David Lingren Policy Fellowship

The Block Center hosts the David Lingren Policy Fellowship in partnership with the Heinz College for Information Systems and Public Policy. Each year, a fellow is selected from the incoming class of graduate students in any one of Heinz’s policy programs to work with the Block Center as a policy assistant for their first year. During this internship, the fellow will work with the Block team to analyze emerging technological and policy developments, contribute to active research, and assist in producing written blogs, planning events, and other activities as assigned. There may also be an opportunity to complete an independent study as a part of this fellowship, resources depending.

U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents who apply to Heinz College before the primary application deadline and who are offered admission will be invited to submit the additional application for this award.

Meet our Fellow

Marie McCauley

Masters of Science in Information Security and Policy Management (MSISPM), '27

Marie's academic and professional interests explore the intersections between public and foreign policy, technology governance, privacy, cybersecurity, and safety. She aspires to bridge technical and policy perspectives to address complex challenges related to digital safety, security, privacy, and the societal impacts of emerging technologies. Prior to graduate school, Marie previously worked at Meta, Roblox and Zoom, where she conducted investigations into cybersecurity threats, platform and data misuse, and emerging risks affecting large-scale digital platforms. During her undergraduate program, Marie studied international relations with focuses in security and Middle Eastern studies at the University of Texas at Austin. She interned with the Texas Health and Human Services Commission's Emergency Services Program, the U.S. Department of State's Near Eastern Affairs Bureau, and U.S. Embassy Beijing's Environment, Science, Technology and Health Section.

Marie's research analyzes the diverging perspectives Pennsylvania policymakers and residents have on artificial intelligence (AI) and data center development, and how those differences may impact policy making and voting decisions across the state. She also cross-compares these perspectives to other American regions to contextualize Pennsylvania's unique historical, economic, and legal landscape to explain what drives those divides. Her project seeks to encourage greater participation in local politics, voting and civic engagement among those less familiar with Pennsylvania's public policy environment.