Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship welcomes seventh cohort 

BOISE, Idaho — Two scientists will bring their expertise to Idaho’s legislative and executive branches this year through the Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship (ISTPF).

The ISTPF, led by University of Idaho’s McClure Center for Public Policy Research, is a nonpartisan program that places scientists, social scientists and engineers in state government, each serving in yearlong assignments in executive branch agencies and the Legislative Services Office (LSO). The ISTPF is a partnership among Boise State University, Idaho State University and U of I.

First-year fellow Kerrick Robinson, Ph.D., will spend this year with the LSO. Second-year fellow Ryan Tarver, Ph.D., will work with the Idaho Workforce Development Council (WDC), building on his first year with LSO.

The two make up the ISTPF’s seventh cohort. The program has supported 12 fellows since it began, with 40% continuing to work in state government.

“We are pleased to welcome a new fellow to the Legislative Services Office,” said Jared Tatro, LSO Impact Review Team lead. “Fellows have brought creative thinking, extensive research skills and new tools to LSO; we are excited to add another fellow to the team and provide a unique opportunity to experience the policymaking process firsthand.”

Robinson is a natural resources social scientist. He was most recently a research scholar at North Carolina State University studying coastal and rural community dynamics. Robinson holds a doctorate in human dimensions of natural resources from U of I, a master’s degree in human dimensions of fisheries science from Oregon State University and a bachelor’s degree in environmental science, policy and management from University of Minnesota.

Tarver is a scientist who studies how people and natural resources interact. Before joining the ISTPF, he completed a postdoctoral research fellowship at Boise State. He earned a doctorate in environment and society at Utah State University and holds a master’s degree in cultural and environmental resource management and a bachelor’s degree in recreation and tourism management from Central Washington University. This year, he will be applying his data management and visualization skill set to the WDC’s programs.

“We are excited to welcome a second-year fellow to WDC,” said WDC Executive Director Wendi Secrist. “The ISTPF allows incredible talent to serve Idahoans through their unique skills and provides fellows with an opportunity to see the impacts of their work and connections to the broader Idaho community.”

“Boise State University, alongside Idaho State University and University of Idaho, has championed the Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship because of the benefits it brings to the fellows, the host offices and the greater Idaho community interested in science and technology policy,” said Boise State University President David Hahn. “It has been a win for Idaho, keeping our talent in state, bringing talent back to our state and providing additional capacity in state government.”

The ISTPF has raised nearly $2 million to launch and expand. For more information, visit uidaho.edu/mcclure-center/science-policy.

Media contact

Megan Foster 
Program director, Idaho Science and Technology Policy Fellowship
University of Idaho
208-364-4641
meganfoster@uidaho.edu

Stephany Galbreaith
Director of media relations
Boise State University
stephanygalbreaith@boisestate.edu

Miriam Dance
Associate vice president of marketing and communications
Idaho State University
208-282-4407
miriamdance@isu.edu