Technology Governance Initiative

Jim Balsillie

Rapid technology innovations continue to impact all areas of international affairs. Good governance and effective policy supporting these innovations are critical for national resilience, and the strength of the international system. I believe that the research expertise in Waterloo Region, led by the Balsillie School of International Affairs, will bring solutions to these challenges.” Jim Balsillie

In September 2023, the BSIA was the recipient of a $5 million dollar donation from the Balsillie Family Foundation for the establishment of the Technology Governance Initiative (TGI) at the School.

The TGI at the BSIA will include the development of several new projects including:

  • The Balsillie Scholars Program, which will bring top international technology governance scholars/practitioners to the School for terms ranging from three months to one year for student/young faculty mentorship, research and collaboration. Call for applications now open.
  • Several student-focused initiatives including a two-week Technology Governance Summer School, paid Internship Support in technology fields, and an Annual Student Policy Challenge focused on technology governance.
  • An annual Balsillie Survey, which will present data and analysis reflecting technology governance and policy-related feedback from Canada’s top technology leaders, providing important empirical data and analyses for both the policy and research communities.
  • The publication of the Technology Governance Case Study series, which will address contemporary technology-related challenges impacting on public policy and global governance.

More information about the Survey and Case Study projects will be available soon.

TGI News and Announcements

Registration for the Technology Governance Summer School is now open for BSIA students! Registration for Laurier and UW students will open on May 1, 2024. For more information, visit https://www.balsillieschool.ca/event/technology-governance-summer-school-2024/

Registration is now open to attend the Technology Governance Policy Challenge on April 19, 2024. Teams of students will review the case study, Technology Governance Policy Challenge: Combating a Coordinated Disinformation Campaign.” For more information and to register, visit https://www.balsillieschool.ca/event/2024-technology-governance-policy-challenge/

The Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) is pleased to announce its inaugural Call for Applications to the Balsillie Scholars program. For more information, visit https://www.balsillieschool.ca/balsillie-scholars/.

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