Ranking Digital Rights is an official host organization for the Open Technology Fund’s 2017 Information Controls Fellowship, which considers applicants from a broad range of specializations and approaches to propose projects that would help “increase understanding of tactics used by repressive governments to censor and surveil the internet and mechanisms to overcome them.”
As a fellowship host, RDR welcomes applications from graduate students and seasoned researchers with backgrounds in computer science, engineering, internet and telecommunications law, or communications studies with a strong technical background. Projects should be directly related to RDR’s core mission, which is to evaluate and benchmark ICT sector companies on their respect for freedom of expression and privacy. At the same time, fellows should help to address new research questions, methodological problems, or advocacy opportunities not presently covered by the work of RDR’s core full-time staff. For example:
- Carry out a research project designed to help us to identify, develop, and test out changes to the Index research methodology to accommodate new types of companies or technologies;
- Carry out a research project to determine how the Index research methodology should be adapted to companies operating in a single country or region;
- Support a regional research partner in developing and piloting a national or regional version of the Index;
- Develop a research or technical testing project, using the Index data and findings as a starting point, to examine the impact of certain company policies among certain user communities, or to verify whether companies’ actual practices are consistent with their disclosed policies. Ideally the project could serve as a proof of concept for other researchers to emulate or expand upon;
- Work with NGO partners in a particular country or region to develop advocacy strategies using Index data;
- Develop new ways of sharing and using the Index data for advocacy through visualizations and other online tools.
Prior academic research experience or professional work related to freedom of expression, censorship, privacy, and surveillance in the ICT sector is important. Prior experience working collaboratively with teams and meeting deadlines is also important. International experience and ability to read at least one language other than English is a major plus.
The successful applicant will demonstrate a thorough understanding of the Ranking Digital Rights Corporate Accountability Index: its purpose, research methodology, advocacy goals, etc., and will clearly articulate how his or her skills and interests can concretely build upon the project’s methodology, research community, and outputs. We are a global project and proposals to work remotely for all or part of the fellowship are welcome when accompanied by evidence that the applicant has prior experience working remotely with people in other countries. When submitting a CV it will be useful if the applicant can include a list of appropriate references who can attest to their experience and track record.
Click here to learn more about the fellowship (including start times, fellowship length, different fellowship types, stipend, etc) and to apply through the OTF website.
