Policy Research Fellow

Policy Research Fellow

Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Full time

This Policy Research Fellowship is a one-year, full-time fellowship jointly implemented by The Association of People with Disability (APD) and Ali Yavar Jung National Institute of Speech and Hearing Disabilities (Divyangjan), Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

Policy research on persons with disability involves studying how laws, government schemes and institutional practices affect PwDs access to rights and services, then producing evidence-based recommendations to make policies more inclusive. This could mean researching a specific issue, for example, "Access to Legal Interpretation Services for Deaf Persons in Indian Courts" by reviewing existing legal provisions, interviewing Deaf individuals and court officials about real barriers they face, comparing India's practices with international standards like the UNCRPD, and producing a policy brief with concrete recommendations (such as mandating certified sign language interpreters in courts). Such research directly feeds into advocacy, giving organizations like APD and AYJNISHD evidence-based tools to push for policy change, funding shifts, or new guidelines. It aims to support emerging researchers in conducting such policy-relevant research on issues affecting persons with hearing, language and speech disabilities while building their skills in research, advocacy, and leadership.

The fellowship will run for one year in a full-time hybrid mode, with field-based research across different regions of India. Fellows will be supported by dedicated mentors from AYJNISHD and APD, who will provide technical guidance throughout the programme.

The fellowship will begin with an induction and capacity-building programme covering research methodology, disability policy, advocacy and leadership. Fellows will then undertake policy-relevant research in the domain of hearing, language and speech disabilities, including literature review, fieldwork, stakeholder engagement and evidence generation. Regular mentor check-ins, monthly progress reviews, and a mid-year review will support fellows throughout the research process. The programme will conclude with the submission of a research report, policy recommendations and evidence-based advocacy activities. Fellows will present their findings at a closing event, where research outputs will be disseminated and receive fellowship certification.