MIT Internet Policy Research Initiative

The Internet Policy Research Initiative (IPRI) collaborates with policymakers and technologists to improve the trustworthiness and effectiveness of interconnected digital systems like the Internet. Work provides global policymakers with technically grounded guidance for policies regarding cybersecurity, Internet privacy, and more. We accomplish our mission by relying on: core engineering and public policy research, education, and outreach.

The mission of IPRI is to work with policy makers and technologists to increase the trustworthiness and effectiveness of interconnected digital systems. IPRI will accomplish this through engineering and public policy research, education and engagement. IPRI is led by faculty researchers from engineering, social science and management labs at MIT and housed at the MIT Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. At a time when technology issues are increasingly at the center of some of the most pressing global debates about economic wellbeing and political stability, the new Project on Technology, the Economy, and National Security aims to bring together disparate fields to produce a body of scholarship and community of engaged students researchers to tackle these complex challenges.  The Project, a part of MIT’s Internet Policy Research Initiative, will be led by former technology advisor to President Obama, Dr. R. David Edelman.

With the generous support of the Hewlett Foundation, the Ford Foundation and the National Science Foundation, MIT created the Internet Policy Research Initiative to bring together the best of MIT’s engineering, social science, and management insight to this most vexing challenge. The goal is helping guide governments and private sector institutions around the world in framing sustainable, effective Internet and cybersecurity policy.