepreneurial in an extremely large organization.

I was able to bring a number of hard-earned competencies to bear on issues of science and technology policy and management. Moreover, I was surrounded by some of the most enthusiastic professionals I have ever had the pleasure of working with. It was clear that this group suffered from no bureaucratic malaise, and it was infectious. I was managing high-profile efforts, and they affirmed my efforts by helping me get smarter in the areas of program management. I like to think that their tutoring sessions paid off since I was awarded an AT&L Performance Award, and was able to establish a spin-off program in Computational Social Science Modeling at the National Defense University’s Center for Technology & National Security Policy.

My fellowship year turned out to be an amazing experience, and allowed me to commence upon a new, yet familiar, career path. I recommend it highly as an option worthy of consideration, even for folks already established in a current professional field.

The author served as a Defense Policy Fellow from 2000 to 2001. He received his PhD in Policy Analysis from the RAND Graduate School and is currently a Senior Research Fellow in the Center for Technology & National Security Policy of the National Defense University and a visiting associate professor at the University of Southern California.
 

Potential applicants for the AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Programs often ask how they would transition from academia or industry into the policy world once they receive a fellowship. AAAS provides an outstanding orientation program, which is the first step of the transition. This month, the 2002-03 Fellows are convening daily for two weeks to hear accomplished speakers provide a first-hand introduction to how Washington works. Fellows also will participate in interactive workshops to facilitate learning about foreign policy and the federal budget. Altogether, the orientation offers 150 speakers and three simultaneous programmatic tracks to provide a broad foundation for the fellowship year.  
Claudia J. Sturges - Director, AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program

Disclaimer: The perspectives and opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of AAAS, the Science & Technology Policy Fellowships, the U.S. Government, or the federal agencies/offices mentioned.