Title: Pursuing a Policy Career in FOSS
FOSS has emerged from being a counterculture trend in the early 2000s to becoming a mainstream value in technical development. On one hand there is increasing institutionalization of FOSS in OSPOs and government strategies. On the other, emerging regulation can also undermine the values and infrastructure on which FOSS lies. There is thus an increasing need for professionals who can engage in policy and regulatory process while representing the needs and concerns of FOSS communities.
This panel will bring together people who have created and navigated policy careers in FOSS. We’ll discuss the evolution of policy as a profession, the challenges in pursuing a policy career in FOSS in India, and strategies for people considering a career at the intersection of FOSS and public policy. The goal is to lend support to the public policy vertical at FOSS United.
We expect attendees to leave with an understanding of:
- The need for FOSS communities to engage in public policy.
- An understanding of the day to day work in a policy role.
- What success looks like for a policy professional.
- Skills needed to succeed as a policy professional in India.
Confirmed Panelists:
Venkatesh Hariharan,
Tarunima Prabhakar
Anwesha Sen
Potential additional panelists:
Poruri Sai Rahul
Saranya Gopinath
Format: QnA/ Roundtable discussion