GSA Establishes Policy Internship in Memory of Greg O’Neill
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For Immediate Release |
Contact: Todd Kluss |
The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) has announced the establishment of the Greg O’Neill Student Policy Internship. This new professional development opportunity for emerging scholars in the aging field is named in memory of Greg O’Neill, PhD, a scholar himself and long-time GSA staff member.
O’Neill enjoyed a 20-year career at GSA. He joined the staff in 1998 as a research associate and served in multiple roles related to research, policy, and practice gerontology. He had a passion for policy and led GSA’s nonpartisan public policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, for many years.
“Greg was a well-recognized scholar in the aging policy arena, universally respected for his keen insights and appreciated for his always positive disposition,” said GSA CEO James Appleby, BSPharm, MPH.
During his long tenure with the Society, O’Neill served as managing editor of GSA’s policy journal, Public Policy & Aging Report, and the go-to person for Capitol Hill staffers working on aging-related issues. O’Neill led many of GSA’s research projects, including work related to civic engagement, social isolation, and senior entrepreneurship. In addition, he was the founder of GSA’s Aging Means Business initiative, a communications venture spotlighting breakthrough ideas, innovations, and strategies for the 50+ market.
O’Neill earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology and biomedical ethics from the University of Toronto, and his PhD in sociology with a concentration in population studies from Duke University, where he studied with many GSA members.
About the Internship
With American society experiencing a demographic transformation as the population ages, the development of sound policies that enable older individuals to live longer, healthier lives and to fully participate in society is more critical than ever. This internship will enable an emerging scholar in the aging field to immerse themselves in aging-related policy development and experience this process at the national level.
Internship duties and opportunities include:
- Attending congressional hearings
- Researching and analyzing issues that impact older individuals
- Meeting with federal regulatory agencies and national coalitions
- Monitoring legislation and regulations
- Contributing to GSA’s Public Policy & Aging Report
- Developing policy sessions for the GSA Annual Scientific Meeting
- Drafting communications
- Attending networking events with GSA staff
The internship term runs for eight weeks, from early June through early August, with flexible start dates. The selected candidate will receive a stipend for this internship.
Qualifications
To qualify for the internship, applicants must be a current gerontology or aging studies-related student enrolled at an accredited institution of higher learning with an exceptional academic record. Applicants should have a strong interest in policy, legislative, and regulatory affairs. Preference is given to those applicants who have actively participated in GSA-related activities and who possess strong organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
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The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) is the nation's oldest and largest interdisciplinary organization devoted to research, education, and practice in the field of aging. The principal mission of the Society — and its 5,500+ members — is to advance the study of aging and disseminate information among scientists, decision makers, and the general public. GSA’s structure also includes a policy institute, the National Academy on an Aging Society, and an educational unit, the Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education.
