NLU Delhi’s Centre for Communication Governance (CCG) is inviting applications for its DIGITAL (Digital Rights and Inclusive Technology for All) Fellowship 2022, for 10 months on a full-time basis.

About NLU Delhi’s CCG

The Centre for Communication Governance at National Law University Delhi (CCG) is a research centre within NLU Delhi and is meant to ensure that the Indian legal education establishment engages more meaningfully with communication law and policy, and offers an academic contribution to communication policymaking.

CCG seeks to embed constitutional rights and good governance within information law and policy and examine the evolution of existing rights frameworks to accommodate new media and emerging technology. It aims to protect and expand the rights to dignity and equality, freedom of speech, right to assembly and association, and the right to privacy in the digital age, through rigorous academic research, policy intervention, capacity building,
and litigation support.

The Centre routinely works with a range of international academic institutions and policy organizations. These include the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, the Programme in Comparative Media Law and Policy at the University of Oxford, inter alia. They also regularly engage with government institutions and ministries such as the Law Commission of India, Ministry of Electronics & IT, Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Law & Justice, and the International Telecommunications Union.

About the Fellowship

Several vital questions relating to freedom of expression and privacy in the digital age are yet to be clarified by the courts. These cases will define India’s digital rights landscape for at least the next decade, if not longer. However, digital rights litigation in India is currently facing significant challenges including constraints in terms of research capacity and domain expertise.

To address these issues, CCG is inviting applications for its DIGITAL Fellowship 2022.

The Fellowship will commence in February 2022. A monthly, non-negotiable stipend of INR 50,000 /- will be provided to a Full-time Fellow.

6 fellowships covering full time and part-time fellows and may include Research Assistants and Interns.

Objectives of the Fellowship

  • To support the development of digital rights by providing high quality legal and research support in cases relating to digital rights.
  • To engage in and produce legal and policy research around the theme of digital rights.
  • To build an inclusive and mutually supportive digital rights and technology policy community in India with a long term vision for shaping the development of law and policy in this domain in India.

General Details

  • Duration: 10-month, full-time fellowship
  • No. of fellows to be awarded: 6 to be awarded by a Selection Committee
  • Placement of the fellows: Either in specific civil society organizations undertaking litigation around digital rights or litigation chambers that are involved in significant digital rights litigation.
  • Commencement: The Fellowship will commence in February 2022.
  • Stipend: A monthly, non-negotiable stipend of INR 50,000/- will be provided to each Fellow.

Roles and Responsibilities of the Fellows

  • Litigation research, drafting, and briefing
  • Research and policy output
  • Building a national network of digital rights stakeholders
  • Fellows will also establish and maintain a pan-India network of lawyers working on digital rights cases

Eligibility

Applicants for the Full time or Part-time Fellowship must –

  • Be born on or after January 1, 1989;
  • Be registered with the Bar Council of India;
  • Demonstrate a strong interest in and commitment to the development of digital rights;
  • Have excellent legal writing, drafting and oral advocacy skills.

Preference will be given to applicants with a minimum of 2 years of experience in litigation.

Applicants for the DIGITAL Internship/RAship must:

  • Be law students in their 3rd and 4th year of the 5 year BA LLB program or the 2nd year of their 3 year LLB programme or the 1st year of their LLM programme.
  • Demonstrate a strong interest in and commitment to the development of digital rights;
  • Have excellent legal writing, drafting and oral advocacy skills.
  • Preference will be given to the selection of full time Fellows. However, the Selection Committee may consider part-time Fellows and Research Assistants/Interns.

How to Apply?

Include the following in the application form:

  • A two-page Curriculum Vitae (CV);
  • A writing sample (published or unpublished article, essay, blog) between 1000-2000 words on a topic related to the Fellowship.
  • Names and contact details of two professional or academic referees who can be contacted for an oral or a short written reference (to be filled in the form).
  • Also, please combine the CV and writing samples in a single PDF file labeled as “Your name – DIGITAL Fellowship”. The PDF should be uploaded on the link provided in the application form.

The form has the following two essay questions, which applicants have to answer in a maximum of 5000 characters (including spaces):

  1. Discuss up to 3 cases you were directly involved with in your career, which in your opinions have been impactful. Give details of the cases including the judicial forum, outcome and impact, as well as your own role in achieving them. Applicants are encouraged to highlight experience in fundamental rights/digital rights litigation.
  2. If you do not have experience in litigation, discuss up to 3 projects that you have worked on in areas relating to digital or fundamental rights. Provide details of the projects, outcomes, and the role you played in achieving them.
  3. If granted the Fellowship, please clearly articulate your goals, their alignment with the Fellowship’s objectives, and how you would go about achieving them. Please also specify how the Fellowship fits in with your broader professional goals. 

Accessing the form requires a Google (Gmail) login. For applicants not having a Google (Gmail) account, create an account, by following the simple and quick steps here.

Application Deadline

  • CLICK HERE, for the Brochure for the DIGITAL Fellowship 2022.
  • Apply by December 28, 2021, 11:59 PM IST.

Click here to apply for the DIGITAL Fellowship 2021.

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