The Westin Fellowship Program

As the IAPP Westin Fellowship Program heads into its third year, we seek recommendations for excellent students who are graduating this year and are interested in pursuing a career in privacy. Applications can now be submitted via the Westin Center webpage.

As we've done in past years, we may invite promising candidates to attend the IAPP Global Privacy Summit (March 5-6 in DC) and undergo a final round of interviews there.

Established in 2013, the IAPP Westin Research Center was created to encourage and enable research and scholarship in the field of privacy. This past year, the fellows worked on a casebook of FTC privacy and data security enforcement actions, which will be officially launched next week.

Each year, the IAPP welcomes two or more recent graduates to spend 12 months on site with our team, reporting to the VP of Research and Education, and working on a broad array of privacy research projects. The fellowship program, which bears the name of Dr. Alan Westin, serves as a pathway for future leaders who aspire to join the privacy community. The IAPP provides the fellows with ample opportunity to engage with the privacy community, participate and present in major conferences and events, and communicate on a daily basis with leaders of the profession from around the world.

Applying for a fellowship

Two or more fellowship positions are available each year. Applicants from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. Previous research or experience in privacy law, information technology, sociology, marketing or business may help. The application process opened on January 1, 2015, and will close on February 28, 2015. Interviews will occur for some applicants in March, with final decisions expected at the end of March. Fellowship terms generally run from September through August of each year.

Applicant Requirements

-- A strong academic record and completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited four-year program are minimum requirements; post-graduate experience is preferred.

-- Fellows are required to be physically located at the IAPP's office in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, during the term of their fellowship. They will receive a work space, computer and standard office equipment.

-- Successful applicants will have a strong academic background in a relevant field(s), proven communication skills and a passionate interest in privacy issues. They must be interested in pursuing a long-term career path in the field of privacy.

-- Currently, the program is open only for U.S. citizens or permanent residents or individuals authorized to work in the U.S.

Compensation is approximately $40,000 per year (depending on credentials) plus a generous employee benefits package.

Interested candidates should send a CV, personal statement, transcript, writing samples and references through the website or directly to Diane Nardone-McDonough, Leadership Coordinator, diane@privacyassociation.org.  Please feel free to contact me for any additional information.