Alda Civic Science Fellow

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Communication, Public Health, Public Policy, or other social science-related field with a strong background in social science research.
• Three (3) years of full-time professional experience in science communication either as a scientist, social scientist, science communication practitioner, instructor, and/or science communication trainer.
• Knowledge of and experience with strategic communication, program design, or evaluation.
• Superior writing and oral communication abilities.
• Interest in and experience with linking communication research and practice.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing projects.
• Interest in advancing science communication as a strategic, ethical, and equity-oriented form of public engagement.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced Degree in Communication, Public Health, Public Policy, or social science-related field.
• Experience working in public affairs and strategic communication.
• Experience working with media relations, digital media, social media content, and/or video production.
• Depth of knowledge in the science of science communication.

Brief Description Of Duties

The Alda Civic Science Fellow in Strategic Science Engagement Systems will work to integrate strategy into science communication practice while maintaining commitments to ethical, equity-oriented, reciprocal, and respectful engagement. As a member of the Civic Science Fellows Program, the Fellow will become part of a network of early-career leaders working to catalyze progress toward a future where all people can shape science to expand its benefits and horizons. The Fellow will be embedded within the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, an internationally recognized leader in science communication research, training, and practice.

Strategic Science Communication Research, Discovery, and Needs Assessment

• Design and conduct interviews, focus groups, surveys, and/or related social science research activities with Civic Science Fellows, hosts, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Conduct landscape analyses related to strategic science communication and civic science practices.
• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data to identify practitioner needs, gaps, and opportunities for resource development.
• Synthesize findings into internal reports, presentations, or recommendations that inform project direction.
• Complete planned research activities according to project timelines and approved protocols.
• Produce high-quality summaries, analyses, and recommendations that inform toolkit/resource development.
• Deliver findings in formats usable by internal and external stakeholders.

Resource Development, Pilot Testing, and Project Delivery

• Develop practical strategic science communication resources, including toolkits, communication planning canvases, ethical reflection guides, audience insight templates, and evaluation tools.
• Translate research and scholarship into accessible, field-ready materials for civic science communication practitioners.
• Pilot tools and resources with Alda programs, Civic Science Fellows, and partner organizations.
• Gather feedback, assess usability, and revise materials based on stakeholder input and evaluation findings.
• Deliver project milestones and core fellowship products on schedule.
• Produce high-quality, evidence-based, user-friendly resources appropriate for broad dissemination.
• Contribute to completion of at least one major open-access toolkit/resource package or equivalent deliverable.

Civic Science Fellows Community Engagement and External Collaboration

• Participate actively in Civic Science Fellows shared learning and networking activities, including periodic convenings.
• Represent the Alan Alda Center within the national Civic Science Fellows network and at relevant meetings, conferences, or events.
• Build and maintain productive relationships with current and former Fellows, host organizations, and external collaborators.
• Share progress, lessons learned, and resources with the Civic Science Fellows community.
• Attend and engage consistently in required Civic Science Fellows activities.
• Maintain positive professional relationships with network partners and collaborators.
• Represent the Alda Center professionally and effectively in external settings.
• Contribute substantively to shared learning across the fellowship cohort.

Training, Program Support, and Dissemination

• Contribute to development and delivery of Alda Method trainings, workshops, and related programming.
• Support dissemination of fellowship outputs through workshops, presentations, written materials, or digital channels.
• Assist with translating fellowship work into formats useful for Alda Center participants, trainers, and external audiences.
• Collaborate with staff to integrate relevant strategic communication insights into Alda Center programming.
• Contribute meaningfully to workshop design, facilitation, and/or instructional materials.
• Participate in dissemination efforts that expand reach and adoption of fellowship outputs.
• Receive positive feedback from supervisors, collaborators, and program participants.

Special Projects

• Complete additional assignments in support of Alda Center strategic priorities.
• Contribute to emerging projects, special initiatives, or administrative tasks as needed.
• Participate in internal meetings, reporting, and project coordination activities.