The Trusted Internet Summer School on Internet Governance and International Law (SSIGIL) has recently concluded in Lodz, Poland. This fully funded, week-long event (8-12 July) was filled with insightful discussions and productive collaborations on satellite connectivity and internet governance. Hosted by the Lodz Cyber Hub (LCH) at the University of Lodz and GigaNet, this inaugural event offered the GigaNet community an exciting opportunity to explore the role of international law in Internet governance, as well as the challenges of the multistakeholder governance model.
Throughout the week, the participants approached international law, cybersecurity, Internet governance, and digital rights from the perspective of LEOs – Low Earth Orbit satellites. These satellites, used by companies like SpaceX and OneWeb, are becoming a crucial part of global Internet infrastructure, expanding connectivity in underserved and remote areas. Yet their use raises important questions about how the Internet is governed, how data is managed, and how international law applies to this new technology. The discussions at SSIGIL highlighted new developments around the world and explored the key pillars for developing legal and governance frameworks to manage the rapid growth and impact of LEO satellite networks.
The SSIGIL program was structured around five themes, with each day kickstarting with a presentation from a leading expert in the field. These thematic sessions ensured that participants could dive deep into specific areas of Internet governance and international law, guided by the knowledge and experience of seasoned professionals.
We are especially grateful to our distinguished expert leads, whose contributions were invaluable. Their insights and guidance played a crucial role in enriching the discussions and enhancing the overall learning experience for everyone involved.
Roxana Radu – GigaNet Chair and Associate Professor at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford
Dmitry Epstein – Former GigaNet Chair and Assistant Professor at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
Berna Akcali Gur – GigaNet Membership Committee Chair and Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London
Joanna Kulesza – CEO of LCH and Assistant. Professor of International Law, University of Lodz
Dan York – Director for Technology, Internet Society
The inaugural SSIGIL successfully brought together emerging scholars, policy and media practitioners, and established academics, emphasizing GigaNet’s pivotal role in advancing a new research agenda through collaborative efforts within its academic community and beyond.
The SSIGIL summer school was part of the “Decolonizing the Internet” research project, funded by the Internet Society Foundation’s Research Grant Program. This initiative is co-led by Joanna Kulesza, CEO of LCH and Assistant Professor of International Law at the University of Lodz, and Berna Akcali Gur, Lecturer at Queen Mary University of London. Since 2023, the project has focused on “Trust and Data Governance” within the broader theme of “Global Governance of Low Earth Orbit Satellite Broadband.”
Special thanks go to the Internet Society Foundation for their generous support, as well as to the University of Lodz for hosting. The SSIGIL summer school has deepened the discussions on satellite connectivity potential and challenges in internet governance and international law. The experiences and networks formed during the event will continuing to inspire and inform future initiatives in this space.