Student researchers use their expertise to contribute toward developing a policy agenda in a state legislator’s office, thereby gaining hands-on experience in bridging the gap between theory and practice at the state level. Students attend policy meetings with legislators and policy directors, watch legislative sessions and track bills to frame research activities that will assist in developing legislation from the ground up. In addition to research support and supervision from state policymakers, student researchers take part in seminars and professional development activities at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus.

The aim of the Policy & Research Legislative Fellows Program is to provide graduate students with:

First-hand experience and insight into the fast-paced legislative environment and law-making process
An understanding of how to connect research to real-world policy applications
Legislative and policy writing skills
Exposure to different policy and research areas that will help students evaluate their career interests and plans