Digital Policy Leadership Program
The Digital Policy Leadership Program is open to bachelor’s students from all INSPER (São Paulo) and University of St.Gallen courses. It is designed for those who wish to gain knowledge, experience, networking, and leadership skills in digital policy, benefiting from international exposure and mentorship from experienced professors…
Introducing the Lemann Digital Policy Leadership Program
The Digital Policy Leadership Program is open to bachelor’s students from all INSPER (São Paulo) and University of St.Gallen courses. It is designed for those who wish to gain knowledge, experience, networking, and leadership skills in digital policy, benefiting from international exposure and mentorship from experienced professors and researchers.
The University of St.Gallen specializes in business administration, economics, law, international affairs, and computer science and offers an extensive curriculum and research in topics related to digital technologies. INSPER is a leading institution in São Paulo, Brazil, offering innovative and interdisciplinary programs in law, business administration, economics, computer science, and engineering. The Exchange Office at INSPER provides extensive support and integration opportunities for exchange students.
St. Gallen, the capital of the Canton of St. Gallen, features heritage sites of national significance and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is close to nature and the mountains, and offers a vibrant student life. São Paulo, Brazil’s largest city, is a vibrant metropolis and a hub for tech companies, digital policy research, and advocacy. The city offers a dynamic mix of cultural experiences, making it an exciting place to live and study.
Student Exchange between the University of St.Gallen and INSPER.
Program Overview
Partners: University of St. Gallen, Switzerland & INSPER, Brazil.
Duration: 4 or 5 months abroad, in the Fall or Spring semesters.
Key Points
- Focused Program: Bridging Brazil and Switzerland in issues related to digital policy.
- Interdisciplinary Approach: Law, economics, business, and computer science/engineering collaboration.
The program, funded by the Lemann Foundation and offered by the University of St. Gallen and INSPER, presents a development opportunity for bachelor students to benefit from the strengths of both institutions in digital policy.
Participants will take classes, conduct research, and have networking opportunities to develop their knowledge and skills. The program integrates interdisciplinary views from Swiss and Brazilian contexts and offers opportunities for developing leadership and career paths in digital policy.
Activities During the Exchange
Throughout the exchange program, students will engage in activities to enhance their understanding and skills in digital policy, including:
• Leadership Training: Engage with experts to develop skills and explore career opportunities.
• Research Projects: Contribute 4-8 hours weekly to research projects at the host institution.
• Mentorship Program: Receive guidance from mentors throughout the program.
• Digital Policy Day: Organize an event fostering community engagement on key topics.
• Networking and Learning Visits: Excursions to meet institutions and stakeholders in Geneva and Brazilian policy and research bodies in São Paulo.
Fellowship Funding
The Lemann Foundation funds costs related to flights, visas, accommodation, and board for the duration of the fellowship abroad.
Eligibility and Requirements
Applicants must be bachelor’s students at the University of St.Gallen / Insper, should have a keen interest in digital policy, and demonstrate that the program fits their career aspirations. Participants commit to engaging in the programs’ activities.
At the University of St.Gallen: many courses are offered in English. German knowledge benefits student life and a basic course is offered by the University of St.Gallen Mobility Services before each semester starts.
At INSPER: while classes at INSPER can be taken in English, basic knowledge of Portuguese is beneficial for settling in and integrating. The University of St. Gallen offers Portuguese courses that successful applicants are encouraged to consider.
Application Process
For students at the University of St. Gallen: Applications for Autumn 2026 and Spring 2027 will be opened on 20 November 2025! The deadline to apply is 11 December 2025, at 16:00 (CET). Please visit the application portal to submit all required documents.
For Insper Students: Applications for Spring 2027 semester will be posted soon.
Leaders of the Program
Mariana Valente
Tenure track assistant professor of International Law and Economics at the University of St.Gallen, Switzerland. I am also associate director of InternetLab, a São Paulo-based think tank working on building the evidence for human rights-responsive internet policy. I am dedicated to research in AI and platform governance from a sociotechnical perspective, and IP and cultural and knowledge practices. I was part of the Brazilian Senate Legal Experts Commission, which drafted an AI regulation law.
Before moving to Switzerland, besides InternetLab, I taught and coordinated the Certification for Law and Technology at the Executive Education at Insper. Previously I worked at the Center for Technology and Society of Fundação Getúlio Vargas in Rio de Janeiro, and before that I was the legal coordinator of the Museum of Modern Art of São Paulo. As a lawyer, I worked primarily with heritage institutions and cultural projects. One of the works I am most proud of is developing a copyright policy for the Pinacoteca do Estado de São Paulo, helping the institution towards its culture and heritage preservation and dissemination goals.
