Aum Desai

Aum Desai is a junior at Columbia College studying Political Science and Economics. He is the founder and president of the Columbia Open Discourse Alliance (CODA), Columbia's first nonpartisan cross-ideological free expression and dialogue coalition that encompasses nine affiliate organizations spanning the full ideological spectrum.

In this capacity, he has worked closely with University Task Forces and senior deans to protect free expression and build trust at Columbia to further integrate open discourse into the University’s academic mission. His work has been cited in university-wide assessments evaluating Columbia's campus climate and by Bloomberg News as a leading voice on dialogue and free expression.

Desai also serves as a research assistant to Professor Anya Schiffrin, with a focus on analyzing AI-copyright frameworks across American, EU, and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) regulatory systems. He has co-authored a UN Policy Profile on Universal Access to Accurate, Pluralistic, and Independent Information with Professor Schiffrin that was presented to the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva. He also serves as senior editor of the Columbia Political Review and as Interfaith Chair of Columbia's Hindu Student Organization. In his free time, he enjoys running, traveling, and photography.

After SIPA, he intends to pursue law school and a career in public service.