Deepfakes can jeopardise the 2024 elections?! + Workshop on Policy impact analysis+evaluation with the School of Policy and Governance!
Policy Post #140
Editor’s Note ✍️
Hello there,
Hope you’re well :)
This is Yash here. An increasingly common query one comes across these days is - “I’ve no background in Public Policy but want to transition to this space and build a thriving career here.” Here's some observations :)
So many of us find ourselves at a similar crossroad right? We lack a background in terms of formal Policy education. Or maybe have never worked in this space to begin with? Or have little awareness about the space overall.
In my many conversations with folks looking to make this shift to Public Policy, sometimes it even entails letting go of what are very successful career tracks for reasons to do with impact as well as interest! But like, how can one go about making such a career transition while either starting from the scratch or ensuring minimal disruptions?
There are no definitive answers, and I certainly do not have one. However, there are 3 specific paths I've noticed come up in every such conversation - which has usually worked out for folks making such a shift to the world of Public Policy, here goes!
1) Leverage existing skillsets - As an example, have worked in marketing all your life? Great! Why not try starting out with a role in Policy Comms and eventually make the shift to whatever niche it is within public policy you wish to explore? It'll align greatly with your existing skillsets and area of work, while also initiating the switch to the broader Policy space! Using your existing function, to switch into a new vertical essentially. We share crisp, concise content at The PolicyGram daily to help you learn this field and it's nuances better :)
2) Intern/Volunteer to build credentials - The rite of passage almost any graduate fresh out of college has to go through, only made easier for you. If you're a professional looking to make such a switch, you might find it easier to reach out to individuals/institutions and apply for opportunities to intern/volunteer in policy-relevant organisations. Moreover, with the post-pandemic mainstreaming of virtual internships/volunteering, you could do so alongside the existing full-time role! Public Policy India's website has a database of nearly 400 orgs hiring for Policy roles here :)
3) Acquire an academic background - To be honest, the easiest but also the trickiest way out. Easy in the sense it's broadly straightforward, getting an MPP/MPA degree and gaining that academic background/network. But also tricky since it'd most likely involve significant monetary and opportunity costs. Sharing a detailed essay on the different roles available in the broader policy space in India, skills needed for the same and how to go about landing these here!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on the above - anything I might have missed? Do comment/reply to this post and let us know :)
In this edition of The Policy Post, we cover:
🔹 A look into how deep-fakes have infiltrated politics and elections in India.
🔹An interesting op-ed on technology policy through the lens of Market Failures and Innovation systems.
🔹An exciting civic participation opportunity, the MPAI Fellowships and an enriching workshop with the School of Policy and Governance!
🔹Volunteer to be a policy community chapter leader in your city!
🔹Our weekly curation of some of the best jobs, internships, essays, podcasts, career resources etc. from the world of Policy in the week gone by.
Do consider supporting PPI by buying us a coffee (or two!) here, if you find our work to be of value :) With that, we bring to you: Policy Post #140!
- Team PPI
This Week’s Policy Focus 🔎
Digital Media Experts have noted Meta and Google’s new regulatory policies mandating political parties to disclose the use of AI in digital election campaigns may not curb the use of deepfakes, since users may not grasp the disclosure and fine print.
Policy Charcha 💬
The best Podcasts, Videos, Essays and Fellowships from the world of Policy and Governance for this past week!
🎥 Video: How was Delhi's EV Policy formulated?
📝 Op-Ed: Thinking About Technology Policy: ‘Market Failures’ versus ‘Innovation systems’
🔔 Weekly Opportunity Highlight: Youth Fellowship by Praja Foundation
🔎 Databases and Guides: Click Here!
Course Spotlight✨
Mastering Policy Impact Analysis + Evaluation by the School of Policy and Governance!
The School Of Policy & Governance is an institution out to prepare leaders in the Global South for solving public problems. They’re conducting a two-day online executive workshop for Students, Policymakers, Analysts, and Non-Profit Professionals and we’ve tied up with them for a scholarship for our community!
👉🏽Understand evidence-based policy evaluations
👉🏽Explore data types & stakeholder strategies
👉🏽Master policy impact evaluation methods
🕰️ 24 & 25 February 2024| 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
📍Online | INR 2,860
Psssst - We’ve partnered with the SPG for an exclusive discount on the workshop. Participants signing up through PPI can use the code "PPISPG", to avail INR 500 off!
Civic Participation Highlight📢
People’s Demands to ‘Make Parliament Great Again’
👉🏽Help endorse these demands to push political parties to include these in their Manifestos for a healthier, better functioning Parliament that works for everyone. You can sign up to endorse below!
Read the research note here.
Fellowship Alert🔔
Digital Fellowship by Merchant Payments Alliance of India (MPAI)
👉🏽3-month fellowship with the opportunity to interact with some of the leading Indian practitioners and private sector representatives in the digital payments space.
🕰️ Apply by 18th Feb, 2024 | 📍New Delhi
📢Introducing Policy Communities!
Psst! We’re also looking for volunteers to help lead and grow these city chapters.
Join our WhatsApp Communities through the links below 👇🏼
Ahmedabad | Bangalore | Bhopal | Chandigarh | Chennai | Delhi | Hyderabad | Jaipur Kolkata | Lucknow | Mumbai | Pune | Thiruvananthapuram | Nagpur | Bhubaneswar | Guwahati | Visakhapatnam
Careers Corner 💼
A curated list of some of the best jobs and internship opportunities this week from the world of public policy, the development sector, impact consulting and communications at large.
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