Call for Applications:
2022 Quantum Society Fellowship on Societal Impacts of Quantum Communications Technologies
The Center for Quantum Networks is a Gen-4 NSF Engineering Research Center dedicated to building the technical and social foundations for the Quantum Internet. The Center is comprised of researchers, staff, and students at the University of Arizona, MIT, Harvard, Yale, BYU, Howard University, Northern Arizona University, University of Chicago, UMass Amherst, and the University of Oregon.
The CQN, in partnership with the Yale Information Society Project, is mobilizing a significant effort to study the likely societal impacts of Quantum communications technologies by supporting a cohort of research fellows each year. The fellowship program will facilitate well-informed research in social science—social & behavioral sciences, law, policy, economics, business, health sciences, and other fields. The research coming out of this program will be informed by the advances in technical research occurring across the Center. Just as importantly, the social science fostered by our program will inform the technical research within the Center and practices in industry, in the classroom, and in public discourse.
We seek proposals from faculty and post-doctoral researchers in the social science disciplines to participate in our 2022 research fellowship program. Fellows will receive an $18,000 stipend to support their research, and will be invited to participate in the CQN Retreat on January 14th and 15th in Snowbird, Utah.
This year, we are particularly interested in supporting proposals that apply lessons learned from the governance, regulation, and market structure of legacy communications networks (e.g. telecom and broadband). How will architecture decisions affect the structure of quantum networks, downstream applications, regulatory oversight, or the market for quantum information service providers? What can we learn from unequal access to broadband that can help inform how the Quantum Internet is supported or regulated?
Another topic of particular interest is the role of quantum networking for post-quantum encryption and cybersecurity.
We welcome proposals on other topics related to the societal impact of quantum communications technologies as well. The following list provides topics that could be explored. This list is not exhaustive; it is meant to simply provide exemplary areas for study.
- Promising applications of Quantum communications, including apps that can be run on Quantum Computers
- Quantum-based communications security
Protecting legacy data from decryption by actors with access to Quantum Computers - The use of quantum sensors for offensive and defensive national security purposes
- The potential for quantum information systems to enhance user privacy
- Learning from the mistakes of Broadband in the regulation and rollout of the Quantum Internet
- Developing strategies that engage communities that have previously been underserved by technological deployment.
- Funding Quantum Infrastructure
- The effect of Quantum communications technologies on trade policy, international relations, and technological leadership in the world
- Exploring the role of the state, the private sector, and civil society in the development of the Quantum Internet
- Avoiding overhype and a “Quantum Winter”
Preparing an inclusive and well-trained Quantum engineering workforce - Assessing and managing risks of technologies at the frontier of human knowledge
How does the fellowship program work?
Each fellow will receive an $18,000 stipend to support their research. They will also have the camaraderie and support of the full cohort of research fellows and of the scientists at the Center to help solidify their understanding of Quantum technologies. Although we have flexibility, the general plan is as follows:
December 12, 2021
Fellows will be selected and notified.
January 14th & 15th, 2022
Fellows will get to workshop their abstract with the full CQN team during our annual retreat. This workshop will give fellows the chance to receive input from members of the science research team as well as from industry and other social science researchers. Fellows will also get to learn about the technical research taking place throughout the Center. Following the workshop, we will pair each fellow with a PI and grad student from a quantum technical field who can answer relevant technical questions and help the fellows further refine their project.
Summer-Fall 2022
Fellows will complete their original research. They should produce a publication-quality draft or other pre-defined deliverable by the end of the year.
January 2023
Complete a short CQN report or policy white paper related to your research coauthored with the technical PI/grad student partners. Fellows will be invited to attend the annual retreat and meet the next cohort of Quantum Society fellows as well. The Center for Quantum Networks will publicize your work and distribute your CQN Report to an appropriate audience. Interested fellows are also invited to spend a semester, summer, or short visit at the Yale Information Society Project. Applications should include the following: A research proposal (2 pages max) A resume or CV [optional] a short cover letter describing expertise related to network or quantum technologies, or describing any other personal skills or perspectives relevant to this research proposal. Applications for the 2022 Fellowships are due Sunday, December 5th. Please submit applications via email by clicking the link below.