The Digital Statecraft Academy (DSA) is proud to introduce its global network of experts and mentors, whose combined knowledge and experience will guide the first cohort of the DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme, launching in January 2026. This network composed of DSA Associates, Faculty Members, Guest Lecturers, and a dedicated Leadership Team, represents a cross-disciplinary approach to digital governance, AI, and emerging technologies. Together, they provide Fellows with mentorship, insights, and practical guidance necessary to navigate the complex intersections of technology, policy, and society.
DSA Associates contribute specialised knowledge and ongoing engagement throughout the programme. David U. Socol de la Osa, Assistant Professor in Legal Innovation at Hitotsubashi University and Senior Associate at Oxford EARTH, focuses on AI regulation, international economic law, and governance of global resources. His work bridges academic research with policy institutions and international organisations, supporting ethical and effective governance frameworks. Anastasija Nikiforova, Associate Professor of Applied AI and Information Systems at the University of Tartu, examines the responsible adoption of emerging technologies, data governance, and digital transformation, particularly within public sector contexts. Her research spans the interplay between technology, society, and policy, contributing to initiatives such as the European Open Science Cloud and serving on multiple editorial boards in AI and information systems.
The DSA Faculty Members provide rigorous academic leadership and shape the programme’s research-driven approach. Dr Sam Reynolds (University of Cambridge) studies AI’s transformative impact on evidence synthesis, ecology, and conservation, with an emphasis on responsible AI deployment in policymaking. Felix Steffek, Professor of Law at Cambridge, investigates AI, corporate law, and dispute resolution, leading projects on explainable and ethical legal AI. Miri Zilka, joining Cambridge as Assistant Professor in Responsible Machine Learning in February 2026, researches high-stakes applications of machine learning in social care and criminal justice, focusing on fairness, accountability, and ethical decision-making.
Complementing the Associates and Faculty, DSA Guest Lecturers provide practical insights and real-world perspectives. Ray Eitel-Porter, Senior Research Associate for Responsible AI at Jesus College Cambridge and author of Governing the Machine – How to Navigate the Risks of AI and Unlock Its True Potential, brings extensive experience in AI governance and policy, having led collaborations with Stanford, MIT, The Alan Turing Institute, and University of Oxford. He previously served as Accenture’s Global Lead for Responsible AI, designing AI compliance programmes at scale. As part of the DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme’s residency module, Fellows will have the rare opportunity to engage directly with Ray and other distinguished Guest Lecturers, gaining hands-on insights into responsible AI in policy and governance. This participation provides an unparalleled chance for Fellows to explore practical and strategic approaches to AI that are accountable, ethical, and fit for purpose. Jennifer Hansen, Director of Open Data Policy & Strategy at Microsoft, and Ade Famoti, Global Senior Director at Microsoft Research, further enrich the programme with expertise spanning industry, policy, and innovation.
The leadership team guides the strategic direction and vision of DSA. Jon Crowcroft, Marconi Professor at Cambridge and researcher-at-large at the Alan Turing Institute, provides foundational guidance. Co-Founders Tim Gordon and Zeynep Engin bring complementary expertise in digital and data transformation, AI governance, and global policy innovation. Dr Engin, who founded Data for Policy CIC and the Data & Policy journal, leads pioneering work in Human–AI Governance, Algorithmic Government, and GovTech, helping shape the DSA’s approach to responsible, evidence-based digital governance.
Hosted by The Digital Statecraft Academy, whose mission centres on advancing responsible and effective use of data and technology in policymaking, the DSA Cambridge Fellowship benefits from the support of distinguished partners, including Cambridge’s Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP) – University of Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, The GovLab, Microsoft, Data for Policy CIC, and Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure. These partnerships strengthen the Fellowship, providing Fellows with access to global expertise, practical resources, and collaborative opportunities across sectors.
Looking ahead, the inaugural cohort of the DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme will be announced in January 2026. This first cohort will bring together a diverse, globally connected group of leaders in digital governance, AI policy, and public sector innovation, representing six continents and spanning national and local governments, ministries, Prime Minister offices, statistical agencies, academia, startups, industry, and international organisations. Over the course of the year, Fellows will engage in expert-led sessions, personalised mentorship, and collaborative projects, gaining practical guidance from DSA Associates, Faculty, and Guest Lecturers. They will explore the challenges and opportunities of AI policy, digital transformation, and evidence-informed governance across varied contexts, from established democracies to emerging economies, fostering a dynamic environment for cross-disciplinary learning and innovation.
Through this world-class network of expertise and collaborative support, The Digital Statecraft Academy equips its Fellows to translate knowledge into action, navigate complex governance challenges responsibly, and shape the future of ethical and effective digital governance. Stay tuned for the official announcement of the inaugural cohort in January 2026.