2025 Environment and Policy Internships (EPIC): Environmental Working Group (EWG) - Environmental Health
Job Title: Environmental Health Fellow
Department/Team: Multidisciplinary team at the Environmental Working Group
Location: Washington, DC
Duration: 35-40 hours per week for ten weeks over the summer
Areas of Interest: Human health and the environment, consumer education, research and data analysis
About the Environmental Working Group:
The Environmental Working Group (EWG), a leading national nonprofit based in Washington, DC, is seeking a dynamic and innovative Environmental Health Fellow to join our multidisciplinary team. At EWG, our team of scientists, policy experts, lawyers, media specialists, development staff, and programmers collaborates to protect human health and the environment.
For over two decades, EWG has conducted original research, analyzing government data, legal documents, scientific studies, and our laboratory findings to uncover threats to public health and the environment. Our groundbreaking work has redefined the conversation on environmental health, driving meaningful change from households to Capitol Hill.
Position Description/Scope of Work:
You will gain valuable research experience in the environmental and public health fields while developing a deep understanding of how science intersects with advocacy and consumer education.
List of Potential Projects/Activities:
- Collaborate with EWG’s science team to investigate emerging environmental health issues.
- Review and analyze environmental health and exposure datasets.
- Assist with epidemiological investigations and exposure analyses.
- Prepare original research reports and articles on EWG research areas.
- Conduct database analysis and contribute to the development of research databases.
- Utilize EWG’s proprietary tools and publicly available datasets for research.
- Summarize the latest environmental health research to support the team’s initiatives.
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Example projects could include:
- Tap Water contamination analysis
- Trend watching in the personal care product space and ingredient use
- Consumer use trends using EWG databases
- Research on emerging pesticides and impact on public health
- Review of growing health disparities and demographics/exposure mapping
Desired Skills/Qualifications:
- Familiarity with basic statistical concepts or data analytics
- Accurate data acquisition and recording skills
- Proficiency in R or similar programming software for data analysis is highly desirable
- Strong ability to gather, analyze, and synthesize information from diverse sources.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging for different audiences.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and contribute to group projects.
- Self-motivated with the capacity to work independently on assigned tasks
- Commitment to EWG’s mission to protect public health and the environment
Join the Environmental Working Group and use your GIS expertise to create a healthier and safer world. Apply today!
Logistics:
- EPIC fellows are required to work full-time (35-40 hours per week) for 10 weeks over the summer, and will receive a stipend of $8,000 - $9,500, depending on financial need. This stipend is intended to help cover living and transportation expenses during the fellowship, which the student is expected to arrange and coordinate.
- Start and end dates are flexible (start date no later than July 7, 2025).
Eligibility:
Stanford undergraduates from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply, and applicants may vary in academic interests, public service involvement, and experience. Learn more about our previous EPIC cohorts! Students must be enrolled for winter and spring quarters of this year and be in good academic standing to be eligible for a fellowship. Applications will only be accepted from students who will be enrolled as undergraduates for the following academic year, so unfortunately, graduating seniors cannot apply. The one exception to this rule is seniors who will be working toward a co-term degree during the following academic year. Co-term students must be in the undergraduate billing group in spring quarter. Please refer to the Haas Center for Public Service's website for additional Cardinal Quarter Undergraduate Fellowship Program Policies and Requirements.
Note: students are only eligible for one Stanford-funded full-time experiential learning opportunity during the summer, and are not permitted to engage in another full-time internship, job, coursework, or volunteer opportunity. Students are responsible for arranging and paying for their own housing and transportation during the fellowship.
Requirements:
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Spring Quarter:
- Commit to working full-time (35-40 hours week) for 10 consecutive weeks
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Complete an online program orientation through the Haas Center for Public Service
- This will include designing a personal learning plan that you will share with your site supervisor and academic mentor
- Complete the Engaging in Ethical and Effective Service in-person workshop or worksheet
- Meet with your assigned Stanford academic mentor at least once prior to the start of the fellowship (more check-ins during and after your experience are encouraged)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in spring quarter, as your schedule allows
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Complete and submit all required forms and paperwork
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Summer Quarter:
- Engage in your full-time fellowship (starting no later than July 7, 2025; exact start date to be determined with your site supervisor)
- Attend EPIC cohort building events and activities in the summer, as your schedule allows
- Submit a mid-summer evaluation
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Submit a final project report, complete a program evaluation, and correspond with donor(s) as requested by program staff
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Fall Quarter:
- Debrief with your academic mentor at least once
- Attend a de-briefing meeting for the purpose of reflecting upon and evaluating summer experiences
- Participate in outreach activities to share your experiences and help publicize the program
