I had the pleasure of attending an introduction – an ‘onboarding’ – of this year’s new Fellows of The Portulans Institute. There is nothing like meeting a group of talented early career academics and professionals to reinforce my optimism about the future. Our fellows are a clear example of this promise.
The Portulans Institute is best known for its role in developing and sustaining key indices, such as the Network Readiness Index – the NRI. In addition, the institute is increasingly broadening in the direction of cross-disciplinary and multi-institutional research projects, such as a recent research project on Ukraine, called the Ukraine Case Studies, which has generated research support from UNESCO and the government of Japan. Given the strength and growing range of activities, we are evolving into a global think tank as we increasingly contribute to problem-solving and policy issues across the domain of digital media, information, and communication processes and innovations. The Ukraine study is one strong example.
Our research and thinktank functions are both enhanced each year by bringing on fellows. As our Web site notes, the Portulan Fellows are “graduate students and young professionals who work on novel research related to human capital, technology, and innovation policies over the course of their 12-month Fellowship.”[1] The opportunity I had to listen to this year’s set of fellows introduce themselves was inspiring. They are a remarkably strong and diverse set of individuals with a clear cross-cutting AI theme in their work plans. As a group they are international, multi-disciplinary, and exceptionally talented. The enthusiasm they have for their research is palpable from their brief bios.
More information about the fellows is posted here on the Portulans’ Website, but ever so briefly, the new fellows include:
- Jens Meijen is a doctoral researcher at the University of Leuven and a consultant in AI governance, risk, and compliance. He is a founder and managing partner at Umaniq, where he advises clients on the AI Act, and at Ulysses AI, where he focuses on responsible AI prototyping. He was a Fulbright Fellow at Stanford University where he worked on AI and venture capital, a Europaeum Scholar in the University of Oxford’s Europaeum network, a Global Policy Fellow at the Institute for Technology and Society in Rio de Janeiro, and an Atlantic Dialogues Emerging Leader in Morocco. Next to his academic and consulting career, he has worked as a journalist and author for the past decade, publishing several books.
- Cassie Jiun Seo is a public-interest technology specialist dedicated to aligning technology with organizational missions, with a background spanning multilateral organizations, humanitarian/development, and the tech industry. She is an advocate for the responsible and sustainable use of technology, particularly in complex and fragile geopolitical environments. She has advised the World Health Organization to leverage the power of open source (software, collaboration and community) to strengthen pandemic and epidemic preparedness. Previously, she led a team of technologists building critical digital tools and infrastructure for large-scale humanitarian interventions. Cassie is exploring the intricacies of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).
- Jonathan Puerta is a consultant and researcher in economics of innovation, artificial intelligence policy, competitiveness, and industrialisation. He specializes in conducting research and policy evaluation, managing cross-sector projects, and collaborating with global stakeholders. Jonathan delivers insights and policy recommendations to key organizations, including the European Commission, the Japan Science & Technology Agency, and the Inter-American Development Bank (IADB). As a member of Technopolis Group, he evaluates EU and global innovation policies and programmes. His prior experience includes an internship at the OECD focused on AI adoption in G7 nations, a Research Assistant role at SPRU-University of Sussex studying technology’s impact on labor markets, and leading entrepreneurship and innovation programmes at Colombia’s National Industry Association (ANDI). Jonathan holds a Distinction MSc in Science & Technology Policy from the University of Sussex and a BSc in Business Administration from Universidad de Antioquia. He is also a One Young World Ambassador, Global Shapers Fellow, and YLAI alum.
- Marine Ragnet is a senior international affairs expert specializing in the intersection of emerging technologies, international affairs, and governance. As a non-resident Researcher with New York University’s Peace Research and Education Program, she leads research on AI applications in fragile contexts. Marine also serves as a Fellow at The GovLab at NYU, where she analyzes the policy implications of emerging technologies on international relations. With over a decade of experience, Marine has held key positions in diplomacy and policy development. As Public Affairs Advisor for the U.S. Mission to the O.E.C.D., she crafted initiatives to advance U.S. technology policy priorities. At the European Union Advisory Mission in the Central African Republic, she developed strategies to counter disinformation in a low-tech, post-conflict environment. Her work encompasses international policy, advocacy and multi-stakeholder governance approaches in complex global settings. Fluent in French and English, Marine has authored publications on a range of topics including digital democracy, peacebuilding technologies, human rights and the impact of AI on international relations.
- Moritz von Knebel works on the intersection of emerging technologies and foreign policy. Leveraging his background in Political Science and Philosophy as well as his cross-sectoral and international work experience, he has previously conducted research on institutions for future generations, safety standards in critical industries and the role of international coordination on Artificial Intelligence. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences in Stanford, Taipei and Berlin. Previously, Moritz was a DAAD-funded Research Scholar at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taiwan, a UN Ambassador for Future Generations and (in a former life) a university lecturer and civil servant. Currently, he is a Mercator Fellow on International Affairs, a Research Fellow at the Forethought Foundation and a consultant to the OECD.
- Juhi Koré is a Global Shaper at the World Economic Forum, a TEDx speaker, and a published author and researcher specializing in AI, data privacy, and digital trust. She holds a Master’s degree from Oxford University and has extensive experience in managing AI-driven projects and policy research. Juhi currently serves as a Research Fellow at the Portulans Institute and as the Researcher & Outreach Lead at the Oxford Disinformation & Extremism Lab. Her work explores the role of AI in promoting online harms such as disinformation, while also focusing on the ethical governance of emerging technologies and their broader tech policy and privacy implications. Juhi has previously worked with organizations including the United Nations Development Programme, Google Jigsaw, and the Gates Foundation on initiatives ranging from AI content moderation and community building to digital privacy strategies. Her passion lies in empowering young people with the knowledge and tools they need to protect their digital footprints, make informed decisions, and advocate for ethical data practices. Through her research, consulting, and public speaking, she is committed to driving positive change in how we approach AI, privacy, and digital literacy in an increasingly connected world.
All of my colleagues welcome you to follow the Portulans Institute and learn more about the projects of this talented set of graduate students and young professionals over the coming year.
[1] https://portulansinstitute.org/introducing-portulans-institutes-2023-24-fellows/ and see: https://portulansinstitute.org/introducing-portulans-institutes-2024-2025-fellows/