A blockchain is a digitized, decentralized, public ledger.
This technology is appearing in a variety of commercial and government applications today.
Automation is the technology by which a process or procedure is performed without human assistance.
Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
White Hat Research & Policy Group informs citizens and decision-makers on issues of critical importance to Arizona. Our goal is to constructively contribute to the discussion and shape policy-making at the state and local level.
We are currently seeking a researchers to prepare in-depth white papers on the following topics:
Blockchain and its current position within the Arizona economy. The paper should summarize the history and development of blockchain as a technology and detail current Arizona blockchain legislation. It should also analyze blockchain’s current uses in both US and International projects. Lastly, it should consider potential future uses in Arizona by both private enterprise and public agencies.
Automation and its effect on the Arizona economy. The paper should summarize which Arizona industries have currently been most affected by automation and analyze the future of automation and its effect on specific industries with a large presence in Arizona. It should also analyze automation’s overall effect on the future of the Arizona workforce and its impact on education, social services, and other areas.
Sustainability and its effects on the Arizona economy. The paper should summarize the current state of so-called “green-collar jobs” in the Arizona economy in areas such as solar energy and sustainable urban planning and design. It should also analyze the future of these jobs in Arizona including the impact of state and national legislation and policies and its impact on the Arizona workforce.
Project Guidelines
Each white paper will be 20-30 pages and synthesize the secondary research on the specified topic. The paper will be made publicly available on the WHRPG website and distributed to relevant stakeholders. The principal researcher will be credited as author but the final product will be subject to editing and approval by the WHRPG staff.
Each white paper should include the following:
1. 1-2 page Executive Summary
2. Methodology
3. History of the Issue in Arizona
4. Current Landscape in Arizona
5. Review of current and proposed policies, legislation and regulations
6. Discussion of Intersection with Other WHRPG Targeted Issues
7. Citation and References (Chicago Manual of Style)
Application Requirements
Applicants to write for WHRPG should have a graduate degree or be currently enrolled in a graduate program directly related to the subject matter of the white paper.
Interested applicants are required to submit the following:
1. Letter of intent explaining the area and subtopic the applicant is interested in writing in
2. Current C.V.
3. Sample of previous work
4. 200-250 word abstract for proposed white paper
5. Letter of recommendation (optional)