[Air-L] Summer Internship Program 2012, Berkman Center for Internet & Society

Rebecca Tabasky rtabasky at cyber.law.harvard.edu
Thu Jan 12 15:58:50 PST 2012


Hi there,

The Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University is 
preparing to welcome another stellar crew of students to join us as 
summer interns!

We are looking to engage a diverse group of students who are interested 
in studying -- and changing the world through -- the Internet and new 
communications technologies; who are driven, funny, and kind; and who 
would like to join our amazing community in Cambridge this summer for 10 
weeks of shared research and exchange.

Information about the summer program, eligibility, and links to the 
application procedures can be found below and at 
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/getinvolved/internships_summer. *

The deadline for summer 2012 internship applications is Sunday, February 
12 2012 at 11:59 p.m. ET.*

Please share word of the opportunity to great candidates, and help us 
continue developing our shared network of movers and shakers working to 
advance scholarship with impact.

All best,
Becca

-----

*Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Summer Internship Program 2012* 
<http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/getinvolved/internships_summer>

Each summer the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard 
University swings open the doors of our big yellow house to welcome a 
group of talented and curious students as full-time interns - Berkterns! 
<http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=berktern> - who are 
passionate about the promise of the Internet. Finding connected and 
complementary research inquiries among their diverse backgrounds, 
students represent all levels of study, are being trained in disciplines 
across the board, and come from universities all over the world to 
tackle issues related to the core of Berkman's research agenda, 
including law, technology, innovation, and knowledge; the relationship 
between Internet and civic activity; and technology, law, and development. 

Summer interns jump head first into the swirl of the Berkman universe, 
where they are deeply and substantively involved in the operation of our 
research projects and efforts. Becoming invaluable contributors to the 
Center's operation and success, interns conduct collaborative and 
independent research under the guidance of Berkman staff, fellows, and 
faculty. Specific roles, tasks, and experiences vary depending on Center 
needs and interns' skills; a select list of expected opportunities for 
Summer 2012 is below. Traditionally, the workload of each intern is 
primarily based under one project or suite of projects, with 
encouragement and flexibility to get involved in additional projects all 
across the Center.

In addition to joining research teams, summer interns participate in 
special lectures with Berkman Center faculty and fellows, engage each 
other through community experiences like weekly interns discussion 
hours, and attend Center-wide events and gatherings with members of the 
wider Berkman community. As well, each year interns establish new 
channels for fun and learning, such as organizing topical debates, 
establishing reading groups and book clubs, producing podcasts and 
videos, and hosting potlucks, cook-offs, and BBQs (fortunately for us, 
people share).

The word "awesome" has been thrown around to describe our internships, 
but don't take our word for it. Zack McCune, a summer intern from 2008, 
had this to say 
<http://thames2thayer.com/blog/in-the-spirit-of-the-the-olympics-how-i-learned-to-row-from-an-olympic-all-star/#more-39>: 
"it has been an enchanting summer working at the berkman center for 
internet & society <http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/>.  everyday, i get to 
hang out with some of the most brilliant people on the planet. we talk, 
we write (emails), we blog, we laugh, we play rock band. and when things 
need to get done, we stay late hyped on free coffee and leftover food. 
it is a distinct honor to be considered a peer among such excellent 
people. and i am not just talking about the fellows, staff, and faculty, 
though they are all outstanding. no, i mean my peers as in my fellow 
interns, who are almost definitely the ripening next generation of 
changemakers."

*Time Commitment:*
Summer internships are full time positions (35 hours/week) for 10 weeks. 
Our Summer 2012 program runs from Monday, June 4 through Friday, August 10.

*Payment:*
Interns are paid $11.50 an hour, with the exception of a number of 
opportunities for law students who are expected to receive some version 
of summer public interest funding (more about these specific cases at 
the link for law students below).

Please be forewarned that payment may not be sufficient to cover living 
expenses in the Boston area. No other benefits are provided, and interns 
must make their own housing, insurance and transportation arrangements.

*Commitment to Diversity:*
The work and well-being of the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at 
Harvard University are strengthened profoundly by the diversity of our 
network and our differences in background, culture, experience, national 
origin, religion, sexual orientation, and much more. We actively seek 
and welcome applications from people of color, women, the LGBTQ 
community, and persons with disabilities, as well as applications from 
researchers and practitioners from across the spectrum of disciplines 
and methods. The roots of this deep commitment are many and, 
appropriately, diverse. We are not nearly far enough along in this 
regard, and we may never be. It is a constant process in which there 
remains much to learn. We welcome your inquiries, comments and ideas on 
how we may continue to improve.

