Josh Trapani, Policy Analyst & Communicator

About

My strength is distilling data and complex ideas to communicate clear insights. My expertise lies in science and technology, federal R&D, and higher education and workforce policy.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshtrapani/

Over the past 20 years, I’ve worked on Capitol Hill and at federal agencies, associations, and think tanks. Using a question-based approach to analysis and data visualization, I’ve thrived in advocacy-driven and rigorously nonpartisan environments.

I am an experienced magazine and book review editor. I’ve led the production of Congressionally mandated reports and authored essays, book reviews, and peer-reviewed papers of my own. I’m also a Pushcart nominated fiction writer.

Roles

Mar 2023–Present

Current role

Data Research Analyst

National Science Foundation (NSF), Directorate for Geosciences

Virginia

NSF is a federal agency that supports science and engineering research and education in all 50 states. I serve as the data and analytics officer for the Directorate for Geosciences.

• Use knowledge of NSF’s data structure, as well as tools like Tableau and SQL, to provide decision support to program officers and leadership. Enable storytelling about the impacts and outcomes of GEO-funded projects
• Establish and lead a GEO Evidence Community of Practice. Represent GEO on agency-wide and interagency analytics, evidence, and strategic planning committees and working groups
• Grow staff data and analytics skills and knowledge by leading trainings and creating SharePoint analytics hubs including tools, resources, and instructional text and video
• Supervise Ph.D.-level American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Fellow
• Awards and Honors: “Outstanding” performance review (2024), Director’s Award for Superior Accomplishment: Group (2024), Special Act award recipient (2 separate awards - 2024)