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The Geopolitics of Technology Initiative

The Geopolitics of Technology Initiative — or Geo-Tech Initiative for short — is a student-led research project being done in cooperation between the Yale Policy Institute (YPI) and William and Mary's Global Research Institute (GRI). Our goals are to develop research and policy ideas through exploring how emerging technologies are shaping geopolitical competition in the Indo-Pacific region, to examine the extent of China’s technological presence in the region and its implications, and to develop a community of practice featuring policymakers and experts within this subject area.

Our Methodology

The Geo-Tech Initiative will produce a body of research through various workflows:

1. Qualitative research to analyze the broad trends of when and where China has deployed certain technologies in the Indo-Pacific. This research will aim to develop an understanding of the countries and technology areas where China is deeply invested and the ramifications on societal and geopolitical outcomes.
2. Quantitative research through partnering with AidData’s Chinese Development Finance Program to provide a empirically informed understanding of the extent of China’s involvement in the region’s technology sector. It builds upon AidData’s Global Chinese Development Finance Dataset Version 2.0 by identifying projects where Chinese contracts are engaged in implementation, and others where Chinese entities are partnered with multilateral aid agencies.
3. Case Studies analyzing specific projects to dive deeper into China’s process of financing and implementing new technologies within the Indo-Pacific. It would identify the various actors involved in introducing emerging technologies to the region, the on-the-ground impact of said technologies, etc. 

Our Goals

Through our research, we aim to create the following outputs:

1. The YPI and W&M GRI student teams will develop a policy research paper that will describe the key findings of the project, scope areas for future research, and make recommendations for the U.S. and its allies, partners, and other like-minded nations in the Indo-Pacific region.
2. The Initiative aims to create a working database on China’s technological transactions within the Indo-Pacific. This would become a public good for policy analysts to draw key information on China’s overseas activities in the technology sector.
3. The Geo-Tech Initiative will host a seminar series, interviewing local experts and officials on the topic semi-monthly to develop a more localized and detailed understanding of the perspectives related to the topic.
4. The Initiative will create new educational opportunities for students at W&M and Yale, including both subject matter expertise through deep dives into dozens of projects and applied learning through interactions with seasoned experts in the realms of foreign and technology policy.

Focus Areas

Our interdisciplinary research will work across sectors and countries, focusing on technology and economic development within areas such as health, climate preparedness, governance, inequality,]and sustainable development.

More information: https://linktr.ee/applygeotech
Project Leaders and Founders: Andy Shufer ‘25 (Co-Director at W&M) and Pranav Pattatathunaduvil ‘25 (Co-Director at Yale)

GRI Advisors: Eric Brown (Senior Research Scientist, GRI) and Dr. Ammar A. Malik (Senior Research Scientist at AidData)

Contact Information: Pranav Pattatathunaduvil - Student Lead at Yale - Email: pranav.pattatathunaduvil@yale.edu

Andy Shufer - Student Lead at W&M. [[w|axshufer, Email Andy]]