CRA Welcomes Tisdale Fellow

By Radhika Agrawal, 2024 Tisdale Policy Fellow

For more than a decade, the Computing Research Association (CRA) has had the honor of hosting a summer Eben Tisdale Fellow. The Tisdale Fellowship, typically an undergraduate at an American university or colleges, are placed at a high-tech company, firm, or trade association in Washington in order to learn the intricacies of technology policy.  Additionally, they take two class credits at George Mason University, and attend briefings at institutions such as the U.S. Capitol, Department of State, World Bank, and Federal Reserve. 

This summer, CRA is pleased to welcome Radhika Agrawal; she will be shadowing Brian Mosley, Associate Director in CRA’s Office of Government Affairs. 

My name is Radhika Agrawal, and I am honored to join CRA as the Tisdale Policy Fellow for 2024. I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Quantitative Economics, Computer Science, and Data Analytics at Ohio Wesleyan University. My academic record is strong, supported by a GPA of 3.9, and complemented by a diverse set of academic and research roles that have sharpened my analytical and problem-solving skills.

At Barnes and Noble, I oversee daily operations, including inventory management and customer service, leveraging IBM’s store management software to ensure efficiency. My role as a Mathematics Tutor through the Bishop Scholars Program further developed my pedagogical skills, where I engaged elementary students in mathematical concepts using interactive methods. As an intern at Corporate Gurukul, I was involved in assisting faculty from top Singaporean universities in delivering and managing Design Thinking coursework over Google Cloud. 

I have actively contributed to the academic community through co-authorship of several research papers focusing on economic and technological themes. My research has been published in reputable journals, including a study on the development of a training program for innovation in high schools and a comprehensive analysis of bi-matrix games. These experiences underscore my ability to apply theoretical knowledge to solve real-world problems and contribute meaningful insights to the field.

As the Head of Marketing for Women in Entrepreneurship at Ohio Wesleyan University, I have played a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurial initiatives and outreach. My involvement with the Economics Honor Society has also allowed me to tutor my peers in introductory and intermediate economics, enhancing both my leadership and academic mentoring capabilities.

These roles across different domains have not only refined my operational and leadership skills but also bolstered my theoretical and practical understanding of entrepreneurship, economics, and technology. They position me uniquely to contribute effectively in roles at the intersection of technology and economics. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to enter the tech industry, where I hope to bring together my areas of interest to drive technological innovations and solutions.

Outside of my academic and professional life, I cherish time spent with family and friends, exploring new places, and indulging in hobbies like playing board games, reading fiction, watching movies, and painting. These activities recharge me and fuel my creativity and passion for innovation.

While I have always been drawn to economics, technology, and their possible intersections through industry, public policy is a newer field that I am eager to explore during my time here at CRA. I am thrilled about the opportunities this summer to learn more about how public policy and technology intersect and influence each other, and delve deeper into how public policy can shape and be shaped by advancements in technology.