M. R. Sauter

M. R. Sauter is an Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland College of Information, specializing in the history and philosophy of technology. Their work examines intersections between high technology, finance, and social justice, with a focus on venture capital's role in shaping innovation ecosystems. They are the author of The Coming Swarm: DDoS Actions, Hacktivism, and Civil Disobedience on the Internet and Risk Capital: How High Finance Remade High Technology (under contract with University of Chicago Press).

• PhD in Communications Studies, McGill University (2020)
• Masters in Comparative Media Studies, MIT
• Research Fellowships: Berkman-Klein Center, New America

Research Interests: Sauter investigates corporate influences on digital security and rights through projects on:

• Venture capital history and mythmaking
• Public-private partnerships in tech
• Surveillance capitalism
• Smart cities ethics
• Information justice frameworks

Recent Publications explore venture capital policy evolution, algorithmic governance, and digital protest tactics across journals like The Atlantic, Journal of Communication, and New Media and Society.