*Eligibility:*
- Internships are open to students enrolled across the spectrum of 
disciplines.
- Internships are open to students at different levels of academic study 
including those in bachelors, masters, law, and Ph.D programs (some 
flexibility with high school students is possible). Some positions will 
require that interns be enrolled in a particular kind of academic program.
- Summer interns do not have to be U.S. residents or in school in the 
U.S., and we welcome and encourage international students to apply.
- Summer interns do not need an existing affiliation with Harvard 
University.

*To Apply:*
We know what you're thinking. /Yes please. I want that. That sounds 
magical. Did I mention that I make a mean artichoke dip?/ Here's what 
you should do...

/Law students:/ If you are a law student interested in conducting 
research with the Berkman Center this summer, please find important 
additional information and application instructions here 
<http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/7314>.

/Students from all other disciplines:/ If you are a student from any 
discipline except law interested in conducting research with Berkman 
this summer, please find more information and application instructions 
here <http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/node/7315>.

Required application materials for all include:
- A cover letter describing your skills and interests. When developing 
your cover letter, you may wish to consider the following questions: 
What has led you to pursue research with the Berkman Center and the 
issues we study? What would you like to gain from working with us this 
summer, and what will you contribute? How do you think the experience 
might influence your future efforts? Please feel welcome to address 
these and/or other topics you would like to share with us.
- A current resume.
- The contact information for two references (professional or academic).

*The application deadline for all students for Summer 2012 is **Sunday, 
February 12 2012 at **11:59 p.m. ET. *

We look forward to hearing from you! 

Questions?  Email Rebecca Tabasky at rtabasky at cyber.law.harvard.edu 
<mailto:rtabasky at cyber.law.harvard.edu>.

----

*Select Expected Summer 2012 Opportunities: *

/Broadband /
Interns with the the Broadband Project will conduct primary and 
secondary research into fiber deployment, both in the US and abroad. 
Research topics may include municipal fiber networks, how competition 
impacts price and speed, and the role of spectrum in the broadband 
debate. More information about the Broadband Project can be found at: 
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/research/broadband.

/Civic Engagement in Developing and Transitioning Countries
/Interns will undertake a variety of research and writing around the 
use, impact, and design of digital tools for civic engagement in 
developing and transitioning countries. Inquiries will be broad-based, 
but particular attention will be given to the study of the promotion of 
topics such as transparency, accountability, justice and human rights, 
with a focus on Nigeria.

/Cloud Computing Law and Policy /
In Spring 2012, the Cloud Computing team at the Berkman Center in 
collaboration with KEIO University (Japan), the NEXA Center (Italy), and 
the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland) will make public its 
wiki-based repository of analyses, resources, and case studies on 
emerging issues, law, policy and current trends related to cloud 
computing. Building upon this foundation and under the guidance of 
Executive Director Urs Gasser, we will be developing specific research 
and analysis that leverages our international collaboration and existing 
resources, and ideally creates briefing materials that are useful to 
policymakers, industry participants, civil society members, and other 
actors. Interns will work directly with the team to develop associated 
research.

/Cyberlaw Clinic
/Interns with the Cyberlaw Clinic contribute to a wide range of 
real-world litigation, client counseling, licensing, advocacy and 
legislative projects covering a broad spectrum of legal issues involving 
the Internet, new technology, intellectual property law, youth online 
safety and child protection. The Clinic provides high-quality, pro-bono 
legal services to appropriate individuals, small start-ups, non-profit 
groups and government entities regarding cutting-edge issues of the 
Internet, new technology and intellectual property. Interns in the 
Cyberlaw Clinic can expect direct hands-on experience working with 
clients under the supervision of the Clinic's staff attorneys. More 
information about the Cyberlaw Clinic can be found at: 
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/teaching/cyberlawclinic.

Interns with the Cyberlaw Clinic will be students currently enrolled in 
a J.D. program in the United States.

/Cybersecurity/
Since Spring 2010, the Berkman Center team has been developing a 
cybersecurity wiki under the guidance of Jack Goldsmith. The wiki 
provides a set of evolving resources on cybersecurity, broadly-defined, 
and includes an annotated list of relevant articles and literature. This 
summer, we will be seeking to update this wiki by adding key resources 
that have been released since 2010. We also have a series of potential 
next steps, including, for example, an survey course and an analysis of 
the 'rhetoric' of cybsecurity, that we also plan to pick up and develop 
with summer interns.

