Course Director:
Professor Ann Fitz-Gerald
This course provides graduate students with an in-depth understanding of the technology-policy nexus—an interface that is critical for effective policy analysis and implementation.
Enrolled students will participate in expert-led lectures, interactive discussions, applied case studies, and policy-oriented group exercises. The course will also include presentations by leading scholars and practitioners, examining the governance challenges and opportunities arising from society’s digital transformation. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certificate.
Program Structure
Week 1: The New General-Purpose Infrastructure
This first week explores the foundational building blocks of the digital age and the governance challenges emerging from them.
- Artificial Intelligence, Adoption, and Semiconductors
Exploring AI’s developmental trajectory, practical applications, adoption challenges, and the semiconductor technologies that underpin modern computing and AI systems. - Data Privacy, Economic Prosperity, and Intangible Assets
Examining how privacy frameworks, data governance, and the valuation of data and intangible assets shape innovation, productivity, and economic growth. - Cybersecurity, Sovereign Compute, and Governance Risk
Introducing cybersecurity fundamentals, Canada’s cyber posture, sovereign compute capabilities, and emerging challenges related to trust, resilience, and technology governance. - Intellectual Property and Standards Setting
Understanding how intellectual property strategies and technical standards influence innovation ecosystems, market access, and technological leadership.
Week 2: Navigating Digital Policy in an Era of Intangibles
The second week examines how emerging technologies are reshaping international trade, economic systems, privacy frameworks, and security policy.
- A New Era of International Trade
The changing landscape of international trade policy in a world increasingly driven by digital assets and services. - The New Economy and Intangible Capital
Exploring how intangibles, digital platforms, and technological transformation are reshaping economic systems. - Industrial Policy, Foreign Affairs, and National Security Innovation
Analyzing the intersection of emerging technologies, industrial policy, foreign affairs strategies, and technological innovation in the national security domain. - Space Governance and Emerging Frontiers
Addressing the governance challenges and opportunities emerging in the space domain. Program wrap up.
Learning outcomes:
Students will gain knowledge of the key concepts underlying artificial intelligence, data economies, cybersecurity, digital trade, and emerging technologies, which are reshaping global governance, economic competitiveness, and national security.
Who should attend:
This interdisciplinary course is designed for graduate students at Canadian universities from policy, social science, and STEM backgrounds who wish to deepen their understanding of the technology-policy nexus.
Delivery:
The course will be delivered in-person at the Balsillie School of International Affairs, with sessions held from August 10th to August 20th, Monday through Thursday, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Daily lunch and refreshments are included in the registration fee.
Registration and Fees:
Interested students must register and pay the course fee by July 31, 2026.
- Standard Fee: $499
- Early Bird Rate: $399 (use code EARLYBIRD – valid until June 30, 2026)
- BSIA student rate: $250
2026 Technology Governance Summer School Registration
This button will take you to an external website to pay with a credit card.
If you would like to pay via e-transfer, please contact info@balsillieschool.ca.
- Registrations are open until July 31.
- Participants have until August 3rd to withdraw from the program and receive a full refund. Withdrawals after this date will not be refunded.
- Partial refunds for missed days during the program due to illness or personal reasons may be issued on a case-by-case basis, upon request to the program organizer.
