Deadline: March 3, 2021
Applications are open for the ARTICLE 19 Internet of Rights Fellowship 2021-2022. ARTICLE 19’s Team Digital is looking for one to two new fellows to join this cohort of the Internet of Rights (IoR) Fellowship. The IoR Fellowship will equip a diverse community of civil society advocates with the tools they need to carry out long-term engagement to set the technical policies and standards that define the global Internet.
The Fellowship runs for 12 months, beginning on April 1, 2021. During this year, fellows work closely with their mentor—a designated member of A19’s Team Digital. All fellows follow one of four tracks: Datafication, Privacy and Censorship, Business and Human Rights, and Connectivity.
This year, A19 is soliciting applications for the following track:
- Datafication: This is a research track that focuses on building evidence of the human rights impacts of data-driven infrastructure technologies including facial recognition, emotion recognition, and other biometric-based systems; the internet of things (IoT) and smart cities; and AI/ML-based networking. The IoR fellow(s) will work with A19’s Team Digital to research case studies and write reports of infrastructure deployments in localized global south contexts. Fellows will also present their work in Internet governance bodies such as IGF, and may also participate in technical standards communities such as the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).
Benefits
- The Fellowship will cover any costs associated with attending these meetings and/or conferences. During the 2021-2022 fellowship year, they do not expect any physical travel to attend meetings as part of the programme; all participation will be done virtually.
- Fellows are expected to commit to an average of eight hours per week engaging in forum-specific discussions, participating in working groups, and completing projects. In return, fellows will receive a monthly honorarium of USD 300 over the duration of their fellowship.
Eligibility
- Applicants from the global south, women, and other individuals that identify as part of underrepresented groups in Internet governance are especially encouraged to apply.
They are looking for the following qualities in fellows:
- Technical competence: While this may include knowledge of and experience in computer networking and protocols, systems design, and architecture, it is not necessary. They are looking for candidates who are capable of digesting complex or difficult concepts in technical policies or standards and explaining them to a wider audience.
- Some prior experience of participating in Internet governance bodies, and/or in-depth knowledge of the Internet governance processes that are relevant to the applicant’s workplan proposal.
- Strong research, writing, and speaking skills in English. The program will be conducted entirely in English.
- A clear commitment to protecting and promoting human rights and Internet freedom.
Application
To apply, submit the following materials as a single .zip file to [email protected] by Wednesday, March 3:
- Curriculum vitae (CV).
- A statement of interest, indicating the following:
- How you intend to meet the goals of the Fellowship.
- A proposed 12-month workplan, including your key deliverables/outputs. (If you are selected, you will have the opportunity to revise this workplan; it is only requested at this stage to demonstrate your knowledge of the track you are applying for, internet governance, and human rights.)
- How you expect that these deliverables/outputs will create impact, in line with the goals of the fellowship and your selected track.
- How you expect that your project will help you sustain your participation in Internet governance beyond the life of the Fellowship.
- Contact information for two references.
For more information, visit Internet of Rights Fellowship.
