Paola Verhaert

Prior to joining SMIT, Paola spent several years researching the impact of emerging technologies on vulnerable populations and the responsible, secure and strategic use of technology and data by civil society. She has supported and advised (civil society) organisations across the world on these matters, including Médecins Sans Frontiers, The Engine Room, Oxfam GB, Ford Foundation, Open Tech Fund and Open Society Justice Initiative. Paola studied contemporary history, digital humanities, philosophy, and European Policy Making. Next to her academic work, she is an avid writer, an editorial board member at Samenleving & Politiek, a VOCATIO laureate, and a member of Hyster-x, a feminist writers' collective.

Paola’s research interests lie at the intersection of social justice and technology. She is particularly interested in understanding what justice looks like in an increasingly digitalised and atomised world, and how individuals and collectives are organising on issues related to digital rights. Her current research focuses on the exclusionary effects of emerging technologies and related governmental policy responses.

Paola is involved in several projects aimed at assessing the effectiveness and impact of governmental policy responses to digital inequalities.