/Digital Libraries /
Summer interns working on digital library issues will conduct research 
related to library users, content, governance, funding, publishing 
models, and related issues; stay abreast of developments in the digital 
library field (including news related to e-publishing, copyright, linked 
open data, and other areas); blog regularly on these issues; and 
contribute to the Digital Public Library of America (DPLA) wiki 
<http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/dpla/Main_Page> and website 
<http://dp.la/>. Depending on summer needs, they may also have the 
opportunity to create multimedia for the DPLA website. Summer interns 
will also conduct research on the legal aspects and considerations 
related to these issues. More information about DPLA can be found at: 
http://dp.la <http://dp.la/>.

/Digital Media Law Project /
Summer interns at the Digital Media Law Project will work on a wide 
range of legal research and writing projects relating to media law, 
intellectual property, and the intersection of journalism and the 
internet. In past years, interns have updated the Legal Guide 
<http://www.citmedialaw.org/legal-guide> to media law topics, developed 
entries for the database of threats 
<http://www.citmedialaw.org/database> against online publishers, 
commented on current issues in law and media on the blog 
<http://www.citmedialaw.org/blog>, and provided research and drafting 
assistance on amicus briefs 
<http://www.citmedialaw.org/about/cmlp-amicus-efforts>. Interns may also 
be asked to assist with the operation and expansion of the Online Media 
Legal Network <http://www.omln.org/>, an attorney referral service for 
digital publishers, and with other projects that the DMLP undertakes in 
conjunction with its partner organizations around the world. More 
information on summer internships with the DMLP can be found on the DMLP 
website at: http://www.citmedialaw.org/about/summer-internships.

/Freedom of Expression /
Summer interns for this suite of projects, which includes Herdict, 
Internet & Democracy, OpenNet Initiative, Global Network Initiative, and 
others, will blog regularly about issues concerning online freedom of 
expression; contribute to related data gathering efforts using online 
sources; conduct research on internet filtering, monitoring, and control 
efforts around the globe; update project Twitter and Facebook accounts; 
and assist international partners. In the past, freedom of expression 
interns have also contributed to literature reviews, hand coded online 
content, and supported research on foreign language blogospheres, 
Twitter and online communities in Russia, China, Iran and the Middle 
East. More information about some of Berkman's work on freedom of 
expression can be found at the following links: 
http://www.herdict.org/web/ ; http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/idblog/ ; 
http://opennet.net/ ; http://globalnetworkinitiative.org/.

/Geek Cave /
Help Berkman's geek team keep the Center running. Interns joining the 
Geek Cave may extend open source software, build scalable websites, or 
manage the mixed desktop network that keeps us moving. If you've been to 
a Berkman site, you've seen the work of the geeks; we also work with 
partners across Harvard University. Our team works with ruby, perl, php, 
bash, jQuery, PostgreSQL, MySQL and a slew of other tools, and you can 
find more information at Berkman's github: 
https://github.com/berkmancenter.

/Harvard Open Access Project (HOAP) /
HOAP fosters open access 
<http://www.earlham.edu/%7Epeters/fos/overview.htm> (OA) to research 
within Harvard, fosters OA beyond Harvard, undertakes research and 
policy analysis on OA, and provides OA to timely and accurate 
information about OA itself. Interns with the HOAP will will add 
relevant information to the Open Access Directory (OAD), a wiki-based 
encyclopedia of OA; and will contribute to the the Open Access Tracking 
Project (OATP), a social-tagging project organizing knowledge about OA. 
There may be opportunities to write research reports on commissioned 
topics, draft submissions to public-policy consultations, and help 
organize OA-related events on campus.

/H2O /
Interns working with H2O, a platform that allows professors to create 
entirely online casebooks that are easily sharable and remixable, will 
assist in the development of new casebook instances. Following the 
successful pilot of Prof. Jonathan's Zittrain's Torts Class Casebook in 
the Fall of 2011, this summer we will create several additional 
casebooks with other Harvard Law School professors. Classes may include 
Advanced Civil Procedure and Criminal Law. Law students who have an 
interest in deepening their knowledge in these subjects, as well as 
extremely dedicated aspiring law students, will work closely with the 
professors to deliver an entirely online casebook. More information 
about H2O can be found at: h2odev.law.harvard.edu 
<http://h2odev.law.harvard.edu>.

