A Prestigious New Program Bridging Technology and Public Policy
UC Berkeley’s School of Information and Goldman School of Public Policy proudly announce the launch of the Executive Fellowship in Applied Technology Policy, a pioneering program designed to empower senior leaders at the intersection of technology and public policy. Set to begin on March 6, 2025, this innovative eight-month fellowship brings together accomplished public sector technology leaders and distinguished academic thought leaders to shape the future of digital governance and policy.
“Technology policy decisions have profound effects on every person, since technology is intertwined in every aspect of society, politics, and the economy. These decisions fundamentally shape the future of governance, security, and public trust,” said Dean Eric Meyer of the UC Berkeley School of Information. “This fellowship provides senior leaders with a unique opportunity to reflect on their experiences, contribute to meaningful research, and mentor the next generation of technology policy experts.”
“By connecting experienced practitioners with Berkeley’s world-class faculty and students, we are fostering a powerful dialogue that will help ensure technology serves the public interest, even in this rapidly evolving technology and political landscape.”
The fellowship is spearheaded by Professor Deirdre Mulligan, who recently served as Principal Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer and Deputy Director for Technology in the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy and Director of the National AI Initiative Office (2023-2024).
“By connecting experienced practitioners with Berkeley’s world-class faculty and students, we are fostering a powerful dialogue that will help ensure technology serves the public interest, even in this rapidly evolving technology and political landscape,” Mulligan said.
The non-residential fellowship is structured to provide a dynamic platform for policy leaders to reflect on their experiences, mentor the next generation, and document their contributions to digital transformation in government. Fellows will participate in research, teaching, and high-impact meetings and events. Outcomes may include:
- Publishing a Policy Impact Paper co-authored with a UC Berkeley graduate student, addressing critical issues in technology policy.
- Engaging in intensive residency periods at UC Berkeley, participating in master seminars, structured reflection sessions, and small-group discussions with faculty and Bay Area experts.
- Expanding their influence, contributing to dialogues on digital governance with policymakers and scholars.
“Our collaboration with the School of Information reflects the urgent need to integrate policy expertise with socio-technical knowledge,” said Dean David C. Wilson of the Goldman School of Public Policy. “This fellowship fosters a space where senior leaders can shape the future of responsible technology governance, ensuring that digital transformation serves the public good.”
With its proximity to Silicon Valley, UC Berkeley provides an unparalleled environment for leaders to engage with cutting-edge innovation while influencing policy frameworks that shape the future. The inaugural class welcomes distinguished senior executives, including Chief Information Officers, agency technology leaders, senior administration officials, and public interest technology experts.
Meet the Executive Fellows in Applied Technology Policy:
- Judy Brewer, Former Assistant Director for Accessibility, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
- Charlotte A. Burrows, Former Chair, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
- Alan Davidson, Former Assistant Secretary for Communications & Information and NTIA Administrator, Dept. of Commerce
- Marcela Escobar-Alva, Former Chief Information Officer, Social Security Administration
- Eric Hysen, Former Chief Information Officer & Chief AI Officer, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
- Arati Prabhakar, Former Science and Technology Advisor to President Biden and Director, White House Office of Science & Technology Policy
- Denice W. Ross, Former Deputy U.S. Chief Technology Officer for Tech Capacity and U.S. Chief Data Scientist, White House Office of Science & Technology Policy
- Jennifer Toomey, Former Founding Director of the Public Interest Technology Catalyst Fund, Ford Foundation
- Merici Vinton, U.S. Digital Service, White House and Senior Advisor to the Commissioner, Internal Revenue Service
- Jenny Yang, Former Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, White House Domestic Policy Council
- Vera Zakem, Former Chief Digital Democracy and Rights Officer, U.S. Agency for International Development
Learn more about the fellows at our UC Berkeley Executive Fellowship in Applied Technology Policy program webpage.
Media inquiries: Caitlin Appert-Nguyen, cappert@ischool.berkeley.edu
