Pavlina Ittelson

Pavlina Ittelson serves as Executive Director of Diplo US and a regular lecturer in Diplo’s postgraduate and professional courses. Her expertise focuses on legal aspects of internet governance, science diplomacy, and tech diplomacy, with research emphasizing comparative digital policy analysis and diplomatic practices. She holds a Law degree from Comenius University (Bratislava) and an LLM in International Business Law from Central European University (Budapest). Prior roles include legal practice and project management in international business, science, and technology sectors.

Her research interests include:

• Tech diplomacy actors and global digital governance
• Strategic engagement of civil society in internet governance
• Comparative analysis of national digital policies
• Cybersecurity negotiations and frameworks

Recent publications explore tech diplomacy trends in hubs like the San Francisco Bay Area, digital policy integration with foreign strategies, and environmental synergies with digital technologies. She frequently contributes to expert dialogues on AI governance, multilateral tech negotiations, and inclusive internet access initiatives.

Key professional activities include organizing expert-led dialogues on digital governance, launching Diplo’s AI Campus initiative, and advising on science diplomacy frameworks for sustainable development goals.