Iria Puyosa
Iria Puyosa is a Senior Research Fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Democracy+Tech Initiative. She specializes in the complex interplay between technology and political dynamics.
For over a decade, Puyosa has investigated information operations that undermine democratic institutions and fuel political instability. Her work sheds light on strategies for manipulating information, suppressing dissent, and eroding trust in democratic processes. It uncovers the multifaceted threats of digital authoritarianism and contributes to a deeper understanding of the challenges facing democracies in the digital age. Her research has exposed how Latin American authoritarian regimes use technology to silence dissent, surveil citizens, and control the flow of information.
Currently, Puyosa is analyzing the tech policy environment in Sub-Saharan Africa. This research aims to understand the region’s unique challenges and opportunities in navigating the digital age. By providing insights into the potential impacts of technology on development and human rights, Puyosa’s work intends to contribute to developing effective and inclusive digital policies.
She is also investigating emerging trends in digital surveillance, such as digital identity, command centers, and data integration.
Puyosa is also a member of the Toda Peace Institute’s International Research Advisory Council, where she advises on information warfare, social media and political conflicts, and conflict-sensitive approaches in social media platforms. Her contributions have helped to bridge the gap between tech and peacebuilding efforts.
She actively participates in global internet and tech governance processes, providing informed advice to policymakers and shaping strategies to counter information manipulation, limiting state surveillance, and protecting personal data through encrypted communications. Through her work, Puyosa has highlighted the need for international cooperation and advocacy to protect human rights and promote digital freedom worldwide.
Puyosa holds a PhD from the University of Michigan and a master’s in communication from the Andres Bello Catholic University in Venezuela. She was previously an associate professor at the College of Social Sciences at the Central University of Venezuela and a visiting professor at the Center of Latin American Studies at Brown University. Additionally, Puyosa has chaired the Section on Venezuelan Studies in the Latin American Studies Association.
Throughout her career, Puyosa has authored numerous publications on information operations and digital authoritarianism, including “21st Century Authoritarianism in the Digital Sphere” and “Asymmetrical Information Warfare in the Venezuelan Contested Media Spaces.”