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Setu Bandh Upadhyay.
Strategist. Advocate. Tech Policy Leader.
As a strategic leader in global tech policy, I architect cross-border initiatives that bridge the gap between complex technical infrastructure and international governance. From leading high-stakes advocacy at the Internet Society to managing multi-stakeholder coalitions, I have a proven track record of delivering concrete regulatory outcomes and shaping the future of the open internet. I am prepared to lead organizations through the next generation of digital challenges with a focus on policy innovation and strategic impact.
> status: open to research, consulting, and strategic leadership roles.
01. About
I am a policy professional and strategic leader with deep cross-regional expertise, specializing in bridging the digital policy landscapes of APAC and EMEA. My work is rooted in on-the-ground engagement and a robust network of partners across these regions, where I drive Global Majority changemaking to build more equitable digital ecosystems.
I maintain active, high-level networks across the world's major policy hubs, from Brussels to New Delhi. My leadership is defined by an ability to navigate complex multi-stakeholder environments, securing consensus among international policymakers, senior executives, and grassroots activists to deliver concrete regulatory and strategic outcomes.
My core competencies include:
- > Tech Policy & Law
- > Global Majority Strategy
- > Institutional Strategy
- > Digital Rights
- > Cross-Regional Advocacy
- > Research, M&E
- > Policy Strategy
- > AI Strategy & Policy
// Languages
- EN: Native
- HI: Native
- UR: Fluent
- FR: Intermediate
02. Experience
// Senior Leadership Positions
- - Internet Society ↦ Senior Advisor, Policy & Advocacy
- - Global Network Initiative ↦ Stakeholder Engagement Lead
- - Global Voices ↦ Policy & Advocacy Coordinator
- - Alexander von Humboldt Institute ↦ Research Coordinator
Senior Advisor - Policy and Advocacy
Internet Society | Jan 2025 – Present
Senior Advisor - Policy and Advocacy
- Positioning ISOC's policy agenda with policymakers, partners, and influencers across the globe, representing the organization in government, multilateral, civil society, and private sector.
- Crafting ISOC positions, engagement strategies, and policy outputs on internet policy issues including encryption, intermediary liability, open internet, and artificial intelligence.
- Leading ISOC's amicus program, coordinating submissions to relevant global cases.
Policy and Research Consultant
Independent Consultant | Mar 2023 – Present
Policy and Research Consultant
- Providing boutique solutions for policy and research projects to international clients in internet, technology, Artificial intelligence, telecommunications, and human rights space.
Research Consultant (short-term)
Digital Action | Oct 2024 – Dec 2024
Research Consultant (short-term)
- Co-Leading the research project on Big Tech and 2024 elections.
- Designing, developing, and carrying out action based participatory research.
Stakeholder Engagement Lead
Global Network Initiative | Mar 2023 – Oct 2024
Stakeholder Engagement Lead
- Leading member communication and engagement strategy on advancing online privacy, internet freedom, and digital policy worldwide for the global multistakeholder platform.
- Developing shared learning on Tech and Human Rights among 100+ members globally.
- Led the Armed Conflict Working Group, the result of which was Tech Company Responsibility Online Learning Series, a multi-stakeholder capacity-building program on human rights due diligence.
- Engaging members and external stakeholders to drive advocacy directly with relevant partners.
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
Global Voices | Oct 2021 – Mar 2023
Policy and Advocacy Coordinator
- Developed recommendations for policymakers on creating healthy information ecosystems.
- Mapped and leveraged existing diplomatic and policy cooperation groups to collect feedback, consolidate proposals, and identify policy vacuums.
- Conducted research on mis/disinformation and other harmful content on social media platforms.
Research Coordinator & Fellow
Alexander von Humboldt Institute | May 2022 – Feb 2023
Research Coordinator & Fellow
- Developed agenda, strategy, and focus areas for Asia research clinics.
- Identified and engaging with stakeholders to extrapolate specific issues on Platform Governance.
- Interacted with stakeholders on the ground in South Asia and West/East Africa on Digital Policies.
Research Consultant – Data and AI Futures
Mozilla Foundation | Jun 2022 – Jan 2023
Research Consultant – Data and AI Futures
- Identified opportunities with builders and innovators within existing legal landscapes for implementing alternative approaches to data governance and its use for AI.
- Developed specific opportunities for regulations in the developing economies in Asia and Africa.
Technology Policy Researcher
CUTS International | Oct 2020 – Oct 2021
Technology Policy Researcher
- Led the development of various research-based outputs for diverse audiences on topics like Data Sharing, Privacy, Intermediary Liability, Encryption, Internet Governance, Child Safety.
- Engaged stakeholders in India/APAC on relevant internet and digital rights issues.
Researcher - Technology Law & Policy
The Dialogue | Oct 2019 – Aug 2020
Researcher - Technology Law & Policy
- Produced policy briefs and papers at the intersection of Technology, Policy, and Law on topics like Platform Governance, Data Protection, Digital Payments, Gig Economy, AI, Cybersecurity.
- Built and led the communications and advocacy team.
Summer Policy Associate
ACODE Uganda | Jul 2019 – Sep 2019
Summer Policy Associate
- Reviewed and analyzed legal, policy, and regulatory framework on digital policy, and human rights issues in the extractive industries of the African Union.
- Prepared policy reports and briefing papers on emerging policy processes.
Graduate Student Consultant
UNHCR | Jan 2019 – Apr 2019
Graduate Student Consultant
- Led the legal and policy teams for the new support app being developed by the UNHCR Central European Office for incoming refugees to Central Europe and Balkans.
Fellow
Praja Foundation | Oct 2017 – Mar 2018
Fellow
- Designed and carried out the outreach and capacity building program in local district to solve policy challenges at the Local Governance level.
- Provided research assistance to 18 elected representatives of local government.
03. Education
Master of Arts in Public Policy with Merit
Specialization: Media, Communications, and Human Rights
Bachelor of Legal Sciences and Bachelor of Laws with Honors
Five-year dual undergraduate degree in law and social sciences
04. Selected Publications
Clicks, Codes, Consequences: Big Tech & 2025 Elections
Is That Even Legal? A Guide for Builders Experimenting with Data Governance in India
Platform://Democracy: Perspectives on Platform Power, Public Values and the Potential of Social Media Councils
Dimensional Analysis of Future of Non-Personal Data Sharing: Examining Approaches and Governance Mechanisms
Consent Design Flaws in Aarogya Setu and The Health Stack
Civic Media Observatory: Techno-authoritarianism & Digital Rights in India
05. Fellowships & Activities
Professional Fellow on Governance and Society
Global Policy Fellow
Internet Governance Fellow
India Country Expert on Digital Society & Press Freedom
APAC Regional Coordinator
06. Let's Connect
Initiate Contact
Whether it's for a high-level briefing, a strategic consultation, or to explore how we can collaborate on shaping the future of tech policy, I’d love to hear from you.
sbupadhyay@pm.me