Raghav Ahooja

Who are you? Tell us about yourself
I am a Technology Law & Policy LL.M. at Georgetown Law and an IAPP Westin Scholar 2023 Awarde

e witha keen interest in privacy, artificial intelligence, and platform governance. I intend on working as an academic or a policy researcher in the educational or the non-profit field. More recently, I have been researching the ethical, legal, and social impli!cations (ELSI) of decentralized social media platforms.

What drew you to Georgetown’s Tech LLM?
Georgetown Law was the only university I applied to in the US, solely because of its uniquely placed Tech Law & Policy LL.M. I honestly believe that Georgetown’s Tech Law & Policy program is probably the best in the US for folks like me who want to get a holistic domestic and international overview and an understanding of the tech law & policy ecosystem. With a wide range of courses to choose from and excellent professors to teach them, you would leave with a knowledge-laden brain and a heavy heart, because of how much you get attached to the place in just a matter of 9 months.

What have you enjoyed most about your experience here?
Never thought I would say this – but my classes and professors! The Tech Law & Policy LL.M. cohort is relatively smaller than those of other programs and that works to our advantage because professors tend to give you personalized attention and feedback. However, since Georgetown Law is a top school, it is quite competitive and sometimes it might not be that easy at first to settle in and adjust to the fast-paced environment – but with excellent administrative and peer-support that Georgetown offers, you will eventually find your place.

What are you looking forward to most about your Westin Scholar Award?
Treating my parents who will be coming for my graduation with a lunch at my favorite Italian restaurant in DC with the cash prize I received! But the nerd in me tends to think – getting the IAPP/US and other certifications done free of cost!

What advice do you have for students who share your interests in tech law and policy?
Never miss a class, unless there are exigent circumstances! You’ll regret it later. No matter how early the class is, wake up on time and be punctual. Interact with professors as much as you can, both inside and outside the classroom. Apply for research assistantships, but my personal advice would be to do that in Spring not Fall, as it becomes hard to cope up with classes and work as an RA at the same time in my experience. Second thing I would say is, just have fun!It’s not all work – we have the Wednesday Wind Downs and other social activities where you can network both informally with peers and formally with professionals and potential recruiters.

What other interests do you have outside of law?
In my free time, I indulge in poetry, binge-watch shows like The Bear, Succession, and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and of late treat myself with a Wong Kar-wai movie at midnight. I also like curating underground indie-music and like making playlists for people I like. I also like playing soccer.