APPLY TODAY: ISPS Graduate Fellows Tackle Key Policy Issues with Innovative Research

How does skepticism of international engagement impact voter welfare and the behavior of political candidates?

What is the more effective intervention for improving attitudes and biases towards transgender people: spacing out the information or consuming it all at once?

How does workplace flexibility affect gender disparities in job sorting and pay?

What role might movies and TV shows have in shaping public attitudes towards abortion?

These are just some of the questions inspiring the research of the Institution for Social and Policy Studies (ISPS) graduate policy fellows.

“One of the aspects I love about this program is the breadth of subject matter these Ph.D. candidates are exploring,” said ISPS Director Alan Gerber, Sterling Professor of Political Science. “Every year, we are pleased to support ambitious researchers across disciplines through our graduate policy fellowship so that they can learn from one another, refining both the theoretical and empirical aspects of their projects.”

The program supports students with a $3,000 fellowship and up to $2,500 in research funding. Fellows undertake year-long research projects that address significant policy issues and develop the skills to translate their findings into policy recommendations. Past projects have included dissertation chapters, scholarly articles, and research papers.

The 2024 cohort includes 11 students studying political science, economics, history, public health, English, social psychology, and more.

Fellows participate in meetings every two weeks, where distinguished Yale faculty and guest speakers delve into topics pertinent to policy. These sessions also offer training in various skills, including crafting op-eds and policy memos, appearing in media, and blogging. As the year progresses, fellows showcase their research and receive constructive feedback from ISPS-affiliated faculty and fellow graduate students. Additionally, they get the chance to engage in policy-related projects in partnership with ISPS affiliates.

ISPS is currently accepting applications for fellowships that will run through the 2025 calendar year. Applications close December 20.