Marietje Schaake, an outgoing Member of the European Parliament who initiated the net neutrality law now in effect throughout Europe, will be the Cyber Policy Center’s international policy director, and an international policy fellow at the university’s Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence. 

The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI) are pleased to announce that Marietje Schaake has been named to international policy roles in each of their organizations.

At FSI, Schaake will serve as the first international policy director of the Cyber Policy Center. With a focus on cybersecurity, disinformation, digital democracy and election security, the Cyber Policy Center’s research, teaching and policy engagement aims to bring new insights and solutions to national governments, international institutions and industry.

Schaake will also be an international policy fellow at Stanford HAI, which seeks to advance artificial intelligence (AI) research, education, policy and practice to improve the human condition. The university-wide institute is committed to working with industry, governments and civil society organizations that share the goal of a better future for humanity through AI. 

Connecting Cyber Research with the World

As international policy director at the Cyber Policy Center, Schaake will conduct policy-relevant research focused on cyber policy recommendations for industry and government. In addition to her own research, she will represent the center to governments, NGOs and the technology industry. 

“Over the course of her career in the European Parliament, Marietje Schaake has distinguished herself as someone who not only has a deep understanding of cyber policy issues, but knows how to enact the appropriate policy-related measures in the real world,” said Nathaniel Persily, the center’s faculty co-director, and the James B. McClatchy Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. “She is a fantastic addition to our growing team of researchers and practitioners from across disciplines, and I can’t wait to welcome her to campus in the fall.” 

In addition to research and policy outreach, Schaake will teach courses on cyber policy, particularly from an international perspective, and bring leaders to Stanford from around the world to discuss cyber policy.  

“Marietje’s extensive experience in politics, with a special focus on cyber policy, will bring a critical perspective to our classrooms,” said Michael McFaul, director of FSI. “Her stellar reputation and track record as a policymaker will be key in building connections between Stanford’s community of students, scholars and relevant policy influencers around the world.” 

At the Forefront of AI Policy and Scholarship

As the inaugural international policy fellow at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, Schaake will work with faculty to translate research into practical and implementable policy recommendations, and support the institute’s work to partner with AI leaders across sectors.

“AI is a technology that will affect every dimension of human life, and to ensure that its development and deployment is broadly beneficial for humans and society, we need to incorporate global perspectives into our work,” said Rob Reich, HAI associate director and professor of political science. “Marietje played a leading role in establishing the field of cyber policy in Europe, and will contribute enormously to the creation of a community of research, policy and practice focused on addressing the real-world impact of AI. And through her writing and teaching, she can help to shape the future generation of leaders across academia, government, industry and civil society.”

A Career of Policy Impact

Prior to joining Stanford, Marietje Schaake led an active career in politics and civic service. She was a representative of the Dutch Democratic Party and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in European Parliament, where she was first elected in 2009. 

In European Parliament, Schaake focused on trade, foreign policy and technology, and as a member of the Global Commission on the Stability of Cyberspace, and founder of the European Parliament Intergroup on the European Digital Agenda, Schaake develops solutions to strengthen the rule of law online, including initiating the net neutrality law now in effect throughout Europe.

“It is an honor to be joining the talented and dedicated teams at FSI and HAI on the Stanford campus,” said Schaake. “I look forward to researching and developing sensible cyber policy recommendations and to continue to bridge the gaps between governments and the technology sector around the world.”

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About the Cyber Policy Center

The digital age has exposed countries to new security threats and sovereignty challenges that policymakers have only begun to address. In addition, social media and network technologies increasingly strain the balance between protecting freedom of expression and preventing foreign actors from influencing elections. To date, technological advancement in this domain has outpaced government policies, doctrines or regulations. The Cyber Policy Center at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University aims to address this need through research, policy advocacy and teaching. Program areas address topics including cybersecurity, election security, misinformation, digital democracy and human rights, and emerging technologies. Through research, policy engagement and teaching, the Cyber Policy Center brings cutting-edge insights and solutions to national governments, international institutions and industry.

