Policy Intern
- Location: In-person opportunity in Washington, DC
- Pay: $20 per hour, 15 hours per week
- Start date August 31 – End date December 11
- Commitment: Two days per week in person in our office
CCDH’s internship program provides a hands-on learning opportunity to college students and recent graduates entering the workforce who are interested in nonprofit advocacy work on online safety and other relevant fields. Interns will work alongside and learn from our team of experts, building foundational work skills to support their early career journey.
We are looking for a motivated Policy Intern to support our work advancing global tech reform and countering digital harm. This internship is open to current undergraduate students in their junior or senior year, or graduate students, based in the Washington, DC metropolitan area (DMV) based in the DC area who are interested in technology policy, platform accountability, online hate and extremism, misinformation, children’s online safety, and democratic resilience.
CCDH’s work regularly drives public debate, informs policymakers, and reaches audiences across major media and international stages. As governments, regulators, and civil society organizations continue to confront the harms created by digital platforms, our policy team plays a critical role in translating research, public concern, and lived experience into meaningful reform.
This role will support CCDH’s policy and public affairs work through research, legislative tracking, policy analysis, briefing materials, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate is intellectually curious, detail-oriented, and passionate about creating a safer online world. They should be comfortable working with complex policy issues, synthesizing information clearly, and helping a fast-moving team respond to developments in technology, politics, and regulation.
We are looking for someone who is excited to learn how research, advocacy, communications, and policymaking intersect to drive change. This internship is a strong opportunity for students interested in public policy, law, government affairs, digital rights, civil society advocacy, or nonprofit policy work.
Job Responsibilities
- Support CCDH’s policy team with research and analysis on issues related to online hate, extremism, misinformation, platform accountability, AI, children’s online safety, and digital regulation issues.
- Track relevant federal, state, and international legislative and regulatory developments affecting technology platforms and digital harms.
- Assist in preparing policy briefings, memos, talking points, fact sheets, consultation responses, and other materials for policymakers, partners, and internal teams.
- Monitor congressional hearings, public statements, agency actions, and policy debates relevant to CCDH’s advocacy priorities.
- Support stakeholder mapping and outreach preparation for policymakers, civil society organizations, academics, advocates, and other partners.
- Help translate CCDH research findings into clear policy recommendations and accessible public-facing materials.
- Conduct background research on technology companies, regulatory proposals, enforcement actions, and emerging digital threats.
- Collaborate with colleagues across Policy, Research, Communications, and Public Affairs to support timely advocacy opportunities.
- Contribute to rapid-response work when relevant policy or platform developments arise.
- Maintain organized records of legislative activity, policy developments, meetings, and research materials.
Person Specification
Essential:
- Current undergraduate student or recent graduate based in the DC area.
- Demonstrated interest in technology policy, digital rights, platform accountability, online harms, democracy, civil rights, public interest advocacy, or related issues.
- Strong research and writing skills, with the ability to summarize complex information clearly and accurately.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage multiple assignments in a fast-moving environment.
- Ability to track policy developments and identify their relevance to CCDH’s mission and priorities.
- Comfort working independently while also contributing to collaborative team projects.
- Strong judgment, professionalism, and discretion when handling sensitive or time-sensitive information.
- Familiarity with the U.S. policy process, Congress, federal agencies, state policymaking, or regulatory systems.
- Commitment to CCDH’s mission of countering digital hate and creating a safer, more accountable online environment.
Desirable:
- Graduate-level study or coursework in public policy, law, political science, international affairs, communications, technology policy, human rights, or related fields.
- Experience working or interning in government, advocacy, nonprofit, legal, research, or policy settings.
- Familiarity with technology regulation, Section 230, privacy, AI governance, children’s online safety, antitrust, content moderation, or platform transparency debates.
- Experience drafting memos, policy briefs, public comments, legislative summaries, or advocacy materials.
- Experience using legislative tracking tools, policy databases, or research platforms.
- Understanding how research and communications can support policy advocacy and public-interest campaigns.
- Experience working in rapid-response, campaign, Hill, agency, or coalition environments.