We Are Hiring

About the Position

Housed within the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, the Institute for Data, Democracy, and Politics (IDDP) seeks to help society understand critical challenges that arise at the intersection of digital technology, media, and democracy, in turn informing sound policy solutions. IDDP is committed to supporting rigorous, evidence- based research that advances democratic values.

The Policy Fellow will serve as a strategic bridge between leading academic research and real-world policymaking. The Fellow will promote awareness of IDDP’s research and translate complex findings into actionable insights for federal and state policymakers, civil society leaders, journalists, and the broader public. The Fellow’s work will support the development of evidence-based policies that protect the public from online harms—including misinformation and disinformation, algorithmic amplification of harmful content, political manipulation, harassment, and emerging digital threats to democratic institutions.

In collaboration with IDDP leadership, the Policy Fellow will advance IDDP’s long-term strategic vision and visibility. This includes representing IDDP’s mission and research to a broad set of audiences, as well as planning and executing public-facing programming. The role will also entail regularly interacting with IDDP’s principal researchers and associated faculty to identify actionable insights to support the development

Job Responsibilities

Thought Leadership

Produce public-facing articles, summaries, op-eds, blog posts, and explanatory materials that make academic findings accessible to non-specialist audiences.
Identify the real-world implications, policy relevance, and the human impact of academic findings and develop framing strategies that maintain rigor while increasing accessibility and resonance.
Collaborate with IDDP and GW staff to amplify research through digital channels, media outreach, and public events.
Monitor policy developments related to online harms, platform governance, AI and democracy, election integrity, and digital civic engagement.

Research Translation & Policy Engagement

Translate IDDP research into accessible policy briefs, memos, fact sheets and talking points tailored to federal and state policymakers and public stakeholders.
Identify timely policy windows and proactively connect relevant research to ongoing legislative and regulatory debates and news events.
Develop clear recommendations grounded in empirical findings, with attention to constitutional, legal, and equity considerations.
Support faculty in preparing for congressional briefings, agency consultations, state legislative hearings, and public forums.

Partnership Development

Build and maintain relationships with congressional offices, federal agencies, state legislators, attorneys general, and relevant policy organizations.
Convene policy roundtables, briefings, and workshops to facilitate dialogue between researchers and decision-makers.
Serve as a liaison between IDDP faculty and external stakeholders seeking evidence-based guidance.

Internal Collaboration

Work closely with IDDP faculty and affiliated scholars to understand research findings and identify policy implications.
Contribute to strategic planning related to the Institute’s public engagement and policy impact goals.
Support grant proposals and reporting by articulating policy relevance and impact pathways.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with relevant staff at the current funding organization(s), the Knight Foundation, as well as potential and future funders.
Coordinate with IDDP leadership and relevant principal researchers to help facilitate collaborations with peer academic centers at other universities.
In coordination with IDDP leadership and relevant principal researchers, help facilitate collaborations with other GW projects, initiatives, centers, institutes, and programs.

Program Delivery

Organize symposia, conferences, panels, roundtables, and other gatherings of scholars, practitioners, non-profit leaders, philanthropic leaders, private sector leaders, and public officials.
Make the research of principal researchers and affiliated scholars accessible, impactful, and useful for relevant organizations and other stakeholders.
Ambassador for IDDP
Represent IDDP as an inspiring and credible ambassador with diverse audiences, including democracy leaders, tech policy leaders, policymakers, community partners, philanthropic leaders, media, funders, and other actors whose partnership will be integral in transitioning IDDP’s research and thought leadership into actionable policy change.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced degree (MA, M.P.P., M.P.A., or related field) in public policy, political science, law, communications, data science, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated expertise in online harms, democratic governance, technology, policy, or related fields.
Strong understanding of the social impact of modern digital technology.
Experience working with federal and/or state policymakers, legislative staff, regulatory agencies, or advocacy organizations or writing about issues relevant to those stakeholders.
Exceptional writing and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to translate complex research into clear, persuasive language.
Strong understanding of the U.S. policy landscape and the intersection of technology, media, and democracy
Experience planning and coordinating events and initiatives, including logistics, promotion, and outreach.
Experience building and maintaining good working relationships with diverse constituencies, stakeholders, and community partners, standing oral and written communication skills, including public speaking.
Ability to work both collaboratively and autonomously in an interdisciplinary academic environment.
Ability to combine strategic thinking with operational follow-through.
Ability to travel nationally and internationally from Washington, DC to represent IDDP as needed at conferences and stakeholder meetings.

For further information and to apply please visit: www.gwu.jobs/postings/125023