What We Do

Research, Policy Analysis,
& Convening

The Lab pursues its mission through a set of activities, each of which function individually but together form part of a broader institutional commitment to independent, inclusive digital governance research.

180+
countries represented in Geneva
40+
international organisations in the city

What We Do

Three Pillars of Engagement

The Lab pursues its mission through research, publication, and convening — each function individually valuable, and together forming a coherent institutional commitment.

Independent Research

Social science-based research on the actors, institutions, norms, and processes shaping digital governance globally — including digital sovereignty, AI governance, data flows, and platform accountability.

Policy-Relevant Analysis

Publications and briefings to inform practitioners, negotiators, and policymakers across the full range of digital governance challenges.

Convening & Dialogue

Workshops and closed-door dialogues where international organisations, governments of large and smaller economies, industry, and civil society engage with shared challenges.

Explore our activities →

Current Work

Associated Projects

Active research projects and collaborative initiatives undertaken by Lab researchers.

Research Project

Digital Transformation Government

Ongoing · 2026–2027

An empirical study exploring how the digital transformation of public services reshapes the citizen–state relationship and challenges prevailing explanations of trust in government. By focusing on digital ID and payment systems, this study investigates the transformation of the citizen state relationship, testing whether digital transformation fosters trust through efficiency gains or whether it instead erodes trust by eliminating personal bureaucratic interactions.

Research Project

Digital Sovereignty Observatory

Ongoing · 2025-2027

Interdisciplinary research, policy, and advocacy across four dimensions of digital sovereignty: Individual (personal data rights, digital identity, discrimination, and autonomy) Organisational (corporate accountability, platform governance, and responsible innovation), State (regulatory authority, digital jurisdiction, and security frameworks), International (cross-border data flows, technical standards, and multilateral cooperation)

Calendar

Events & Dialogues

The Lab convenes workshops, closed-door dialogues, and public events at which international organisations, governments, industry, and civil society engage with shared challenges in digital governance.

Upcoming -->

tbc tbc 2027
Global AI Summit
📍 Palexpo, Geneva 🕐 08:00–17:00
Conference
Dec 14-18 2026
Internet Governance Forum
📍 Nairobi, Kenya 🕐 08:00–17:00
Conference
Sept 01-03 2026
Global Digital Collaboration Conference 2026
📍 Palexpo, Geneva 🕐 08:00–17:00
Conference
Jul 07 2026
Beyond the Hype: AI, Human Well-being, and the Future We Are Already Building
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 08:00–09:00
Roundtable
Jul 07 2026
Towards a Citizens Track for AI Governance
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 09:00–12:00
Roundtable
Jul 07 2026
AI for Monitoring Nutrition
📍 AI for Good Global Summit, Palexpo 🕐 13:00–14:00
Presentation
Jul 07 2026
The Humanitarian Connector
📍 AI for Good Global Summit, Palexpo 🕐 14:00–15:00
Presentation
Jul 07 2026
Activities of the Global Digital Governance Lab
📍 AI for Good Global Summit, Palexpo 🕐 15:00–17:00
Presentation

Past -->

Apr 23 2026
Towards a Citizens Track on AI Governance
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 08:30–09:30
Roundtable
Mar 12 2026
Digital Sovereignty Workshop
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 All day
Workshop
Dec 08 2025
Shaping the Road to the AI Impact Summit in India
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 08:30-09:30
Seminar
Nov 18 2025
Geneva in Action: Scaling School Connectivity Worldwide
📍 ITU, Geneva 🕐 16:30–18:00
Panel
Mar 24 2025
Digital & Data Sovereignty: Definitions and Technologies for Independence and Resilience
📍 Geneva Graduate Institute 🕐 12:30–14:00
Roundtable