By KEN MILAM
EXPLORER Correspondent

Congressional Fellow

Member Gets 'Inside View'

Politics:
It Takes Individuals

What can geologists do when their professional interests and politics intersect?

AGI Legislative Fellow David Curtiss has some tips from a Capitol Hill perspective.

Letter-writing can be helpful, but personal involvement can be even more effective.

"Get to know your representative and his local staff. Become a trusted resource. We (U.S. Rep. J.C. Watts' staff) often talk to people in our district -- at the University of Oklahoma, for example" on technical issues.

"Let them know who you are."

Stay engaged.

The more you observe and learn about the political process, the more effective you can be at helping shape debates and outcomes.

Grassroots-level involvement is important.

Learn about local issues. Consider running for the local school board or other office. Scientific thinking and problem-solving can be valuable in tackling social as well as technical issues.

If you are interested in becoming involved full time, consider seeking a fellowship like the one held by Curtiss. Currently, six geoscientists are among some 39 science fellows on Capitol Hill, ranging in age from late 20s to 60s.

"Don't rely on the geoscience community to fight your fights," Curtiss said. " Each individual must make it happen."

-- KEN MILAM

Geoscientists are trained to deal with uncertainties, to work through problems where even massive amounts of data still refuse to point to a simple solution.

For AAPG member David Curtiss, that ability to pull together vague concepts is proving valuable in a location away from the usual geology job sites -- Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C.

Curtiss is the American Geological Institute's 2001-2002 Congressional Science Fellow, working in the office of Rep. J.C. Watts, R-Okla.

"My role is not to push an agenda, but to be a scientist in the office," Curtiss said.

And while Watts hails from an energy state, he also holds the No. 4 Republican leadership position in the House, meaning Curtiss is often asked for input in areas varying from cyber security to Third World indebtedness to home community renewal.

"You need to be a generalist," Curtiss said. "The scientific approach to problems is valuable."

With a master's degree in earth resources management, Curtiss was interested in how science, business and politics intersect in decision making. He applied for and was accepted for the fellowship, and interviewed for a spot in Watts' office.

For Watts, the "hook" was Curtiss' experience at the Energy and Geoscience Institute at the University of Utah, where a heavy emphasis is placed on applied research and international oil and gas issues.

"It's not an ivory tower," he said.

The experience on Capitol Hill has been eye-opening in many ways, and the political landscape has changed considerably since Curtiss' orientation, which coincided with the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

"Every issue now has a homeland security component," he said.

The House already had passed an energy bill when Curtiss arrived on Capitol Hill. But, he said, the measure should be moving to conferees to iron out differences between the House and Senate versions in the coming weeks.

The debate promises to be interesting, he said.

The question of opening Alaska's ANWR to drilling promises to remain contentious, he said.

Another critical issue is energy security -- how to encourage diversification of the nation's oil supply, Curtiss said.

Arriving at a final version that is "workable and beneficial," he said," ... is not going to be simple. 'Compromise' is not a dirty word."

Curtiss said he tries to make sure that science "is not used as a weapon" in different contexts.

"Good" science vs. "junk" science often depends on whose side you're on, he said.

"The objectivity that we as scientists proclaim really doesn't fit into the political calculations," he said.

Science is "rarely the primary determination," he said. Impact on constituents and a variety of other issues must be worked into decisions.

Watching from the outside, "Scientists have a hard time understanding how this (certain decisions) could happen," he said.

The cynical view of politics as "messy and mean-spirited" usually is not warranted, Curtiss said.

He said it is enlightening to watch House members "scrapping on one issue, and the next time you see them, they're collaborating."

Curtiss is one of six earth scientists on Capitol Hill, he said. Science fellowships in all total 39, he said.

After completing his fellowship, the 31-year-old Curtiss said he hopes to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

"I see this as a broadening experience -- learning how government operates," he said.

"I'm also helping support earth sciences."

The AGI fellowship ends in August, but Curtiss said he may apply for a four-month extension.

"One year on the Hill hardly seems enough."