ChE in Context: A Perspective in Science Policy: From Capitol Hill to the UN | AIChE

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ChE in Context: A Perspective in Science Policy: From Capitol Hill to the UN

The ChE in Context
November
2025

As a chemical engineer and an environmentalist, I have always been curious about working in policy to effect change. This past year, I went on a journey to understand how chemical engineers can meaningfully engage in environmental policy. As part of this journey, I attended a federal policy bootcamp in Washington, DC, a state policy bootcamp in Sacramento, CA, and the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations at the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, Switzerland. This column reflects on these experiences and discusses how chemical engineers can get involved in policy.

Federal policy. The first stop on my policy journey was Washington, DC, in March 2025. Our bootcamp was centered around Capitol Hill, where congressional staff manage everything from drafting legislation to policy research. Some congressional staff are chemical engineers who work in Congress through science fellowships, becoming key technical knowledge sources for legislators. They interact with other congressional staff to create bipartisan solutions to pressing environmental challenges. They also field perspectives from STEM professionals in non-governmental organizations (NGOs), thinktanks, federal agencies, and even academics, to craft and revise a bill.

After experiencing “the Hill,” I recognized two main avenues for engaging in federal policy. The first avenue is more evident:...

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