Laila Shaheen Selected for Canada's Advanced Policy Analyst Program

Equitech Futures is proud to congratulate Laila Shaheen, a 2025 Equitech Futures Institute Oxford alumna from Canada and Syria, on being selected for Canada's highly competitive Advanced Policy Analyst Program. The program is a challenging three-year professional development opportunity designed to develop economic and public policy analysts for future leadership. It offers recent Master’s, PhD, and law graduates an unparalleled opportunity in the federal public service. Laila was one of eight emerging leaders chosen from more than 2,000 applicants nationwide.

In Year 1 and 2 of the program, participants gain knowledge and first-hand experience by rotating through a series of four challenging placements across the Privy Council Office, the Department of Finance for Canada, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, and a line department in the National Capital Region in Ottawa. During these placements, participants have the opportunity to analyze and have an impact on a variety of social, economic and international policy issues as well as gain work experience that would otherwise take the better part of a career to develop. The combination of hands-on work experience and training provides participants with a unique introduction to a rewarding career and a chance to serve Canada and Canadians.

In Year 3, participants choose a department of the federal government to further hone their policy skills. Throughout the process, participants will gain an understanding of the Cabinet and parliamentary systems, an understanding of the roles of central agencies and line departments, exposure to a variety of policy areas and policy making, exposure to the expenditure management process, and an effective network of colleagues and program alumni across the Government of Canada.

As an Equitech Scholar, Laila authored an op-ed entitled From AI Safety to AI Security: What We Lose in Translation which was honed in the Societal & Ethical Perspectives in Technology course during the Equitech Futures Institute Oxford. She qualified as a 2026 finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship from the constituency for Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Palestine. She also served on the selection committee for the 2026 cohort of the Equitech Futures Institute.

Congratulations, Laila! We look forward to following your public service to the Government of Canada.