Join the Science Policy Initiative (SPI) and PhD Plus for a policy-focused professional development event designed for graduate students and postdocs. This one-day workshop is free for all Virginia graduate students and postdocs across all disciplines and will take place from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm on October 5, 2026.
Registration for the Policy Bootcamp is now closed.
OVERVIEW
The 2026 Policy Bootcamp will take place on Monday, October 5, and begin with a welcome from incoming SPI Co-President, Isaiah Swann, MD-PhD candidate in the Medical-Scientist Training Program at UVA. An opening keynote from Lori McMahon, UVA Vice President for Research (VPR), and Lauren Posey, UVA Executive Director of State Relations, will then set the stage for the day by exploring why science-policy engagement matters, how universities engage with state government and policymakers, and how scientific expertise can contribute to public decision-making in the Commonwealth and beyond.
Building on this foundation, science-policy expert, K.L. Akerlof, GMU Associate Professor, Environmental Science & Policy Department, will lead a State Policy 101 session, introducing participants to the structure of Virginia state government and the policymaking landscape. Michael Maul, Director of Virginia’s Department of Planning and Budget will then provide a practical perspective on Virginia’s state budget process and the role of budgeting in translating priorities into government action.
The afternoon will shift from understanding the policy landscape to communicating effectively with policymakers, legislative staff, and policy professionals. Project Bridge will introduce storytelling strategies for communicating the value and impact of research, followed by Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg, UVA Assistant Director for Research Communication, who will guide participants through principles of science communication and the development of an effective policy pitch. Together, these two sessions will provide participants with practical tools for translating complex research for non-specialist and policy-focused audiences.
The event will conclude with a Policy SLAM Showcase, led by Rhoda Asiamah, PhD candidate in Chemistry at UVA, and Hanne Borstlap, PhD candidate in Environmental Science at UVA. Participants will receive live feedback on the clarity, accessibility, and effectiveness of their communication. Catherine West, UVA Director of Communications in the VPR office, K.L. Akerlof, and Sam Lake, UVA Director of Career and Professional Development, will serve as judges for the final activity.
Lunch will be provided for in-person participants and will include an opportunity for peer networking. All participants who would like to attend in person must register before 12:00 pm on Thursday, October 1. Virtual participants can register at any time before or during the event. This will help ensure the coordinators have an accurate list of all dietary restrictions and that all participants receive information on how to participate prior to the start of the event.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
This hybrid event will be held in person in the Language Commons (New Cabell Hall, Suite 298). Snacks, light lunches, and beverages will be provided for in-person attendees. If you are unable to attend in person, you are welcome to join us via Zoom. All interested participants must register to receive the Zoom link and instructions on how to join prior to the event.
New Cabell HallLanguage Commons, Suite 2981605 Jefferson Park Ave.Charlottesville, VA 22904
BOOTCAMP AGENDA
Monday, October 5
- 9:00 am Welcome & Introduction to the Policy Bootcamp
- 9:15 am Keynote Address - State University Relations: Engagement & Policy Priorities (Lori McMahon & Lauren Posey)
- 10:10 am State Structure 101: How Virginia's Government Works (K.L. Akerlof)
- 11:20 am Virginia's Budgeting Process: Nothing Happens Without Funding (Michael Maul)
- 12:15 pm Networking Lunch
- 1:00 pm Introduction to a Policy Pitch and Brainstorming Session (Rhoda Asiamah & Hanne Borstlap)
- 1:30 pm Effective Research Communication for Non-Research Audiences (Kendall Bromley, Jonathon Sewell, & Zoe Reich)
- 1:50 pm Building Your Policy Pitch Workshop (Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg)
- 2:40 pm Policy SLAM Showcase & Feedback Session (K.L. Akerlof, Sam Lake, & Catherine West)
FEATURED PRESENTERS & PANELISTS
PhD Plus and SPI at UVA will be announcing and sharing more information on all of the invited speakers, panelists, and moderators leading up to the event. Below is a short list of some of the speakers who will be leading sessions during the event (alphabetical order by last name).
- K.L. Akerlof, PhD | Associate Professor, Environmental Science & Policy Department, George Mason University
- Rhoda Asiamah | PhD Candidate and Science Policy Initiative Leadership Team, University of Virginia
- Hanne Borstlap | PhD Candidate and Science Policy Initiative Leadership Team, University of Virginia
- Kendall Bromley | PhD Candidate & Co-President, Project Bridge at UVA
- Sam Lake, PhD | Director of Career and Professional Development, University of Virginia
- Michael Maul | Director of Virginia Department of Planning and Budget
- Lori McMahon, PhD | Vice President for Research, University of Virginia
- Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg, PhD | Assistant Director of Research Communication, University of Virginia
- Lauren Posey | Executive Director for State Government Relations, University of Virginia
- Zoe Reich | UVA, PhD Student and Project Bridge Member
- Jonathon Sewell | PhD Candidate, Cell and Developmental Biology & Co-President of Project Bridge, University of Virginia
- Isaiah Swann | PhD Candidate and Science Policy Initiative Co-President, University of Virginia
- Catherine West | Director of Communications, Vice President for Research, University of Virginia
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The 2026 UVA Policy Bootcamp is co-hosted and supported by SPI at UVA and the PhD Plus program. We would like to offer our appreciation to the leaders of the Planning Committee for their effort in organizing this year's event, including (alphabetical order):
SPI at UVA
Rhoda Asiamah, Hanne Borstlap, Carreen de Cardenas, Julia Davis, Zach Dawson, Tim Ho, Olivia Morren, Maya Shields, and Isaiah Swann
Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Affairs, PhD Plus
Eniola Afolayan, Sam Lake, and Anne-Charlotte Mecklenburg
SPONSORING ORGANIZATIONS
Science Policy Initiative at UVA
SPI is a student-led organization empowering scientists and engineers to be more informed and involved in science policy. We seek to enhance awareness about fellowship and career opportunities, provide support and professional development events to prepare students and postdocs for careers in science policy; and facilitate community outreach that supports evidence-based policies.
PhD Plus
PhD Plus is a university-wide initiative to prepare graduate students and postdocs across all disciplines for long-term career success. Our goal is to enable versatile academics who are deeply engaged with society’s needs to become influential professionals in every sector.
