2025 Up to Us Civic Engagement Scholarship Spotlight: Data-Driven Research for Public Policy Development
Throughout the years, the Up to Us Leadership Network has awarded several Civic Engagement Scholarships to program participants who engage in low-wage or unpaid summer internships in topics related to civic engagement, economic/fiscal policy issues, and democracy. The Civic Engagement Scholarship aims to support the pathways for scholars to deepen their advocacy and create civic impact in their communities. Students who complete the Up to Us Campus Competition are eligible to apply for this scholarship. This year, we are excited to highlight our Scholars who participated in summer 2025 interships as a part of a three-part series, connecting each of their achievements and experiences with a different theme.
This year, we are excited to highlight our Scholars in a three-part series, showcasing the values behind the Civic Engagement Scholarship in action.
In this first post of the Civic Engagement Scholarship Spotlight series, we will be highlighting two scholars who are using data as a powerful tool to shape policy and drive meaningful change. From urban development research to analyzing public finance systems, scholars are contributing to projects that will inform public policy decisions about everything from community growth to international diplomacy. Today, we’ll be taking a closer look at how policy work, backed by data, is driving civic impact and paving the way for more equitable solutions.
Arun Dahal Khatri (University of Maryland, Baltimore County, Campus Competition ‘24,’25, Leadership Bootcamp ‘24, ‘25)
University of Chicago
Over the last few months, Arun Dahal Khatri worked on a research project focused on Tax-Increment Financing (TIF) districts, particularly in Washington, DC, at the University of Chicago. His work involved “analyzing the socio-economic impacts of TIF projects on local communities by examining public investment patterns, income disparities, and small business trends.”
A major highlight was "engaging with real-world data and policy frameworks that shape neighborhood outcomes." The research not only "deepened my understanding of urban policy" but also allowed him to contribute to "ongoing conversations around equitable growth."
This research project demonstrates how data-driven insights are critical for public policy development. The student learned that "financial tools like TIF can either uplift or unintentionally displace communities depending on policy design. Additionally, it presents civic engagement in a different form, as it translates complex data into practical knowledge that can directly inform better and more equitable policy.
While the project was initially challenging, Arun reflects: "My success was rooted in curiosity, persistence, and collaboration with my research team." With support from the Civic Engagement Scholarship, Arun affirms that this project "strengthened [his] research skills and affirmed [his] commitment to using economics for community impact."
Rai Hasen Masoud (Georgetown University, Campus Competition ‘24, Leadership Bootcamp, ‘24)
The Hudson Institute
This summer, Rai Hasen Masoud, dove head into the think tank world as a research intern at the Hudson Institute within the South and Central Asia program in Washington D.C.
From attending high-level think tank panels and congressional hearings to sitting in on State Department briefings, the intern gained a "front-row seat to the policymaking process." Rai shares a personal highlight of connecting with various interns from different sectors and witnessing the “the cross-pollination of ideas, often sparked during informal coffee chats or joint briefings” that “reminded [him] of the value of collaboration in solving complex global challenges that we face.”
Their core project involved contributing to a forthcoming book on the United Arab Emirates by researching the country's founding figure. This deep dive into visionary leadership offered a firsthand lesson in the role of governance and legacy-building in foreign policy.
Rai’s research shows how data collection and syntheses directly supports public policy development. He has learned how to transform data from historical archives and contemporary
At the end of his internship, Rai highlights that the experience "strengthened my research skills and affirmed my commitment to using economics for community impact. [...] "I’m grateful to the Net Impact and Up to Us [Leadership Network] community for supporting me in exploring such spaces.”
With support from the Civic Engagement Scholarship, these dedicated scholars are making a real impact in their communities, and we are proud to highlight their work! Stay tuned for the next part of this series. We'll be featuring scholars who are engaging civically through their legal and policy experiences.