I have a doctorate from the University of São Paulo and had study or research experiences at the LMU Munich, Yale University, and UC Berkeley Law School. Before studying law, I got a technical education in data processing at COTUCA-Unicamp. I have authored and co-authored a few books and many papers, which can be found on my academic profiles online.
Ivar Hartmann
Ivar Hartmann has taught and published in the field of law and technology for over 15 years. He has published 12 books, 41 journal articles and 12 book chapters. According to the AD Scientific Index 2024, he is in the top 75 most cited Brazilian legal scholars, measured by Google Scholar’s h index in the last 6 years. Hartmann has been cited by outlets such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Le Monde, Reuters, Folha de São Paulo, O Globo, Valor Econômico, Estadão and Correio Braziliense. Hartmann has appeared before the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court, as a law professor, and before the Brazilian Congress to share his research findings on free speech, online misinformation and regulation of artificial intelligence. He holds an LLB and MSc from the Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUC-RS), an LLM from Harvard Law School and a PhD from the State University of Rio de Janeiro. Hartmann is an Associate Professor at Insper in São Paulo (since 2021) and was a Professor at FGV Law School in Rio de Janeiro (2013-2020), where he led, among other initiatives, the Center for Technology and Society (CTS-FGV).
Spring 2026 Mentors
Dr. Clemens Stachl
Dr. Clemens Stachl is an Associate Professor, Director at the Institute of Behavioral Science and Technology at the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, earned his PhD in Psychology and Statistics from Ludwig-Maximilians University Munich (LMU), Germany. Before assuming his faculty position in Switzerland, he held postdoctoral positions at LMU and at Stanford University, USA. His research analyses human behaviour using digital tools and environments, exploring how digital footprints reveal psychological traits, states, and business outcomes. By integrating traditional methods with large-scale data, his work offers insights into how technology can inform human psychology and decision making at individual and societal levels.
Dr. Luise Koch
Dr. Luise Koch is a researcher at the TUM School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich. Her work sits at the intersection of digital policy, gender studies, and computational social science, with a focus on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and its implications for democratic participation and online governance. She combines mixed-methods research, including large-scale social media analysis and primary data collection, to study how digital environments shape inclusion and exclusion in political discourse. Her research has been published in journals such as Information, Communication & Society and Trauma, Violence, & Abuse, and spans collaborations across Europe, Latin America, and South Asia.
Dr. Thorsten Busch
Dr. Thorsten Busch is a Senior Lecturer at the ZHAW Center for Sustainability Leadership and a Lecturer at the University of St. Gallen. In recent years, Thorsten has been teaching game studies, business ethics, corporate responsibility and sustainability, critical thinking, tech ethics, responsible innovation, and digital marketing ethics at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), the University of St. Gallen (CH), Trinity Business School (IE), and HEC Montréal (CA). Before that, Thorsten was a Postdoctoral Fellow in game studies at Concordia University in Montréal (CA), a Visiting Assistant Professor in corporate social responsibility at the University of Konstanz (DE), and a Senior Research Fellow in data ethics at the University of St. Gallen. He holds a Ph.D. in organizational studies and cultural theory from the University of St. Gallen and an M.A. in political science, economics and management from the University of Oldenburg (DE).
Spring 2025 Mentors
Dr. Angela Müller
Executive Director AlgorithmWatch CH | Executive Board Member AlgorithmWatch
Angela is Executive Director of AlgorithmWatch CH in Zurich and Executive Board Member of AlgorithmWatch in Berlin. Before, she led the Policy Team at AlgorithmWatch for four years. She is responsible for the overall strategy of the organization and especially for its work in the fields of policy and investigations. Angela has testified as an expert before the Council of Europe, the German Bundestag and the Swiss Parliament, and was appointed as one of “100 Women in AI Ethics” worldwide in 2024. She is a member of expert working groups of the Swiss Federal Administration and – next to her role at AlgorithmWatch – of the Federal Media Commission. Angela studied political philosophy and ethics and holds a PhD in Law from the University of Zurich, where her research focused on the cross-border applicability of human rights law in the context of globalization and new technologies. She was a visiting researcher at Columbia University, New York, and Hebrew University, Jerusalem.
Prior to her current role, she held positions at different universities, for an innovation platform, a civil society think tank on foreign policy, and the Swiss Foreign Ministry.
Bruno Rodrigues
Bruno Rodrigues is an Assistant Professor of Embedded Sensing Systems at the Institute of Computer Science in Vorarlberg (ICV), University of St. Gallen (HSG). He earned his PhD in Computer Science from the University of Zürich in 2020, where he also worked as a postdoctoral researcher until 2023, focusing on passive wireless sensing technologies. His research bridges the theoretical and practical aspects of sensors, with a focus on communication protocols and their tradeoffs in terms of performance, efficiency, and security in various real-world applications.
