In September 2011, CMCS research fellow Stefania Milan joined The Citizen Lab at the University of Toronto.
The Citizen Lab is an interdisciplinary research and development hothouse working at the intersection of the Internet, global security, and human rights. Based at the Munk School of Global Affairs, it is directed by Prof. Ronald Deibert. Its discovery in 2009 of GhostNet, a cyberspy network, became international news. Ongoing research projects include the Information Warfare Monitor, the OpenNet Initiative, OpenNet Eurasia, and Opennet.Asia. The Citizen Lab developed the original design of the Psiphon censorship circumvention software, presented at the CMCS 2011 summer school.
At The Citizen Lab, Stefania will investigate the development and evolution of grassroots digital infrastructure, and its interplay with power in and governance of cyberspace: how do political and cultural values of developers shape digital communication infrastructure and power in cyberspace? How do these values travel across time, space, and social groups? How do they influence policy, in fields like net neutrality, data retention, standard-setting, and information control? In addition, Stefania will also conduct research on digital research methods and epistemological issues for research in a digital environment.
Stefania spent the 2011 winter and spring terms teaching an internet and communication-related course at the CEU Political Science Department. She has also supervised Master theses on the same topics. Despite being based in Canada, Stefania will continue collaborating with the CMCS.