Milton L Mueller

Milton L Mueller is a Professor and Program Director for the Master of Science in Cybersecurity Policy at the Jimmy and Rosalynn Carter School of Public Policy, Georgia Institute of Technology. He is a globally recognized scholar in Internet governance, cybersecurity, and the political economy of digital technologies. His work bridges academic research and policy practice, influencing institutions like ICANN and the Internet Governance Forum (IGP), which he co-founded in 2004. Mueller holds a Ph.D. (1989) and M.A. (1986) from the University of Pennsylvania’s Annenberg School.

Research focuses on global digital governance, including AI policy, cybersecurity frameworks, and the intersection of trade and digital ecosystems. Notable projects include analyzing online identity systems (WebPKI, RPKI) and evaluating geopolitical tensions over digital sovereignty. His books Declaring Independence in Cyberspace (2025) and Networks and States (2010) are foundational texts in the field.

Mueller advises governments and international bodies, participates in regulatory proceedings, and has testified in landmark telecommunications cases. He leads initiatives like GigaNet, fostering global academic collaboration in Internet governance. Current research explores AI governance, digital trade barriers, and the evolving role of non-state actors in cybersecurity.

Professional contributions include directing the Internet Governance Project, advising ICANN reforms, and shaping standards for digital identity. His work emphasizes transnational cooperation over sovereignty-driven fragmentation, advocating for inclusive, multi-stakeholder governance models.