The Centre for Digital Governance at the Hertie School is pleased to invite you to the event: How Can We Protect Independent Technology Research in an Age of Political Constraints? Date: Wednesday, 18 February 2026 Time: 3:00 – 4:00 pm (CET) Location: 3.01 Hertie School Format: On-site event Join us and our distinguished speaker Brandi Geurkink (Coalition for Independent Technology Research) for a discussion on how advocacy, organising, and research intersect to shape the governance of our digital world. The event will be moderated by Prof. Daniela Stockmann (Centre for Digital Governance).

From auditing YouTube’s recommendation algorithm to leading a global coalition for independent technology research, Brandi Geurkink has spent much of her career organising people to push for ethical and transparent digital systems. Join us for a discussion on how advocacy, organising, and research intersect to shape the governance of our digital world—and what future changemakers can do to make technology more accountable. This event is part of our Digital Governance in Practice event series. More information and registration: https://www.hertie-school.org/en/digitalgovernance/events/event-detail/event...