Rachel Benchaya Gans

Rachel Benchaya Gans is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer at Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), affiliated with the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management, the Department of Engineering Systems and Services, and the Information and Communication Technology (ICT) group. She contributes to the CAP4CITY Project, a multidisciplinary initiative funded by the Erasmus+ Program of the European Union. In summer 2020, she commenced her PhD research on blockchain technology within the Communication Technology section.

Her research centers on the intersection of law, technology, and society. She investigates law and innovation, blockchain adoption for social impact, the ethical limits of technology, privacy, artificial intelligence, and human rights in digital society. Her work emphasizes responsible innovation and the governance of emerging technologies to ensure equitable and ethical outcomes.

The two most recent publications highlight her focus on blockchain-based self-sovereign identities, analyzing their governance and societal impact, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Her research demonstrates a consistent theme of leveraging digital technologies for public good while addressing critical legal and ethical challenges.

She was honored with the Open Education Ambassador Award in 2023, recognizing her contributions to open educational practices at TU Delft.

Rachel Benchaya Gans advises on digital innovation projects and participates in research collaborations. Her expertise is applied in interdisciplinary research grants, particularly those focused on technology governance and societal resilience. She works within the CAP4CITY research team, contributing to a collaborative environment focused on technology, policy, and social innovation.