Cyber Policy Research and Communications: Volunteer Role

Are you passionate about social, political or economic aspects of cyber and critical technologies. Are you keen to understand tech governance, and making a real-world impact? Are you looking for avenues into the work force? Join the Social Cyber Institute as a volunteer and benefit from mentored learning in this field over 12 weeks. We are based in Canberra but are open to remote options. Our work is oriented toward countries of the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific, including Southeast Asia and Australia, so we welcome expressions of interest from that extended region.

About Us: The Social Cyber Institute is a mission-driven research organization focused on advancing innovative and inclusive cyber policy solutions. Visit our website for information on our work. Recent activities include an Australia India project on joint technology impact assessment for peace and stability and the development of a Table Top exercise for officials of a regional country facing an extreme cyber crisis.

The Volunteer Role:

• • Full-time. Duration: 3 months minimum preferred. (Or flexible by agreement)
  • We help you publish at least one tangible research output of your volunteership
  • You conduct policy research, draft contributions to reports, support our multi-media communications efforts , and increase your familiarity with administrative realities of the think tank world
  • Participate in workshops, briefings, and collaborative projects with international experts
  • Remote or hybrid options; you'll receive mentoring from a world-leading researcher.

Who We’re Looking For:

• • Current undergraduate/graduate students or recent graduates in cybersecurity, policy, law, IR, or related
  • Excellent research, writing, and teamwork skills
  • Demonstrated commitment to public-interest technology, social impact, or policy reform

What You Gain:

• • A clear commitment by us to a visible publication by you (e.g. a research briefing paper or policy paper) as a tangible and durable product of your commitment
  • Hands-on experience at the intersection of tech and policy
  • Professional references and mentorship
  • Opportunities for networking
  • Contribute to building an important emerging non-profit.

The post is a volunteer unremunerated one. We commit to supporting your professional development and public recognition for your contributions. We have supervised volunteers and interns in a variety of settings overseas and in Australia.

We can accept students who wish to undertake an internship as part of an accredited program at a tertiary institution but the minimum time commitment per week we are looking at is 14 hours per week.

Apply: Email your CV under the subject heading “Volunteer” to Greg Austin, outlining your availability to start around 1 April 2026. We can also consider applications for your nominated start dates later in the year up until 30 June 2026.