Where are they now? Find out how the Knauss Fellowship helped shape the career of ’95 alum Eric Jay Dolin

Eric is an author of twelve books on American History.During his undergraduate studies at Brown University Eric quickly realized that although he loved learning about science, he wasn’t interested in a research career. He shifted course, turning toward the field of environmental policy, first earning a double-major in biology and environmental studies, then getting a masters degree in environmental management from Yale, and a Ph.D. in environmental policy and planning from MIT, where his dissertation focused on the role of the courts in the cleanup of Boston Harbor. During his career he has held a variety of jobs, including stints as a fisheries policy analyst at the National Marine Fisheries Service, a program manager at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an environmental consultant stateside and in London, an American Association for the Advancement of Science writing fellow at Business Week, a curatorial assistant in the Mollusk Department at Harvard’s Museum of Comparative Zoology, and an intern at the National Wildlife Federation, the Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management, and the U.S. Senate. “Throughout my career, one thing remained constant–I enjoyed writing and telling stories. And that’s why I started writing books–to share the stories that I find most intriguing. I have also published more than 60 articles for magazines, newspapers, and professional journals”Eric was an Executive Sea Grant Knauss Fellow in 1995. What was your fellowship placement?NOAA, Office of Policy and Strategic Planning How did the Knauss Fellowship help you in your career?It gave me my first experience working for the federal government, which helped me decide that I would like to continue working for the government on environmental/natural resource issues. What is one of your favorite memories from your fellowship?Working with Dr. Jeffrey L. Payne, who was the Deputy Director of the Office of Policy and Strategic Planning, on writing justifications for the NOAA budget to Congress. It was an interesting project, but the best part was working with Dr. Payne, who showed me what it looks like to be a conscientious, knowledgeable, and effective civil servant.