Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra

Research Fellow

Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra

  • Kurzer Lebenslauf

    • Since 02/2023: Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 01/2022-01/2023: Associate at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 01/2021-12/2021: Visiting Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 03/2019-03/2020: Associate at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 09/2018-02/2019: Visiting Fellow at the GIGA Institute for Asian Studies
    • 2017-2018: Visiting Faculty, Department of Political Science, Presidency University, India
    • 2014-2016: Visiting Faculty, Department of Political Science, Diamond Harbour Women's University, India
    • 2014-2015: Visiting Faculty, Department of Mass Communications and Journalism, NSHM Knowledge Campus, India
    • 2009-2010: Fulbright-Nehru Doctoral Fellow, Mershon Center for International Security Studies, Ohio State University, USA
    • Education: Ph.D in International Relations (Jadavpur University, India); M.A. in International Relations (Jadavpur University, India), and B.A. in Political Science (Hon.) (St. Xavier's College, University of Calcutta, India)

    Aktuelle Forschung

    • Geopolitics of Tech
    • Digital Politics
    • Digital Authoritarianism
    • Disinformation and Counter-Disinformation
    • Hybrid Threats, Information Warfare, Cyber Resilience
    • AI and Internet Governance

    Länder und Regionen

    • South and Southeast Asia
    • India
    • Bangladesh
    • Indonesia
    • Singapore

    Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra

    Research Fellow

    T. +49 40 428874-40[email protected]


    GIGA Focus Global | 2/2025

    From Global Governance to Nationalism: The Future of AI

    Nationale Prioritäten überwiegen zunehmend gegenüber Versuchen einer globalen Regulierung von Künstlicher Intelligenz. Um ihren regulatorischen Einfluss weiterhin geltend zu machen, muss die Europäische Union ihre eigenen Kapazitäten stärken und internationale Partnerschaften ausbauen.

    Policypaper | 07.2024

    Regulation or Repression?: Government Influence on Political Content Moderation in India and Thailand

    Governments and tech companies worldwide periodically clash over what content is acceptable to post online and who gets to decide. As states exert legal, economic, and political pressure on social media platforms and users to control online conversations, the platforms frequently seek to push back.

    GIGA Focus Asien | 3/2024

    India after the 2024 Elections: Trends and Implications

    Indien wählt ein neues Parlament und stellt damit die politischen Weichen für die nächsten fünf Jahre. GIGA-Wissenschaftlerinnen und Wissenschaftler analysieren den Wahlkampf und die innen- und außenpolitischen Folgen des größten Wahlgangs der Welt.

    Forschungsprojekt | 01.06.2025 - 31.12.2027

    Digital Authoritarianism through Lawfare: Mapping and Strengthening Civil Society Responses in Asia

    This project investigates the most potent weapon of digital authoritarianism - lawfare in the digital realm in South and Southeast Asia in general and Indonesia, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Thailand in particular. Building on previous research, it creates the first database in the world on the range of laws used for digital repression of civil society by autocratic/autocratising states, its impact on democracies and civil liberties, and countermeasures for democratic resistance and resilience.
    Luminate, 2025-2027

    Forschungsprojekt | 01.02.2024 - 31.12.2025

    Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL), Phase II: Digitalisierung als Chance für Kooperationen mit globalen Partnern

    Das vom Auswärtigen Amt geförderte Digital Transformation Lab (DigiTraL) des GIGA analysiert die politischen Treiber und Konsequenzen der globalen digitalen Transformation. Dabei ist insbesondere der Globale Süden ein wichtiger Akteur und Gestalter dieses Wandels.
    FFO, 2024-2025

    Forschungsprojekt | 01.02.2023 - 31.01.2025

    Mapping and Strengthening Civil Society Response to Disinformation

    Governments in autocratic and autocratizing contexts may use anti-fake news laws to discredit critical civil society actors as agents of “disinformation” and punish them. Through comparative and cross-learning insights derived from field studies, we seek to map civil society responses against the autocratic use of disinformation laws and strengthen policies for right to information and freedom of speech and expression.
    NED, 2023-2025

    Forschungsprojekt | 01.01.2023 - 31.12.2024

    Strengthening Civil Society Against the Weaponization of Anti-Fake News Laws: A Comparison of Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Thailand

    In an age of proliferating disinformation, governments in South and Southeast Asia have come out with anti-fake news laws. However, the “weaponization" of such laws can lead governments to control online platforms and censor critics. Our project examines the patterns and processes of the weaponization of such laws against civic actors and countermeasures by the latter. We aim for academic and policy outcomes to improve disinformation regulation while safeguarding digital rights.
    Luminate, 2023-2024

    The Hindu | Interview | 17.04.2025

    The Many Factors At Play in Content Moderation

    'In Focus' Interview with The Hindu on different forms of content moderation, factors that influence it, and comparing different legal frameworks across the world on regulating content moderation and how this impacts state-platform-civil society power dynamics and relations. Also available on Spotify.

    Boom Live | Kommentar / Gastbeitrag | 05.08.2024

    Mass Surveillance: Indian Railways Use Facial Recognition Tech And AI

    Mass surveillance in public transport systems, touted for safety of passengers, can violate their rights when intrusive AI-enabled Facial Recognition Technology is used. India is deploying such tech in large scale. Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra comments on the risks and suggests a countermeasure in this article.

    DW News | Interview | 22.12.2022

    DW News, School Surveillance in India Prompts Data Protection Concerns, 22/12/2022

    The interview addresses the need for institutionalisation and standardisation of best parctices of privacy safeguards as digital surveillance through the use of CCTV cameras in schools in New Delhi, India, get routinised.

    Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V. | 06.06.2025

    Expert Roundtable on Strengthening European Defense Capabilities in the Era of Trump 2.0

    Organisation: Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung e.V. Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra (Vortragende:r)

    Invited Speaker at the Panel on defending threats to democracies in Europe from hybrid threats including information and cognitive warfare and building defence and deterrence capabilities to deal with new-age threats and challenges to democracy from autocratic regimes.

    Europäischer Verband der Entwicklungsforschungs- und Ausbildungsinstitutionen | 22.05.2025

    Speaker at EADI Jubilee Event - Development in Crisis: Reflecting on the Past, Looking to the Future

    Organisation: Europäischer Verband der Entwicklungsforschungs- und Ausbildungsinstitutionen Dr. Sangeeta Mahapatra (Vortragende:r)

    Invited speaker at EADI's Jubilee Event discussing 'From worldwide democratisation to democratic recession and geopolitical conflicts:
    what do development researchers have to say?'

    Lehre | GIGA Institut für Asien-Studien | 2025

    Teaching Comparative Politics and Digital Repression at University of Hamburg

    Teaching a seminar on Comparative Politics and Digital Repression at the University of Hamburg.

    Benachrichtigungen

    Melden Sie sich hier für E-Mail-Benachrichtigungen zu GIGA-Aktivitäten an

    Soziale Medien

    Folgen Sie uns