About the
Aspen Tech Policy Hub

The Aspen Tech Policy Hub mixes the best of both Washington and Silicon Valley, bringing together stakeholders in policy, science, and technology to train the next generation of policy entrepreneurs.

At the Aspen Tech Policy Hub, we take STEM experts, teach them the policy process through fellowship and executive education programs, and encourage them to develop outside-the-box solutions to society’s problems. We model ourselves after tech incubators like Y Combinator, but train new policy thinkers and focus the impact of their ideas. We’re building new ideas for policymaking — every fellow must complete one practical policy output during their time with us — and an alumni base of technologists who understand policy and want to engage with it.

The Hub is part of the Institute’s Aspen Digital program, which empowers policy makers, civic organizations, companies, and the public to be responsible stewards of technology and digital media in the service of a more just and equitable world.


 

 

 

 

 

 

Building Bridges

Silicon Valley needs to understand Washington. While Valley companies increasingly make decisions that affect millions—even billions—of people, too many technologists still fail to grasp the important role of public policy, how to participate in the policy process, and how to explain their work in language that lawmakers can grasp.

Washington policymakers need to understand Silicon Valley. Policymakers must better comprehend today’s technologies and innovate solutions that match the speed and complexity of emerging tech challenges, from social media and artificial intelligence to privacy and security.

Few people can speak to both. Meeting the challenges of tomorrow will require far more people that pair Silicon Valley’s creativity with the impact of Washington.

A Silicon Valley-Style
Think Tank

Our program mixes the best of both Washington and Silicon Valley, bringing together stakeholders in policy, science, and technology to train the next generation of policy entrepreneurs.

  1. We host training programs open to scientists and technologists interested in policy. Founder or company staffer? Think-tanker? Faculty or student? There’s something for everyone.
  2. Our program participants are not expected to come into the program with previous policy experience or degrees; in fact, we prefer people who are new to policy (they don’t have preconceived notions of what it should look like).
  3. We teach our trainees policy through fellowship and executive training programs, giving them resources (communications training, design help, etc.) to make them successful.
  4. We encourage our program participants to work in teams to develop new and innovative ideas for solving problems.
  5. Participants “exit” our programs by presenting work to real decision-makers.
  6. Our alumni base will understand the importance of successfully mixing tech and policy no matter what jobs they move onto, and many will continue to contribute to our research and strategy agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Team

Kateri is the Program Manager for the Aspen Tech Policy Hub. She has a background in education and has worked extensively on creating and implementing out-of-the-box solutions for equity in elementary schools. Kateri most recently worked at fintech startup Giant Oak and is excited to continue the startup pace for a mission she feels connected to. Kateri is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia, where she studied Global Security & Justice, Spanish, and Global Education. She is passionate about organization of all kinds, including color-coded calendars, lists, and software. In her free time, New Yorker Kateri likes being exceedingly mediocre at several hobbies, including learning Italian, playing volleyball, and knitting.

Aspen Tech Policy Hub: About

Kateri Gajadhar-Smith

Program Manager

Emeritus Staff

David Albán Hidalgo was the Program Coordinator of the Aspen Tech Policy Hub. He is currently an Associate Teacher of Computer Science at the Nueva School. Previously, David was a Tech & Innovation Advisor/Community Impact Fellow for the San José Mayor’s Office, and has experience with a range of projects at the intersection of policy and data, both in academia and industry. David holds a BA with Honors, a BS, and an MA from Stanford University. In his spare time, he likes to create rhythms on the cajón and write short nostalgic stories and poems that remind him of his many homes.

Aspen Tech Policy Hub: About

David Albán Hidalgo

Our Funders

In addition, the Aspen Tech Policy Hub occasionally receives small donations (less than 3 percent of our operating budget) from individuals and fee-for-service relationships where we provide training to other organizations. We do not currently accept any funds from corporations, except where companies provide corporate matches for small individual donations (<$1000). We also do not accept funds from government bodies, nor do we receive any financial support from the broader Aspen Institute. For additional information about our finances, please see our annual report here.

Jobs

Please sign up for our Listserv to stay updated on future job openings and opportunities to engage with the Hub.

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