2023-2024 Public Policy Challenge Guidelines

A white paper includes a formal statement of either a problem and its root causes, or of an opportunity and its potential benefits, an analysis of the tradeoffs involved with different options available to address the issue (which will usually include the option of doing nothing), and a formal recommendation. In particular:

1. The white paper should typically be 10-15 pages in length, including all tables, graphs, and references but not including the title page or executive summary. White papers cannot be fewer than 8 pages nor more than 25 pages.
2. The white paper includes an unnumbered title page that identifies your issue, all team members, and the team’s faculty mentor.
3. The white paper includes a 1- to 2-page executive summary of the team’s recommendation and the analytical basis for it.
4. Although the white paper’s structure is left to each team’s discretion, white papers typically have the following content, in whatever order is most logical.
   1. Explain clearly the problem/opportunity being addressed, and how it falls within the scope of Privacy and the Internet.
   2. Describe the nature and dimensions of the problem/opportunity. It is not necessary to identify a problem or opportunity with global or even national reach. Local problems deserve good policy too. Data, tables, and graphs are likely key tools to convey importance
      and urgency.
   3. Using research and analysis, identify the root causes of the problem or the opportunity’s untapped potential. The aim is to convince the reader that the root causes or potential have been identified and connected to the expected effects of the proposed policy.
   4. Identify all the plausible options for addressing the problem/opportunity, including the implications of maintaining the status quo. For each, be clear about what the option calls for, provide an analysis of the likely outcomes with emphasis on the tradeoffs involved, and clearly describe any key assumptions and risks, including a sensitivity analysis for each of them.
   5. Provide a comparison of the tradeoffs across the identified range of options.
   6. Clearly state and defend a specific policy recommendation, and demonstrate that it is a practicable option.
      1. Explain clearly how the recommendation will achieve the desired result at an acceptable social cost.
      2. Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) against which success will be measured.
      3. Make clear how the effects of the recommended policy and any key assumptions, key risks and key success factors should be monitored over time.

The executive summary is placed immediately after the title page of the white paper. The executive summary is a “talking points memo” meant to bring the reader quickly up to speed on the most important facts, arguments and recommendations. In particular:

1. The executive summary should be one or two pages; one is preferable and three is not allowed.
   Bullet points are acceptable.
2. Whereas the white paper is written for an any interested party, the executive summary is written specifically for a decision maker. The objectives are to provide the key points about the problem/opportunity, to review the tradeoffs associated with the recommended policy, and to explain why the recommendation is preferred to other possible courses of action. The executive summary should include arguments and evidence at a high level.
3. The executive summary should be structured in a way that leads the reader through the problem and recommendation in a logical way, and it should be detailed enough to allow the reader to understand and anticipate questions from an audience.

All teams will make a formal presentation of their white paper. In particular:

1. All team members must participate in the presentation. Teams are expected to deliver their prepared presentation professionally and to demonstrate command of the issues and their analysis during the question-and-answer session with the judges.
2. The time limit must be adhered to. Accordingly, the entire content of the white paper likely cannot be presented, and teams will have to decide what to include. Teams should keep in mind that the judges will have read their executive summary and white paper prior to the presentation.
3. The purpose of the presentation is to present a summary of the team’s analysis of the issue, of the policy options that were considered, of the tradeoffs associated with each, and of the reasoning behind its specific recommendation.
4. The presentation should include a brief review of a practicable implementation process should the policy be adopted.
5. Questions will be asked by the judges regarding the executive summary, the white paper, and the presentation. Judges can also ask questions on any topic they feel is appropriate regarding the issue at hand.