Fall 2024 Mentors
Janna Hastings
Janna Hastings is Assistant Professor of Medical Knowledge and Decision Support at the Institute for Implementation Science in Health Care, Faculty of Medicine, University of Zurich, and Vice-Director of the School of Medicine at the University of St. Gallen. She holds a PhD in Computational Biology from the University of Cambridge (2019) and Masters in both Computer Science (2011) and Philosophy (2012). Her interdisciplinary research explores how advanced computational approaches can advance medical research and support clinical practice, with a particular focus on how new, powerful and multi-modal approaches to artificial intelligence can be applied to a wide range of clinical use cases and how such approaches can be made more effective, generalisable and interpretable.
Bruno Mascello
Bruno Mascello is Adjunct Professor of Business Law and Legal Management and Academic Director at the Executive School of Management, Technology and Law (ES-HSG) at the University of St. Gallen, where he is also responsible for the continuing education programs Executive Master Management & Law (EM ML-HSG) and Management for the Legal Profession (MLP-HSG). He also teaches at the University of St. Gallen and its Executive School and researches and publishes in the field of legal management. Finally, he also works as an attorney and consultant.
Graziela Tonin
Graziela has been in the technology market for 19 years, taking on diverse roles. After working as a project manager, she transitioned to a consultant role. She focuses on implementing agile methodologies and software engineering practices, as well as organizing teams, processes, and KPIs. Additionally, Graziela dedicates her time to teaching workshops and delivering talks at companies, events, and universities in Brazil and abroad.
She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science and has received the US IBM World Award and the Women of Value Award. Graziela is the Director of the Computer Engineering Program and a Professor in the Engineering and Computer Science Program at Insper Institution. She began her academic career by teaching specific classes in postgraduate programs within the technology field. Later, she became a professor at the Federal University, where she served for eight years. After reaching the associate level, she transitioned to Insper, where she has been for nearly three years.
Throughout her 11 years of teaching, she has consistently taught courses in agile methodologies and has been continuously testing and evolving various teaching approaches, educating thousands of students.
Graziela has also taken intentional initiatives to increase the representation of women in technology and improve the overall environment to ensure their persistence in their careers. In addition to her professional work, Graziela actively mentors and contributes to various national entrepreneurship and innovation programs, including Inovativa Brasil.
Meet the Spring 2026 fellows
Beatriz Rodrigues de Freitas
I’m originally from Juazeiro do Norte and currently a scholarship student in Computer Engineering at Insper, in São Paulo. During my undergraduate studies, I have worked with education, artificial intelligence, and bioengineering. I’ve always been interested in multiple fields, and I’ve participated in educational projects since high school, as I believe education has a great impact on society. I’m really excited to be part of DPLP and to learn from both peers and mentors. Through the program, I hope to engage in research and broaden my perspective on how to use technology ethically to benefit diverse groups in society. I’m also eager to gain experience in the academic world, which I consider a potential career path. In addition, I want to develop leadership skills so I can inspire others.
Ellen Coutinho Lião da Silva
Ellen is passionate about the intersection of technology and social impact. She is a full scholarship student in Computer Engineering at Insper who completed her earlier education in public Brazilian institutions, experiencing firsthand the challenges of the country’s educational system. She has contributed to the academic community as a teaching assistant for courses such as Web Technologies and Grand Challenges of Engineering. Through the DPLP, Ellen aims to deepen her understanding of the sociology of technology and information while immersing herself in a new innovative culture to further enhance her problem-solving and creativity skills.
Isabela Borges Monti
Isabela is a first-generation and full-scholarship undergraduate student at Insper. With a major in Economics, she has experience as a research assistant at Insper’s Center of Finance and Macroeconomics and has recently finished an internship at the Center of Economics of the Human Development at the UChicago, thanks to the Summer Institute in Social Research Methods.
Her interests lay on the intersection of data science applied to economics, spending her free time as a Project Manager at InsperData, a data analysis college club. Although her background with social projects, being benefited from NGOs such as ISMART and Colégio Embraer, she has taken her time to explore all possibilities of Economic Research, from political science to stock market, until she commits to a single knowledge area. Her main goal is become not only the first Economist of her family, but also the first PhD.
