Mozilla Network Tech Policy Fellowship Advisory Board

Summary

Over the past decade, a growing number of tech and policy experts have been actively creating a policy and regulatory environment in government that has contributed to the health and openness of the Internet. The leaders of this work need support consolidate and document what has been learned -- and also need avenues to collectively build a new policy agenda based on that learning. With this in mind, Mozilla has initiated a fellowship focused on technology policy inside its Mozilla Network (MN). The fellowship program will bring together fellows and other tech policy experts to research, publish, teach, convene stakeholders, and participate in events.

Background

A number of tech policy professionals with experience in policy design, legislation and regulatory implementation have been at the forefront of securing the progress we have seen on issues that are critical to a healthier Internet. By creating a tech policy hub within the Mozilla Network, we support tech policy experts to collaborate, connect and accelerate their work and impact, including documenting their learning, developing future policy proposals and staying connected to each other.

Fellows will join Mozilla Network - a gathering place for people who understand that a healthy society relies on a healthy Internet. Members collaborate with their expertise and experience — in technology, in advocacy, in education or in art — to keep the Internet healthy. The tech policy hub will leverage the infrastructure of the network to run network-aligned activities including fellowships, residencies and events.

Program Opportunity

To achieve the objectives outlined above, Mozilla has created a fellowship program focused on technology policy, to complement its existing fellowship programs. Mozilla Network Fellowships present unique opportunities for professionals who believe in the mission of a healthier Internet. This particular fellowship will give tech policy professionals, including those who have left government, a chance to collaborate, connect and accelerate their work and impact, including documenting their learning, developing future policy proposals and staying connected to each other. These fellows will leverage the infrastructure of the network, and will participate in network-aligned activities including publication and events.

The program is global by design, ensuring that the analysis, reporting and documentation of lessons learned have global relevance and speak to a worldwide audience. In the first year, we are seeking a mix of fellows who have left or are leaving after having served in government in the US (up to five), and people who have recently served in governments in other parts of the world (up to five).

Goals and Objectives

Our aim is to grow the field of people developing policy that will keep the internet healthy. More specifically, these fellowships will help:

• Enhance the ability of the network to anticipate, understand, and analyze policy developments.
• Establish an active and vibrant community of tech policy professionals with interest in and commitment to internet health.
• Participate in thought-leadership work and communicate around internet health issues actively.
• Position Mozilla as a partner and support of other organizations working on similar open internet issues.

Of course, this initiative is also designed to help fellows advance more specific project and career goals that each defines for themselves. These projects should focus on the overall theme of internet health.

Advisory Board

The Mozilla Network Technology Policy Fellowships are guided by an advisory board/committee. The Advisory Board/Committee will (1) guide the focus of the fellowship program, together with the Sr. Fellow and (2) help attract further alliances, resources, and partnerships to the initiative.

The Advisory Board will meet twice per annum, supplemented, if needed, by a quarterly remote discussion.

Composition

• 5-7 advisory board members
• Appropriate balance of policy, regulatory and operational experience
• Min 40% representation from outside North America

Advisory Board Members Profiles

• Have deep exposure to government, policy and technology, in a visibly public role
• Are known and respected for their work and commitment to Internet Health
• Have a broad overview of technology policy across various issue areas, and ideally across multiple geographies