FAQ

What are we looking for?

As fellows are paid through stipend, we are looking for fellows who will be committed to working through the finish of the project, when the final report is published. Fellows will be given ownership of the final product, so we look for those, regardless of major or year, who will take ownership of the project!

Can I apply as a non-policy person?

The goal of the fellowship is to create cross-major collaboration and thinking. For example, a social science major with no experience in AI should absolutely apply for the Bias in AI field, especially because sociological methodologies in thinking about AI are just as fundamental to the project as a data science foundation. We encourage all majors, not just to be inclusive, but because the creativity in diversity is a necessary part of our goals.

What is the commitment like?

Considering we are a student-run group with such a special opportunity to be funded by grant, it is expected that all GeoTech fellows work at least 5-8 hours a week with an intention of working from the start of the project to the finished final report.

Flexibility in hours worked based on personal situations is garunteed. The only requirement is that you are able to contribute meaningfully to the report and claim ownership of the final result.

Do I need to also apply to the Essay Contest?

No. They are not simultaneously required nor are they mutually exclusive. The Essay Contest guarantees a spot in future GeoTech projects, but it is encouraged that everyone who applies to the GeoTech fellowship this year also apply to the Essay Contest!

Interested in Joining the GeoTech Fellowship?

Application Deadline: CLOSED. We'll be coming back in the future with more oportunities soon!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to email Andy Shufer, the W&M Director for the GeoTech Initiative, and Pranav Pattatathunaduvil, the Yale Director for the Geotech Initiative, at axshufer@wm.edu and pranav.pattatathunaduvil@yale.edu, respectively. We hope to hear from you!

Our Philosophy

GeoTech's goal is to instill in students a degree of empowerment, confidence, and comfortability in approaching questions of technology policy. We want students to learn to trust in their own judgements. While we are a student-run lab that is also learning on the spot, our focus is squarely on this philosophy. That's why, within our current means, we aim to do whatever we can to pay our students, give them opportunities to lead research, encourage all ideas, and provide personal advice on careers and futures.