Maria Sthefanny Cavalcante da Penha
I am a full scholarship Law student at Insper, passionate about the intersection between law and technology. I am currently researching technological contracts and data protection, driven by an interest in how innovation challenges traditional legal frameworks. I enjoy exploring how insights from different fields such as technology, ethics, and policy can enrich legal thinking and practice. Through the DPLP, I hope to broaden my international perspective, connect with diverse people, and contribute while learning from others.
Meet the Autumn 2025 fellows
Théo Gauthier
Théo Gauthier is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s in Business Administration at the University of St. Gallen, with a focus on entrepreneurship, strategic management, and technology integration. In addition to his academic pursuits, he is expanding his knowledge in cybersecurity and international relations. His passion for innovation stems from his love for the ocean as a sailor and his deep interest in technology. After spending a semester in Korea, Théo is excited to embrace the challenges of the Digital Policy Leadership Program. He is looking forward to learning about this environment, and he is certain that this experience will broaden his perspective and open new horizons..
Paul Eckstein
I am a Business Administration student at the University of St. Gallen, with a passion for finance and an interest in understanding complex systems. My approach to work builds upon detailed analysis and a focus on delivering results under pressure. I find deep engagement when diving into projects and addressing complex problems. Working in teams is also a source of energy and performance for me, as I enjoy collaborating with people. Outside of my academic pursuits, I am dedicated to sports, including running, calisthenics, and surfing. I am particularly interested in the DPLP to gain a deeper understanding of digital policy and leadership, recognizing its high relevance and the opportunity it presents to create impact.
Felix Ebert
My name is Felix, I’m 22 years old, and currently enrolled in an Economics major at the University of St. Gallen. Outside of my studies, I’m actively involved in the university’s club scene — in particular, I organize and produce plays with our student theatre club.
When I’m not on campus, you’ll most likely find me doing sports — my favourites are running and swimming — or reading a good book.
My two most distinguishing characteristics are probably my spontaneity and creative sense of humour.
I chose São Paulo for my exchange semester because it gives me the opportunity to explore a new continent, experience Brazil’s vibrant culture, and, of course, work on research during my stay there!
Markus Nussbaumer
As a German-Brazilian student in my 4th semester at the University of St. Gallen, I am thrilled to be part of the Digital Policy Leadership Program. Having spent part of my early education in Brazil, I feel a strong personal connection to its culture and people. My upcoming exchange semester at Insper São Paulo offers a unique opportunity to deepen this connection and engage with Brazil’s academic, political, and economic landscape. I am especially looking forward to interacting directly with local students and making the most of the diverse opportunities the DPLP provides—both of which I believe will significantly broaden my perspective and enrich my academic and professional path. I hope to critically explore and debate the complex trade-off between fostering entrepreneurial freedom and ensuring the responsible, ethical application of emerging technologies in a dynamic policy environment.
Meet the Spring 2025 fellows
Andri Gabathuler
Andri studies Law and Economics at HSG and has been an active member of the legal team at Start Global, a St. Gallen-based global entrepreneurship initiative dedicated to fostering innovation in Switzerland and beyond. Recognizing São Paulo as the entrepreneurial and cultural hub of Latin America, he sees this as the ideal environment to expand his horizons. With the rapid evolution of digital markets and cross-border transactions, Andri is particularly interested in how legal frameworks, especially tax policies, can adapt to these changes. He is eager to explore Brazil’s approach to regulation, focusing on the intersection of digital policy and taxation, and how these measures shape innovation and economic growth. Through this program, he aims to gain a deeper understanding of these regulatory dynamics and contribute to the development of more effective and forward-thinking policies.
Ruth Gaudencio da Silva
Ruth is a full scholarship student in Law at Insper. Since the beginning of her undergraduate studies, she has been dedicated to exploring the connection between law and technology, and she is currently conducting Scientific Initiation research in the project: “Judicial Behavior and the Facebook Oversight Board.” She also incorporates the issue of racial equity into her academic activities and projects as part of the Black Group of Students Raposas Negras. Her interest in the DPLP is to gain practical experience, expand her network, and further her knowledge to contribute to the discussion and development of non-discriminatory software focused on public security.
Thiago Teixeira dos Santos
I am 21 years old from São Paulo. With a full scholarship, I am studying mechatronic engineering at INSPER. During my degree I also am specialising in bioengineering because I love the multidisciplinary setting between engineering, biology, health, and ethics. I am eager to participate on the DPLP so I can learn what it takes to be a leader capable of facing diverse challenges. Moreover, I want to conduct research aimed at impact and experience first-hand different global views at St. Gallen University.
