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Fall Research Opportunity with the Technology & Information Policy Institute at UT Austin

About the Technology & Information Policy Institute

Established in 1996, the Technology & Information Policy Institute serves to research imbalances and provide insights that inform public policies and programs focused on digital inclusion for everyone. Housed in the Moody College of Communication, the institute also investigates social impacts of digital media and entertainment such as immersive media, virtual reality, social media and digital games. In addition to sponsoring educational programs and conferences, the institute shares its world-class expertise in hopes of increasing access to communication technologies, and thus vastly improve technology literacy, standards of living and innovation. Please visit https://texastipi.org/ for more information.

Fall 2020 Undergraduate Research Opportunity

Dr. Sharon Strover directs the Technology & Information Policy Institute. They have a small study starting in September examining municipal camera policies in cities, focusing especially on U.S. but not exclusively; there may be some interesting examples from other countries As surveillance capabilities of camera technologies grow, and as AI and machine learning capabilities also expand, image systems producing visual data are new terrains for data collection, use and retention policies. The research involves a literature review and a survey – possibly administered over the phone – to collect information and state-of-the-art information about municipal policies around using cameras.

Responsibilities & Required Skills:

  1. Good interviewing skills; interviews will be conducted in English
  2. Ability to undertake journal-based research using academic journals and databases
  3. Ability to collect or write short annotations of research literature (we will probably use Zotero)
  4. Ability to work with a small team of researchers
  5. Ability to conceptualize and produce his or her *own project* based on this work! We would like the intern from a BDP to envision a way to creatively build on the research.

Small student stipend of $400 is available, but it would not be an hourly salary. Hours are flexible, but we expect the student to work the 160 minimum hours required of BDP.

The ability to do in-person work or meetings depends on the University’s COVID-19 related policies. A lot of this work could be done remotely.

To apply, please submit a resume and cover letter to Dr. Strover at sharon.strover@austin.utexas.edu. In the cover letter, please include a short (one paragraph) statement of why you are interested in the position.