In the Ph.D. program in Public Policy, Victor is majoring in Information and Communication Technology (ICT) policy.

In general, Victor’s research focuses on the global (public) policy dimension of technological innovation in terms of the governance of (emerging) large-scale socio-technical systems. Institutions that govern (emerging) large-scale socio-technical systems usually aim at stimulating economic, social, and political development, thereby aiming at enhancing human welfare. Nevertheless, issues with the regulatory capacity and the regulatory legitimacy with these institutions have arisen. The problem is that rule-setting institutions and the (emerging) large-scale socio-technical systems that they aim to govern do not necessarily respect and/or map on the boundaries of sovereign nation states in the Westfalian system of International politics. Hence, the institutional design for the governance of (emerging) large-scale socio-technical systems in the global context is an intriguing area of study that focuses on and brings together politics in nation states (public policy) and politics among nation states (international relations).

More specifically, Victor’s research focuses on, but is not limited to the institutional design for the governance of large-scale/global Information and Communication Technology systems (ICTs), such as the Internet, Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), new media, and (handheld) wireless communication (devices). When feasible, Victor is interested in comparing (aspects of) the institutional design and the governance dynamics in the International context, among for instance the EU, US, and China.

Particularly, from a (public) policy perspective, Victor’s research focuses on the governance of norms and values, such as privacy, security, and social, political, and economic development, in relation to the development of (emerging) ICT systems in the International/global context.

In short, Victor’s research focuses on advancing the understanding of the institutional design and governance dynamics concerning norms and values of ICT systems in the field of public policy and international relations. Finally, as a side dish, Victor aims at relating this understanding to the broader philosophical inquiry on the role and impact of ICT systems on human life, e.g. in terms of living the good life or human enlightenment.