
Global network for internet research
The Global Network of Internet and Society Research Centers (NoC) is an initiative started in 2012, which aims to increase cooperation between participating centres in order to facilitate knowledge exchange, realise synergies and collectively confront transnational issues on a global level. In the process, they grapple with a variety of topics of both domestic and global importance: policy, regulation and governance, human behaviour and social impact, new markets and business models, intellectual property, privacy and security, and many other issues. The Network initiates and facilitates joint research activities and events and thereby has added a global perspective on the current debates on internet and society.
In August 2020, the NoC launched its international research project "Ethics of Digitalisation - From Principles to Practices". The two-year project aims to develop groundbreaking and actionable answers to challenges in the area of conflict between ethics and digitalisation. Apart from HIIG, the main project partners of the joint initiative are the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard University, the Digital Asia Hub, and the Leibniz Institute for Media Research I Hans-Bredow-Institute. The research project is funded by Stiftung Mercator; German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier is its patron.
European Hub for Internet and Society
The European perspective on global issues
In October 2017, representatives from 15 European research institutes of the NoC launched the European Hub. The aim is to coordinate European cooperation on Internet and society research and to harness synergies between research projects in order to strengthen European Internet research at an international level. The Hub's work focuses on independent and interdisciplinary research on the opportunities and challenges of digital technology, innovation and European society. The European network currently comprises 58 institutions from all over Europe.
“European research traditions and theories will be able to make an even bigger contribution to our understanding of the digital society. We at HIIG are pleased to support this process.”
Wolfgang Schulz, director of HIIG
Current events of the network
To browse current and future events of the Network of Centers, click here.
Past events of the network
Artificial Intelligence and Inclusion Symposium

Algorithmic Decision Making and its Human Rights Implications
NoC Working Meeting @AoIR 2016
Internet & Society: Emerging topics and research communities

Multi-Stakeholder Internet Governance Models, Mechanisms and Issues
International Seminar on Internet Governance – Preparatory to NETmundial
NoC Regional Conference Germany 2013

Chances and Risks of Social Participation
NoC Regional Con Turkey: ICT, Law, and Innovation
HIIG at a Glance
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Inaugural Steering Committee Members (NoC)
Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet & Society
Berkman Center for Internet & Society
Centre for Internet and Society Bangalore
NEXA Center for Internet & Society at Politecnico di Torino
Center for Technology & Society at the Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) Law School
More Information
Press Release: NoC Initiation – Towards a Global Network of Internet and Society Centers
Press Release: Launch of the European Hub for Internet and Society Research