AUB’s Issam Fares Institute to host Google Policy Fellow

BEIRUT: The Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI) at AUB will be hosting the new IFI-Google Policy Fellow position for one year starting November 2019.

The selected fellow will research a wide range of related policy issues including Internet regulation, e-government, technology and development, social media, content oversight, data collection and privacy, and freedom of expression, according to IFI.

Dr. Nasser Yassin, IFI’s Interim Director, described this new fellowship as “an innovative project that responds to an emerging need in Lebanon and the region to advance our understanding of the growing sector of technology and the role it can play in how governments make better and more transparent decisions.”

He added that “collaborating with a multinational technology company such as Google is a great opportunity for the academic and technology worlds to meet and shape future policies related to the Internet.”

Throughout the program, the fellow will be expected to conduct policy research and analysis, draft reports and white papers, attend government and industry meetings, and participate in other advocacy activities, according to the Institute.

Selim Eddé, Head of Public Policy and Government Relations at Google MENA, said: “We’re very excited to announce our fourth Google Policy Fellowship program in the region. This program offers students and early-stage professionals the opportunity to spend time contributing to the public dialogue, and exploring future academic and professional interests.”

AUB noted that the fellow should be a graduate-level technology expert or an early-career social scientist who is passionate about technology and its impact on society.

The chosen candidate will produce knowledge on what shapes policies relating to and influencing discourse around technology in the MENA region; research how technology may help policy implementation and enforcement in middle-income countries like Lebanon (through e-governance, big data, etc.)

Additionally, they will provide insight on regulatory frameworks that create (or hinder) a policy savvy ecosystem; and research the importance of the technology field in employment and economic development, the school added. 

AUB said that interested candidates should apply no later than October 11, 2019. Applications must be submitted to Maysa Baroud at [email protected]