2026 I Registries of Patents, Designs & Plant varieties: Sia Taneja

Understanding the Conversations behind Policy

One of the biggest lessons from my summer internship at IPOS was that good policymaking begins with good questions. Over the course of three months, I was mentored by my colleagues at the policy team in the Registries of Patents, Designs, and Plant Varieties. Through my experience researching emerging issues at the intersection of artificial intelligence and intellectual property, engaging stakeholders to understand their needs, and evaluating existing programmes, I learnt the importance of challenging assumptions and listening actively in decision-making.

Navigating Complex Policy Research

My projects exposed me to policy research on the dynamic landscape surrounding artificial intelligence and intellectual property. I contributed to research examining Singapore's existing legal framework for determining inventorship. I also had the opportunity to observe the drafting of public communications and engagement material, which gave me a greater appreciation of the level of thought and precision required to communicate policy issues clearly and invite meaningful responses. Researching a topic characterized by uncertainty required me to take a step back and keep an open mind. Having no clear or correct answers made room for broad conversations and enabled me to explore different perspectives and approaches.

Engaging Diverse Stakeholders

Another key experience was attending exploratory discussions with external and internal stakeholders for proposed initiatives. I saw the value of asking open-ended and unassuming questions to encourage candour in conversation, allowing parties to better understand existing practices and identify pain points and unsaid needs. Internal discussions with colleagues from different departments highlighted how legal, operational and policy considerations must all be balanced when developing new initiatives. This taught me the importance of diverse perspectives in crafting effective policy.

Evaluating and Refining Policy

Contributing to work on the patent agent qualification framework also proved to be an insightful experience. I supported the design of a survey to better understand candidates' experiences and analysed historical data on candidate profiles and examination outcomes to evaluate the impact of existing measures. I also had the opportunity to observe discussions with external stakeholders, where different perspectives were shared openly. The culmination of evidence, experience, and expertise in these discussions gave me valuable insight into how policy decisions are evaluated and refined.

Learning from Mentors and Colleagues

Beyond the projects, what made my internship particularly meaningful was the opportunity to learn from the people around me. My supervisors and colleagues were patient, always willing to explain not only what was being done, but also why certain approaches were taken. Whether through formal meetings or casual conversations, they encouraged me to ask questions and think critically about the issues we were working on.

I’ve come away with a better understanding of how research, stakeholder engagement and policy evaluation work together to shape decisions that are thoughtful, practical, and forward-looking. I learnt that behind every policy is a series of conversations, each contributing a different perspective towards a common goal. I am grateful to the policy team at IPOS for mentoring me and making me part of those conversations.