Comments from Congressional Fellows

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Congressional Fellows work as resident child development scholars in the office of a Senator or Representative. Past Fellows have also worked as staff on Congressional committees that deal with issues concerning children and families. Although the responsibilities of each Fellow varies by office, past Fellows have worked on drafting legislation, bringing research to bear on re-authorization of programs or appropriations, and advising members of Congress through research that bears on both local and Federal programs and services affecting children, youth and families.

Please read what our Former Congressional Fellows have said about:

Closing the gap between Congress and the field of child development:

• “I believe that my placement benefited from me bridging the science-policy gap by connecting the staff and the Senator to many of the leading researchers and groups in the field. Now that they have made connections, I hope that the staff and Senator will utilize these researchers as the ‘go to’ people.”
• “Research is used and valued by both staff and Members of Congress, and is without question an important basis for policy, but it is neither the only nor the most important basis. Having fellows in offices continues to give research the emphasis it deserves. (The politics will take care of themselves.)”

The need to produce research that is useful to policymakers:

• “We have to work at making our findings relevant and understandable… if we don’t do it, others who are less qualified will usurp our places as advisors.”
• “The science community would be wise to incorporate cost-benefit analyses in their research… and… researchers need to collaborate with researchers from other disciplines… to understand development in context. This approach would yield valuable information that could be used by policymakers.”
• “This year has changed my perspective as a scientist. I really see the critical importance of dissemination. We must do better at informing the public, in a responsible way, of our work. We must also work to create the kind of demand for that knowledge in those who make policy decisions.”

Learning the dynamics of policy-making:

• “I got an insight into how things work, in a way not possible by reading about it. I was in it.”
• “There’s nothing to replace [the fellowship], to provide this knowledge. I’m convinced you cannot teach this stuff through lecture or a text.”

Acquiring the skills necessary to be an effective voice in the policy process:

• “I have learned that it is important to listen, educate, and persuade, and to know the goals of your audience… it is important to be respectful and forceful at the same time.”
• “The Fellowship is the only opportunity which allows you to learn about policymaking by doing and being an active participant; it is truly an instructive experience since it is constructive; [an] exceptional applied learning experience.”

How the Fellowship reinvigorated their career:

• “This year has also done exactly what I wanted it to in terms of my career. I came into this wanting to shift from the academic research world to the policy-oriented research world… the fellowship has helped me achieve this”
• “I was getting to the end of useful motivation in a university; my heart was telling me I could do more than write the next article… the fellowship provided a framework to try out policy safely, without sacrificing or cutting [myself] off from [my academic position].”
• “Now I can ask the policy questions, not just the research questions.”
• “I…made connections on and off the Hill that will serve me well in my future career as a policymaker.”

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