• Build your network: RMP@SFU is an opportunity to cultivate your network of policy makers and connect with a cross-disciplinary cohort of SFU peers interested in climate and sustainability.  
• Develop your communications expertise: Academic writing and presentation conventions are not conducive to informing different audiences of your research. In this program you will learn how to engage, speak, and write for policy makers and peers in other disciplines.
• Gain transferable skills: Being able to connect and engage across sectors and disciplines will contribute to success in work environments inside and outside academia.
• Get recognized: All fellows who participate in the RMP@SFU summer institute will obtain a certificate of completion.

The institute will include experiential learning opportunities, such as developing and sharing key messages, writing, and presentations.

SFU experts will facilitate learning about topic of the day, followed by presentations from BC policymakers.

• Day 1 | Who, what, when and where is policy: Learn the basics about policymaking and develop skills mapping your policy landscape and identifying your policy audience.
• Day 2 | Listen-in--Connecting with your audience: To make an impact, you must first understand your audience. Learn how to listen, reflect, understand, and integrate your audience's perspectives into your activities.
• Day 3 | Writing for policy makers: Academic writing is not suited for communicating with policymakers. Learn why and how to write popular non-fiction, and how and when to write for a policy audience (writing policy briefs, identifying policy windows, and linking to policy directives).
• Day 4 | Getting the media involved: Public engagement can garner policy makers' attention on a topic or issue. Learn how to write and interview for traditional media, develop speaking points, and address challenging media situations. 
• Day 5 | Celebration of learning: 2 minute presentations - share how you can integrate your learnings in your research. Give and receive peer feedback and receive feedback from your facilitators.

Who should apply?

Post doctoral fellows and graduate students at SFU who are interested in making a policy impact and available to attend the full week of the institute.

All graduate students are welcome to apply but priority will be given to applicants that are farthest along in their program.

When to apply?

Applications open yearly in spring (March or April) and close at the beginning of May.

How to apply?

Application information will be available on this page during application period.