Contact Information
University of St.Gallen:
For issues related to Application/Registration for an exchange semester, visa processes:
Student Mobility Services
Esther Stäheli
Tellstrasse 2
CH-9000 St. Gallen
Phone number: +41 71 224 31 50
esther.staeheli@unisg.ch
Academic Inquires:
Prof. Dr. Mariana Valente
Varnbüelstrasse 19
CH-9000 St. Gallen
Phone number: +41 71 224 26 13
mariana.valente@unisg.ch
Fellowship details:
Leilani Dian Mendes
Varnbüelstrasse 19
CH-9000 St. Gallen
leilani.dianmendes@student.unisg.ch
INSPER:
For academic questions and questions regarding the fellowship:
Prof. Dr. Ivar A. Hartmann
Office 710
Rua Quatá, 300 – Vila Olímpia
São Paulo, SP – Brasil
CEP: 04546-042
ivarAGMLH@insper.edu.br
For issues related to student life, university administration, credits, etc.:
Student Mobility Services
Andreia Lopes de Castro Ribeiro
Rua Quatá, 300 – Vila Olímpia
São Paulo, SP – Brasil
CEP: 04546-042
andreialcr@insper.edu.br
Testimonials
Daniela, an Insper student at HSG
Studying at St. Gallen transformed my life. Coming from a low-income background, I never thought an exchange program was possible—but Insper and the Lemann Foundation made it real. The program combined academic depth with global exposure: from visiting the UN in Geneva to presenting an AI project at Rothschild Bank. I explored digital law, engaged in research, and received mentoring that clarified my career path. I now return to Brazil determined to work at the intersection of law, technology, and public policy.
Andri, a HSG student at Insper
I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have spent a semester abroad in São Paulo — an experience that has truly broadened my horizons. Living and studying in Brazil allowed me to witness and reflect on the country’s complex socio-economic contrasts, adapt to different teaching styles, and discover an incredibly rich and diverse food culture. At the same time, I was lucky enough to explore this vast and beautiful country on the other side of the world — from vibrant cities to breathtaking natural landscapes. A heartfelt thank you to the Fundação Lemann for making this unforgettable journey!
Ruth, an Insper student at HSG
I participated in the DPLP program at the University of St. Gallen in Switzerland, where I focused on understanding the regulation and impact of digital platforms within the context of the rapidly evolving digital economy. Through the program’s interdisciplinary approach, I studied how key legislation, such as the EU’s Digital Services Act, is shaping market dynamics and user rights, while also examining broader issues like algorithmic governance and the regulation of facial recognition technologies. A highlight of the experience was engaging with United Nations representatives and other global stakeholders to explore how companies, governments, and civil society can collaborate to create fairer and more transparent digital ecosystems. Conducting research during the program further expanded my ability to work in a second language and to assess how different countries regulate digital markets and identifying practices that are both effective and adaptable. This academic and cultural exchange strengthened my ambition to help shape responsible innovation in the private sector and contribute to international strategies for inclusive and sustainable digital transformation.
Thiago, an Insper student at HSG
Participating in the exchange was an unbelievable experience. And being in the DPLP has made it even more surreal. From visiting UN’ Palace of Nations in Geneva to seeing snow from the top of the Matterhorn Mountain I have seen sights I never believed I would get to see up close. Moreover, this journey provided me with ample networking opportunities with international professors and researchers, their different ideas and insights even outside academia. Lastly, being so far away from home helped me to mature and develop, preparing me for whatever next journey I will embrace next!
Benjamin, a HSG student at Insper
Insper challenged me to think in new ways. The university’s participative and discussion-driven approach made complex topics like sustainability and globalization come alive—especially in the context of Brazil as a BRICS country. Professors were engaged, classes were thought-provoking, and the academic environment was vibrant and collaborative. Studying in São Paulo added a real-world layer to it all, and I left with a deeper understanding of how emerging countries like Brazil are shaping global conversations.
Camila, an Insper student at HSG
Joining the Digital Policy Leadership Program at St. Gallen was one of the best decisions I’ve made. As a Mechatronics Engineering student passionate about bioethics, exploring digital policy gave me new direction—especially through my research at the Digital Health Interventions Institute. Living with students from around the world, visiting the UN in Geneva, and even bungee jumping in Ticino made the experience unforgettable. I returned more independent, curious, and inspired to keep working at the intersection of technology and people’s lives.
Constantin, a HSG student at Insper
Spending a semester in Brazil was life-changing. Thanks to the Lemann Foundation, I joined the Digital Policy Program at Insper—an experience that exceeded every expectation. The courses, mentorship, and exchanges shaped not just my academic thinking, but my worldview. São Paulo became a second home. I was deeply moved by the warmth and openness of the people, and I return with lasting friendships, new perspectives, and a deep connection to Brazil.
Muito obrigado, Brasil. Até logo.