Kirsten Williams '23 MEM/JD will serve as an international and interagency ocean policy liaison for the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy as a 2024 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow.
From a young age, the environmental issues associated with fossil fuel extraction were visible to Kirsten Williams ‘23 MEM/JD. She grew up in the Pacific Northwest, under the shadow of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill that released 11 million gallons of oil into the Prince William Sound, eventually affecting 1.300 miles of shoreline and killing billions of salmon and more than 250,000 seabirds and other marine wildlife. That devastation spurred Williams’ desire to protect the nation’s marine resources and coastlines, specifically by practicing environmental law in the Pacific Northwest and the Arctic.
"I hope to work in spaces that allow me to advocate for sustainable, responsible, and just solutions to the state's most pressing ocean and coastal issues, including pollution, fisheries management, coastal development, and the threats of climate change,” Williams says. “Ideally, my work will include active community engagement and prioritize dialogue between traditionally siloed disciplines involved in high-level decision-making."
As a 2024 John A. Knauss Marine Policy Fellow, Williams aims to learn more about how federal agencies develop and implement national environmental solutions while balancing the needs of the many stakeholders who are reliant on coastal and marine ecosystems.
"The Fellowship is the ideal next step in my professional journey to build upon my existing skills from my joint degrees and gain new experiences in the field of marine policy. I am particularly drawn to the fellowship's emphasis on public service, hands-on experience in the federal policy arena, and opportunities to connect with other professionals in the field," says Williams, who was one of 84 graduate students chosen from across the country for a one-year paid fellowship in federal government offices in Washington, D.C.
Since its inception in 1979, the highly competitive program has provided career opportunities for 1,600 recent graduates from advanced degree programs to apply their scientific knowledge and experience to careers in science, policy, and public administration. Williams will be working in the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy. Each of the fellows is sponsored by one of the 34 programs in the national Sea Grant network according to where they obtained their advanced degree. Connecticut Sea Grant will sponsor Williams and two other early career marine science and policy professionals.
Daniel Esty, Hillhouse Professor of Environmental Law and Policy, says Williams exemplifies YSE’s commitment to advancing environmental stewardship and policy innovation.
“Kirsten’s dedication to environmental research underscores Yale's leadership in shaping environmental policy. I am sure that she will make significant contributions in the environmental arena in the years ahead," Esty says.
At the Office of the Oceanographer of the Navy, Williams will serve as an international and interagency ocean policy liaison, working closely with the Naval Deputy to NOAA and other departments within the office, including Ocean Policy and its Interagency Coordination Branch.
My time at YSE emphasized the importance of making space for difficult conversations, holding respect for differing views, and navigating such inevitable challenges with humility and consideration.”
“Federal agencies have the monumental undertaking of developing solutions that balance environmental and social goals at the national level. However, they also have to respond to the nuances of locality, economic circumstances, and political pressure at the regional level. It is messy and complex, but I am eager to contribute to this vital work," she says.
During her summer internship experience, Williams worked as a legal intern for Ocean Conservancy in its Anchorage office. There, she provided legal analysis to inform ocean policy by monitoring legislative and judicial developments, prepared internal memos, and researched a variety of marine environmental issues. She also worked as an onboard marine scientist in Washington state, instructing middle- and high school students in the scientific method, experimental design, and data collection. She has even worked as a commercial salmon fisherman in Kodiak, Alaska.
Williams credits YSE’s emphasis on experiential learning with giving her the tools to work effectively with a variety of stakeholders, and find common ground within an array of perspectives and interests.
"My time at YSE emphasized the importance of making space for difficult conversations, holding respect for differing views, and navigating such inevitable challenges with humility and consideration," she says.
