Rob Faris

Rob Faris joined the Berkman Center in May 2006. His work is focused on carrying out a global study of Internet censoring practices covering 35 countries in conjunction with colleagues at the OpenNet Initiative. This three-year study, supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, will produce the first comprehensive assessment of the growing involvement of governments around the world in restricting public access to Internet content.

Rob’s research interests concentrate on the integration of communication technology and participatory policy research to improve the effectiveness of public policy. His recent work is motivated by the belief that economic development is predicated on sound collective decision-making and that successful governance of the commons is best achieved through the active engagement of the public in a well-informed dialogue.

Rob has worked extensively in Latin America and Asia on issues related to economic development, public policy and environmental management, while holding positions at the Harvard Institute for International Development and Harvard’s Center for International Development. Prior to joining the Berkman Center, Rob held a research position at the Harvard Graduate School of Design where he managed a series of projects in Panama and Mexico to develop and apply multidisciplinary computer simulation tools to complex public policy decisions with the aim of fostering greater public participation in collective decisions. Rob has worked in numerous South Asian countries while living in Nepal for nine years, where he was teaching science as a Peace Corps volunteer, guiding mountain treks, and running an adventure travel company.

Drawing upon his past work in the research and design of policies to protect the natural commons, Rob is now applying this experience to the work at the Berkman Center related to protecting the digital commons. As cyberspace plays an increasing role in the success and failure of regions and states, he is excited to be involved in a field of research that is of growing salience to international economic development.

Rob holds a M.A. and PhD. in International Relations from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania.