DSA Cambridge Fellowship: Leadership for the Algorithmic Age

The DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme is a selective, 12-month leadership development programme designed for public leaders and policy professionals working at the intersection of technology, data, and governance.

Delivered by The Digital Statecraft Academy (DSA) and supported by the Centre for Science and Policy (CSaP), University of Cambridge, Microsoft, Cambridge University Press, The GovLab (NYU), Data for Policy CIC, and the Centre for Digital Public Infrastructure (CDPI), the Fellowship equips participants with the strategic insight, ethical grounding, and practical tools required to govern effectively in an era shaped by artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, and data-driven decision-making.

The programme brings together a global, interdisciplinary cohort from government, academia, international organisations, and industry, creating a trusted space for peer learning, reflection, and applied problem-solving.

 To apply, please complete this form  – we look forward to welcoming the next cohort of public leaders.

 This 12-month hybrid programme includes

  • Capstone project – Fellows develop solutions for pressing regional challenges aligned with their institutional contexts
  • Exclusive week-long Cambridge residency – Immersive training with world-renowned experts
  • Hybrid Learning Sessions – Workshops combining the DSA curriculum with expertise from leading international practitioners and academic experts
  • Tailored networking and expert engagement – Structured access to leading academics, practitioners, and strategic connections within the global fellowship ecosystem throughout the year
  • Global visibility and impact – Presentation opportunities at the prestigious Data for Policy international conference, public webinars, and partner networks
  • Publication pathway – Support from Cambridge University Press for disseminating research findings

A Certificate of Completion will be awarded at the end of the programme. Fellows will also join our Fellowship Alumni Network for ongoing collaboration, leadership development, and professional opportunities beyond the 12-month programme.

This programme is multidisciplinary. Don’t be concerned if you don’t have direct experience in AI or digital innovation. We’re in an age where all of these developments will be touching every profession.

Guy Gresham - DSA Cambridge Fellow

Independent Advisor

If you have a desire to help ensure that technology, and the pace of technology, isn’t something that simply happens to us, but something we actively engage with so that it serves society as a public good, then this is the programme for you.

Jennifer Pougnet - DSA Cambridge Fellow

Head of Data Strategy & Data Policy, Roche

Focus Areas

Digital Public Infrastructure

Algorithmic Governance

GovTech

Data for Policy

What Fellows Gain

  • Strategic leadership capacity for governing emerging technologies
  • Practical understanding of AI, data, and digital systems in public contexts
  • Access to leading academic and practitioner expertise
  • A global peer network committed to public value and responsible innovation
  • Membership in the DSA Alumni Network

Who is the Fellowship Designed For?

The DSA Cambridge Fellowship Programme is designed for senior and emerging leaders in government, public institutions, academia, and relevant industries who:

  • Have demonstrated professional leadership, or academic contribution

  • Are committed to advancing public value, ethical governance, and evidence-informed decision-making

  • Are ready to engage with complex, interdisciplinary challenges at the intersection of technology, policy, and governance

  • Seek to develop practical skills in digital statecraft, algorithmic governance, and data-driven policy

Ideal candidates are professionals, researchers or practitioners with significant responsibilities, influence, or potential to shape institutional strategy, policy design, or technology-enabled public-sector transformation.

Application & Terms

Learn about eligibility, selection criteria, application requirements, and the programme’s participation terms.   Find Out More

Programme Structure

Explore the DSA Cambridge Fellowship’s learning design, timeline, and core components in detail.  Find out more