The Carter Center and Georgia Institute of Technology are teaming up to support critical research on the intersection of technology and democratic governance. Today, the organizations commemorated the launch of their new joint Governance and Technology Fellowship.
The Carter Center’s Democracy Program and Georgia Tech’s Institute for People and Technology are supporting one doctoral fellow during the spring 2024 semester. Daniel Nkemelu, who is from Nigeria, will research how technologies like social media and computer-based voting impact democracies globally.
“There is an important relationship between technology and democracy. Together, we are committed to promoting secure and transparent technologies that reinforce democratic principles,” said Carter Center CEO Paige Alexander during a visit to Georgia Tech, marking the fellowship’s commencement.
The fellowship builds on a longstanding collaboration between the Carter Center and Georgia Tech, including with Michael Best, executive director of the Institute for People and Technology, who helped establish the fellowship.
“Technologies today are profoundly impacting democracies across the globe,” noted Georgia Tech President Ángel Cabrera. “This new fellowship and our ongoing partnership with The Carter Center express a shared commitment to strong democracies supported by secure technologies.”
Through the fellowship, Nkemelu will work closely with experts from both institutions. He will connect the Carter Center’s Democracy Program with relevant research from Georgia Tech aimed at advancing his research and informing policy conversations about technology’s role in elections, governance, and democracy.