Digital Public Infrastructue (DPI) and Economics of Zero Bureaucracy
Panel discussions with Mike Bracken, Rainer Kattel & Cecilia Rikap, in partnership with Public Digital & DPI, exploring people-centred digital government and the Zero Bureaucracy agenda.
Digital Public Infrastructue (DPI) and Economics of Zero Bureaucracy
11 Sep 2025, 09:30 – 12:30
A fascinating discussion on Thursday 11th September 2025 at 09:30-12:30 (BST) invitation only.
This event is open on invitation only.
About this talk:
As part of the Dominican Republic Study Tour in London, IIPP is hosting two open sessions that provide an opportunity to engage with international expertise in digital government and public-purpose innovation. These talks form a key moment in the study tour’s learning journey, connecting global leaders with the challenges and opportunities of people-centred digital transformation.
Big Tech Talk
Speaker: Mike Bracken
Time: 9:30–11:00 AM (BST)
This session will examine the influence of large technology firms on the future of public service delivery. Drawing on his experience leading the creation of the Government Digital Service (GDS), Mike Bracken will share insights into the opportunities and risks of engaging with big tech, and what this means for governments seeking to strengthen their digital sovereignty.
Zero Bureaucracy and Digital Sovereignty
Speakers: Rainer Kattel and Cecilia Rikap
Time: 11:00–12:30 AM (BST)
Professor Rainer Kattel and Dr. Cecilia Rikap from UCL’s Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP) will host a thought-provoking discussion on the future of government in the digital age. They will explore how zero bureaucracy reforms can improve governance and efficiency. We’ll also examine the critical role of digital sovereignty in ensuring governments retain control over data, infrastructure, and innovation. This session will highlight global examples of digital public infrastructure and offer insights into building agile, citizen-centred states that are resilient in the face of technological and geopolitical change.
Meet the panel:
- Mike Bracken | Visiting Professor of Practice at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP), as well as a Partner at Public Digital.
- Rainer Kattel | Deputy Director and Professor of Innovation and Public Governance at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)
- Cecilia Rikap | Associate Professor in Economics and Head of Research at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP)
Learn more about the IIPP MPA programme
Since 2011, Mike was at the Cabinet Office as Executive Director of Digital and more recently was also appointed as the Government’s first Chief Data Officer. Prior to joining the Government, Mike worked at Guardian News & Media as Digital Development Director for nearly four years; co-founded e-democracy site My Society and was a Director/Shareholder at technical services company Wavex. Mike was awarded a CBE in the 2014 New Year’s Honours list.
Deputy Director and Professor of Innovation and Public Governance
UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP)Rainer Kattel is Deputy Director and Professor of Innovation and Public Governance at the UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (IIPP). He has studied at the University of Tartu, Estonia, and the University of Marburg, Germany, in philosophy, political philosophy, classics and public administration.He led Ragnar Nurkse School of Innovation and Governance for 10 years, building it into one of the leading innovation and governance schools in the region.
Associate Professor/Lecturer in Economics or Political Economics
UCL Institute for Innovation and Public Purpose (UCL IIPP)Cecilia Rikap (PhD in economics from the Universidad de Buenos Aires) is an Associate Professor in Economics and Head of Research at IIPP- UCL. Until joining UCL, she was a permanent Senior Lecturer in International Political Economy (IPE) at City, University of London and programme director of the BSc in IPE at the same university. She is a tenure researcher of the CONICET, Argentina’s national research council, and associate researcher at COSTECH lab, Université de Technologie de Compiègne.
Further information
Ticketing
Open
Cost
Free
Open to
Invitation Only
Availability
Yes
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