The Sydney S. Spivack Program in
Applied Social Research and Social Policy

Deadline: February 1st

CONGRESSIONAL FELLOWSHIP

The ASA encourages applications for the Congressional Fellowship. The Fellowship brings a PhD-level sociologist to Washington, DC, to work as a staff member on a congressional committee or in a congressional office. Some congressional agencies may allow fellow placements as well. This intensive six month experience reveals the intricacies of the policy making process to the sociological fellow, and shows the usefulness of sociological data and concepts to policy issues.  

The 1996 fellow, Richard Gelles, said of the fellowship, "This is the most meaningful professional experience I have had in the past 20 years." Gelles worked with the Senate Subcommittee Youth Violence, Chaired by Senator Thompson (R-TN), on the re-authorization of the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Act. He also worked as a member of the House Subcommittee on Human Resources writing critical legislative reports about child welfare legislation.

Each applicant should have a general idea about the area of interest, some experience in client-driven work, good writing skills, and a commitment to the policy process. It is helpful to investigate some placement possibilities in advance, or to suggest some in the letter of interest. The application should highlight the link between one's sociological expertise and a current policy issue. Be sure to specify the time span available to do the fellowship placement.

ASA will join with other associations' congressional fellows to offer orientation, meetings, and support for the person selected. The person will work closely with the ASA's Spivack Program on Applied Social Research and Social Policy, with possibilities for congressional staff or press briefings, public speaking, writing issue papers, and other opportunities.

The 2004/05 Fellow, Tomas Jimenez, worked for Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) on immigration and poverty issues. The 2005/06 Fellow was Erma Lawson, University of North Texas, who worked for Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX). Rebecca Sager, worked for Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA), as ASA's 2006/07 Fellow.  Elisabeth Jacobs, a Harvard University PhD, is the 2007/08 Fellow and works for the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. Sada Aksartova, George Mason University, is the 2008/09 Fellow.

The Fellowship is funded by the American Sociological Foundation and is part of the Spivack Program in Applied Social Research and Social Policy.

The stipend for the Fellowship is $20,000 for six months and $30,000 for 11 months. (The Fellow is not an ASA employee and thus there are no additional benefits, including health insurance.)

No letters of reference are needed, but graduate students finishing their PhDs must have a letter of recommendation from their advisor speaking to their progress and likelihood of meeting the requirement of PhD in hand before the fellowship period begins.

Materials must be postmarked or emailed by February 1. Send a completed application and a vita to:

ASA Congressional Fellowship
1430 K Street, NW  Suite 600
Washington, DC 20005
(202) 383-9005;
spivack@asanet.org