The Converging Risks Lab of the Council on Strategic Risks is pleased to announce a call for applications for its inaugural Ecological Security Fellowship, as part of its broader Ecological Security Program.  

Tackling complex, converging risks arising from ecological change requires the development of resilient leaders spanning international, national, state, and local levels.  This program will familiarize participants with novel ways of conceptualizing the security risks posed by ecological disruption driven by human activities, climate change, and other stressors. Participants will acquire expertise and build professional development through research, analytic writing, and networking with experts and practitioners in different areas of the world.  

A key aspect of the fellowship program will be opportunities for the fellows to take part in an intergenerational “lessons learned” dialogue aimed at helping rising leaders “backcast” from 2040 what they need to do now to prepare for coming ecological security risks. The Fellows, working with CSR’s program leaders, will engage with current practitioners (e.g., mayors, federal and state government officials, NGO directors, etc.) who have navigated the crisis years of 2020-21—where in many locales climate, ecological, and health risks converged in unprecedented ways. We will ask current leaders to reflect on the year 2000 and what they wish would have been done differently to prepare for today’s shocks. Fellows will compile these findings into a “lessons learned” report.  

The program will run for twelve months from approximately April 2022-April 2023. Fellowship events will be held virtually, with the possible option for some in person gatherings as health and safety conditions permit. 

To Apply:

Eligibility Requirements:

The Ecological Security Fellows Program is open to applicants with 5-10 years of work experience and/or a graduate-level in a relevant field, and a proven interest in pursuing a career in which they can incorporate issues related to ecological security. Fellows must be fluent in written and spoken English. 

Location:

Fellows can be located in any geographic location with strong Internet access for conducting regular video conferences.

Application Requirements:

All applicants should complete an application form at this link and provide a resume, cover letter, and a short response (400 words max) to the following prompt: Describe an ecological security risk you are particularly concerned about and why it matters to global security. 

Applications are due by 5:00 pm EST on March 8, 2022.

CSR is an equal opportunity employer. We will not discriminate and will take affirmative action measures to ensure against discrimination in employment, recruitment, advertisements for employment, compensation, termination, upgrading, promotions, and other conditions of employment against any employee, job applicant, subcontractor, prospective subcontractor, volunteer or prospective volunteer on the bases of race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.