2020 Knauss Fellows Learn to Work Remotely on Capitol Hill

2020 Knauss Fellows Jennifer Joseph (left) and Samuel Fielding

Even amidst a global pandemic and having to learn a new job while working remotely, Samuel Fielding and Jennifer Joseph were able to gain valuable experience during their year on Capitol Hill as part of their Dean John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellowships.

 Fielding, a doctoral student in the University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy, was placed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in their Engineering with Nature Initiative. That initiative seeks to align engineering objectives, such as flood control or storm risk reduction, with natural processes.

“As a doctoral student in the marine policy program, my focus has been on coastal hazards and how communities address coastal hazards,” said Fielding. “Part of my interest is looking at living shorelines and using nature to alleviate flooding and storm risk so this was complementary in its objectives to my academic interests.”

During the fellowship, Fielding was involved with different projects that called upon his expertise in economics and social sciences. He conducted research on how to better incorporate natural infrastructure into the Army Corps planning process, and how to better account for the benefits of these projects, specifically expanding the typical cost-benefit analysis.

He also coordinated with other universities to set up partnerships for a new research center focused on natural infrastructure, and he conducted research that looked at the barriers and enabling factors behind the financing of these projects.

Fielding said it was beneficial to get exposure to federal agency work and that he was able to expand his contacts and network while also having the chance to contribute to some of the back-end work, such as preparing memos and technical notes, to help with the government workflow.

“I was able to get hands-on experience as to what the Army Corps does and all of the different actors involved in this field,” said Fielding. “Being able to meet and talk with experts in the field and see how these projects take shape and get implemented was great.”

Joseph, who received her master of science in marine bioscience from UD, worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in their Congressional and Legislative Affairs Office. The office serves as the liaison between the Fish and Wildlife Service and Capitol Hill, with people in the office covering different programs.

Joseph worked in the fish and aquatic conservation program covering topics such as hatcheries, invasive species and the wildlife and sport fish restoration program.

She also worked with Science Applications, a science support program, which handles climate change work, at-risk species and pollinators among other topics, contacting congressional staffers and answering inquiries that came into the office.

During placement week, where fellows get matched with government agencies, Joseph had 16 interviews and chose this position because it allowed her to do a variety of tasks while also being exposed to high-level government work.

“I didn’t know a lot about how Congress worked so this position was a steep learning curve, but everyone in my office was super nice and it was a really good fit for me,” said Joseph. “I also thought this would broaden my career in getting exposure to both the federal government and Capitol Hill.”

Joseph saw how bills move through Congress and how federal agencies help by providing guidance and expertise on specific topics. If a bill was specific to her section of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, a congressional staffer might reach out for ways to improve the bill.

“I helped out with a couple of bills that were important to my programs on invasive species and the wildlife and sport fish restoration program,” said Joseph. “I definitely got an introduction into congressional procedures and legislation writing.”

While she only got to work in the actual office for a month before the pandemic caused her to switch to remote work, Joseph said that the Knauss Fellowship was still a phenomenal learning opportunity.

“It was a strange year, but overall, I had a great experience and met some really great people within the Fish and Wildlife Service,” said Joseph.