Centre for Law, Technology and Society

Centre for Law, Technology and Society
Name	Centre for Law, Technology and Society
Established	2007
Director	Florian Martin-Bariteau
Parent	University of Ottawa
Location	Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Website	https://techlaw.uottawa.ca/

Centre for Law, Technology and Society is a leading interdisciplinary research hub at the University of Ottawa dedicated to the critical study of how law interacts with and regulates technological innovation and its societal implications. Founded in 2007, it brings together scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to address pressing issues at the intersection of jurisprudence, digital technology, and public policy. The centre is recognized nationally and internationally for its influential research, innovative academic programs, and active engagement in shaping discourse on technology governance.

Overview

The centre operates as a core component of the University of Ottawa Faculty of Law, one of Canada's premier legal institutions, and is strategically located in the nation's capital, Ottawa, near key regulatory bodies like Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada. Its mission encompasses examining the legal frameworks surrounding emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and biotechnology, while critically assessing their impacts on human rights, democracy, and social justice. The centre fosters a vibrant intellectual community that bridges the Common law and Civil law (legal system) traditions, reflecting the bilingual and bijuridical character of its host university and country.

Research and Initiatives

Research at the centre is organized around dynamic clusters and major projects tackling themes like data governance, algorithmic accountability, intellectual property in the digital age, and cybersecurity law. Notable initiatives have included the AI + Society Initiative and the Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic, which provide critical analysis and advocacy on issues ranging from facial recognition surveillance to net neutrality. The centre regularly convenes high-profile events such as the annual Biennial International Conference on the Right to Privacy and expert workshops that bring together figures from institutions like the Supreme Court of Canada, Parliament of Canada, and global bodies like the United Nations.

Academic Programs

The centre is integral to the University of Ottawa's educational offerings, overseeing specialized graduate programs including a Master of Laws in Law and Technology and a Graduate Diploma in Technology Law. It supports numerous Doctor of Philosophy candidates and postdoctoral fellows pursuing cutting-edge theses on topics from quantum computing ethics to platform regulation. Students benefit from experiential learning through clinics, internships with partners like the Electronic Frontier Foundation or Telefilm Canada, and courses taught by faculty who are often cited in proceedings of the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission and the European Court of Human Rights.

Key People

The centre is led by Director Florian Martin-Bariteau, an expert in cyberlaw and digital currency regulation. Its faculty includes renowned scholars such as Michael Geist, a leading voice on copyright and internet law, and Teresa Scassa, who holds the Canada Research Chair in Information Law and Policy. Distinguished fellows and affiliates have included former Privacy Commissioner of Canada Daniel Therrien and influential thinkers from organizations like the Brookings Institution and the World Economic Forum. The centre's community also encompasses a network of global alumni working in entities from Google and Microsoft to the Department of Justice (Canada).

Publications and Impact

Scholars affiliated with the centre produce a significant body of influential publications, including monographs from presses like Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press, articles in top journals such as the Harvard Law Review, and policy reports for bodies like the Law Commission of Ontario. Their research frequently informs legislative processes, such as debates on the Digital Charter Implementation Act, and judicial reasoning, with work cited in opinions from the Federal Court of Appeal. The centre also publishes blog series and hosts the *Technology Law Dispatch* podcast, disseminating analysis on current issues like the regulation of generative AI and updates to the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act.

Affiliations and Partnerships

The centre maintains robust partnerships with a wide array of academic, governmental, and civil society organizations. It collaborates closely with other research units within the University of Ottawa, such as the Centre for Health Law, Policy and Ethics and the Institute for Science, Society and Policy. Externally, it works with institutions like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the University of Oxford, as well as Canadian entities like the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research and MediaSmarts. Its partnerships extend to international bodies, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and the International Association of Privacy Professionals, facilitating global dialogue on technology law and policy.

Category:Research institutes in Canada Category:University of Ottawa Category:Technology law Category:Organizations established in 2007