About the Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence

At Stanford HAI, our vision for the future is led by our commitment to studying, guiding and developing human-centered AI technologies and applications. We believe AI should be collaborative, augmentative, and enhancing to human productivity and quality of life. Our mission is to advance AI research, education, policy, and practice to improve the human condition. Stanford HAI leverages the university’s strength across all disciplines, including business, economics, education, genomics, law, literature, medicine, neuroscience, philosophy and more. These complement Stanford's tradition of leadership in AI, computer science, engineering and robotics.

Marietje Schaake can be reached by email at mschaake@stanford.edu. Her website is www.marietjeschaake.eu.

Media Inquiries: Mike Sellitto, Deputy Director, Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, shai-press@stanford.edu

The Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies (FSI) is pleased to announce that Kelly Born has been named the first executive director of the Cyber Policy Center. With a focus on cybersecurity, disinformation, digital democracy and election security, the Cyber Policy Center’s research, teaching and policy engagement aim to bring new insights and solutions to national governments, international institutions and industry.

As executive director, Born will collaborate with the center’s program leaders to pioneer academic programs focused on cyber issues, including new lines of research, a case-based, policy-oriented curriculum, pre- and postdoctoral training and practitioner fellowships, policy workshops and executive education. Born will also serve as the key spokesperson within the university and externally to the media, policy influencers, industry, foundations and civil society organizations. 

Prior to joining Stanford, Born helped to launch and lead The Madison Initiative at the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, one of the largest philanthropic undertakings in America working to reduce polarization and improve U.S. democracy. There, Born designed and implemented strategies focused on money in politics, electoral reform, civic engagement and digital disinformation. In this capacity, Born worked with academics, government leaders, social media companies, foundations, and nonprofits around the world to help improve online information ecosystems. 

Before joining the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Born worked as a strategy consultant with the Monitor Group, supporting strategic planning efforts at Fortune 100 companies, governments, and nonprofits in the U.S., Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. 

Born earned a master’s degree in international policy from Stanford University. The graduate program is offered through the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies.

“We are thrilled that Kelly is returning to Stanford to play a leadership role at the Cyber Policy Center,” said Nathaniel Persily, the center’s faculty co-director, and the James B. McClatchy Professor of Law at Stanford Law School. “Her deep knowledge of our core research areas and strong relationships with leaders in academia, government and technology circles position the center well to achieve its strategic aims.”

The Cyber Policy Center was established in June 2019 and includes four programs: the Program on Democracy and the Internet; the Program on Geopolitics, Technology, and Governance; the Internet Observatory; and the Global Digital Policy Incubator. Together, they focus on addressing the threats cyber technologies pose to security and governance worldwide. 

The center’s launch event, “Securing Our Cyber Future: Innovative Approaches to Digital Threats,” featured the center’s first white paper, Securing American Elections: Prescriptions for Enhancing the Integrity and Independence of the 2020 U.S. Presidential Elections and Beyond,” which was co-authored by scholars affiliated with the Cyber Policy Center. The report details 45 recommendations for protecting the 2020 U.S. presidential election from domestic and foreign interference.

“I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with the distinguished faculty and staff at the new Cyber Policy Center, as well as the broader Stanford community of faculty and students,” said Born. “Questions of how best to maximize the benefits and minimize the harms presented by our increasingly networked, online world are amongst the most important and challenging questions global societies are grappling with today. Stanford’s Cyber Policy Center is ideally suited to pursue the research, teaching and policy engagement necessary to help answer these questions.”

About the Cyber Policy Center

The digital age has exposed countries to new security threats and sovereignty challenges that policymakers have only begun to address. In addition, social media and network technologies increasingly strain the balance between protecting the First Amendment and preventing foreign actors from influencing elections. To date, technological advancement in this domain has outpaced government policies, doctrines, or regulations. The Cyber Policy Center at the Freeman Spogli Institute for International Studies at Stanford University aims to address this need through research, policy advocacy and teaching. Program areas address topics including cybersecurity, election security, misinformation, digital democracy and human rights, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies. Through research, policy engagement and teaching, the Cyber Policy Center brings cutting-edge insights and solutions to national governments, international institutions, and industry.