/Information Quality in the Digital Age /
Under the guidance of Executive Director Urs Gasser, this project will 
focus on the multi-faceted phenomenon of "information quality" in the 
digital age. Building upon previous research efforts, the next stage of 
exploration will focus on electronic media and work towards a theory of 
information quality in the digitally networked environment, with a 
particular interest in the role and interplay of law, social norms, 
technology, and markets. Interoperability In June 2012, Urs Gasser and 
John Palfrey will release their book on /Interoperability: The Promise 
and Perils of Highly Interconnected Systems/. The book is inspired by 
their 2005 study and paper---"Breaking Down Digital Barriers: When and 
How Information and ICT Interoperability Drives Innovation" 
<http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/publications/2007/Breaking_Down_Digital_Barriers> 
---which examined the relationship between interoperability and 
innovation in the ICT environment.

A key input into the process has been the development of supporting case 
studies that focus on lessons learned from sectors where 
interoperability is critical, such as transportation, currency markets, 
and energy. Interns will help to finalize existing cases for release, 
develop new ones, and also contribute to developing a set of associated 
online resources online, including a wiki and blog. More information 
about our Interoperability research can be found at: 
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/interop/.

/metaLAB /
The metaLAB is a research unit dedicated to innovation and 
experimentation in the arts, media and humanities, and metaLAB work 
ranges from inquiry into the history of media to advanced, open-source 
software development to installation art practices using hacked sensor 
devices. Summer interns will participate in current core research areas, 
including: modeling new forms of multimedia publishing and documentary 
art practice; creating augmented exhibitions using digitized cultural 
heritage and library collections; and organizing interdisciplinary 
gatherings of humanists, technologists, artists, legal scholars and 
other experimental thinkers. More information about the metaLAB can be 
found at: http://metalab.harvard.edu/.

/Special Projects - Professor Urs Gasser /
A summer intern will work on a variety of projects undertaken by 
Berkman's Executive Director Urs Gasser (e.g. work on privacy, 
globalization of law, cyberliability). Tasks include research for 
presentations, op-eds, and articles. This position requires the ability 
to find, absorb, critically analyze, and debate large amounts of written 
and other media materials from sources including scholarly articles, 
news articles and blogs, and interviews. Knowledge in German or an Asian 
language is a plus. More information about Urs' research can be found 
at: http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/ugasser.

/Special Projects - Professor Jonathan Zittrain /
A summer intern in this position will work on a variety of projects 
undertaken by Professor Jonathan Zittrain, assisting in a variety of 
research areas (e.g. human computing, mesh networking, and Internet 
filtering). Summer contributions include research for conferences and 
presentations (including, for example, JZ's recent Colbert Report debate 
<http://www.colbertnation.com/the-colbert-report-videos/403466/december-01-2011/stop-online-piracy-act---danny-goldberg---jonathan-zittrain>); 
brainstorming article outlines; fact-checking materials; and reviewing 
original article or paper drafts. This position requires the ability to 
find, absorb, critically analyze, and debate large amounts of written 
and other media materials from sources including scholarly articles, 
news articles and blogs, and interviews with public policymakers. More 
information about JZ's research can be found at: 
http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/people/jzittrain.

/Youth and Media Lab /
During a summer at the Youth and Media Lab <http://youthandmedia.org//>, 
interns will contribute to various research, advocacy, and development 
initiatives around youth and technology. By researching young people's 
interactions with digital media such as the Internet, cell phones, and 
video games, we seek to address the issues their practices raise, learn 
how to harness the opportunities their digital fluency presents, and 
shape our regulatory and educational frameworks in a way that advances 
the public interest.

A summer intern will work for one of the Lab's three main tracks: 
exploratory research, curriculum development, and tool development. The 
research track includes literature reviews, surveys, focus groups, and 
one-on-one interviews to better map youth's usage of technology. 
Building upon these findings, the curriculum track aims to develop and 
test educational modules in collaboration with youth, designed for both 
formal and informal learning settings. The modules address youth's 
awareness and understanding of their technology usage and bear important 
policy implications. Third, the Lab's team seeks to develop a set of 
media literacy tools ("navigation aids for cyberspace") including an 
application to assess news quality, a set of badges, etc.

Spending a summer with the Lab means joining a diverse and creative 
team. Past summer interns have brought expertise and enthusiasm for 
human-computer interaction, digital art, filmmaking, radio production, 
joining team members excelling in areas such as law and policy, 
communications, and the social sciences. The Lab's intellectual 
diversity encourages collective brainstorming and discussion of how each 
individual team member can advance the Lab's agenda. More information 
about the Youth and Media Lab can be found at: www.youthandmedia.org 
<http://www.youthandmedia.org/>.



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