The Japan-U.S. Science Communication and Policy Fellowship promotes meaningful cooperation between the two countries on global challenges by bridging a critical gap between science and policy. The first cohort of early career scientists from across the U.S. and Japan participated in virtual workshops for nine months before meeting in Okinawa, Japan, for the inaugural symposium. Notably, five S2P alumni were part of the inaugural cohort—Agnes Varghese, Lilian Azer, Sarah Bobardt, Jenna Roper, and William Ota.
During this 3-day symposium, the fellows heard notable talks from the US Consul General of Naha, Japan, Matthew Dolbow, Professor Yuko Kakazu, astronomer and public outreach specialist at the Subaru telescope, and Dr. Richard Dasher, director of the US-Asia Technology Management Center at Stanford. The fellows also presented a 4-minute policy pitch they developed during the program. Topics ranged from solar panel recycling practices to elderly care.
This program is a collaboration between UCR Science to Policy, OIST C-HUB, and the Wilbury Theater Group and was funded by The Japan Foundation.