Registration at IL3, University of Barcelona, here.

Strategic mindset in the current digital-era context

The course in Technopolitics and Rights in the Digital Age trains versatile and proactive agents in the new models of strategic action fostered by the information age. The course teaches how to navigate the current framework and how to think about and implement new forms of organization and action, as well as how to lead transformative sectors that are themselves undergoing transformation.

With a strongly practical approach, the programme makes it possible to understand the future of rights and freedoms in today’s era, the dynamics of networked operation, and the challenges of the age we live in. It identifies the multiple opportunities offered by the digital context to design and manage organizational transformation in public policies and other areas of impact; it provides training in new forms of communication and participation, in methodologies for the strategic design of action plans, and it explores in depth the potential of the digital environment to enhance skills and competencies across all fields.

Simona Levi, founder of the platform for democratic innovation in the digital era Xnet; David Bondia, Ombudsman of Barcelona, Doctor of Law and former president of the Institute of Human Rights of Catalonia; and Cristina Ribas, former Director of Digital Communication of the Barcelona City Council and Professor of Communication at UPF, all recognised figures for their social commitment, direct this course.

THREE REASONS TO CHOOSE IT

• Practical: It helps us understand the changing dynamics of the digital era through hands-on experience and applicability to real situations.
• The faculty: We can meet and learn directly from leading thinkers and practitioners in digital-era action and strategy.
• Capacity for action: It presents tools and forms of strategic thinking that enable us to act in changing and unforeseen circumstances, building confidence in our own ability to adapt and take action.

The course is aimed at sociologists, political scientists, anthropologists or contemporary historians, journalists, lawyers, political and technical professionals, artists, professionals, entrepreneurs, IT specialists, economists, activists, researchers and academics, as well as third-sector managers and companies or organizations undergoing transformation. Applicants without a university degree are also accepted.

1. A networked world

• Democratic digitalization and the practical philosophy of the network
• Technology
• Emotional architecture of the networked society; bio-inspired systems – a natural history of sharing
• Digital geopolitics
• Social networks and psychological mechanisms
• Technopolitical networks
• History of the enclosure of life
• How the Internet works: Internet architecture and Net Neutrality
• Open Innovation
• Data
• Data visualization for impact
• What we mean when we talk about data, artificial intelligence, and algorithmic governance

2. Rights and freedoms: framework for action in the digital age

• What we mean when we talk about rights and freedoms
• History and evolution of human rights
• Freedom of expression vs. the right to honour
• SLAPPs
• Digital legal framework
• Bibliographic overview of free culture
• Digital footprint and chat control
• DSA and other European frameworks
• Transparency legislation

3. Action, technopolitics, and governance

• Strategies and practices of organization and action
• Action within the European legal framework
• Transparency in action
• History of hacking
• Civic use of data
• Scraping and prompts
• Business deontology and ethics in the digital age
• History of creative direct action
• Communication and verification
• Fake news and disinformation
• History of propaganda and information manipulation
• The online culture war
• Network governance
• DAOs, blockchain, and sci-fi governance
• New institutional frameworks

4. Assignments

Before the start of the course, a short assignment (5 pages) will be set for practical work. Participants may choose from group projects previously proposed by the course directors. Individual projects and externally initiated projects that participants wish to improve are also accepted, provided that their topic and format are deemed appropriate by the course directors. All projects will be supervised by a mentor.

Academic Direction

Ms. Simona Levi

In 2017, Rolling Stone magazine selected Simona Levi as one of the 25 people in the world shaping the future. A theatre director, playwright, technopolitical strategist and educator, in recent years she has focused on the strategic use of digital tools for organization, communication, collective action, the fight against state corruption, and the renewal of democracy. She is the initiator of projects such as Xnet, the Institute for Democratic Digitalization (2008), and 15MPARATO (2012–2020), which promoted the trial against the Bankia leadership—the fifth-largest bank in Spain—leading to the conviction of 65 executives and members of various political parties, including the former Minister of Economy and former Director of the International Monetary Fund.

In 2021, she published the report “Proposal for a Sovereign and Democratic Digitalization of Europe” for the Publications Office of the European Union, at the request of the President of the European Parliament.

She is the promoter and author of several books, including Digitalització democràtica (Rayo Verde, 2024); “#FakeYou — Fake news and disinformation – Governments, political parties, mass media, corporations, great fortunes: monopolies of information manipulation and curtailments of freedom of expression” (Rayo Verde, 2019); “Votar y cobrar. Impunity as a form of government” —with Sergio Salgado—, recounting how her group initiated the campaign that exposed the Bankia case, the leak of Blesa’s emails and the Black Cards scandal (Capitán Swing, 2017); “Technopolitics, the Internet and r-evolutions” —on the centrality of digital networks in the #15M movement—, and she coordinated “Digital Free Culture – Basic notions to defend what belongs to everyone”, the latter two published in 2012 by Icaria. She is and has been a media commentator and advisor to countless civic organizations and institutions such as the Spanish Government’s Secretariat of State for Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence, the Directorate for Digital Society and the Directorate-General for Digital Administration of the Government of Catalonia (in both institutions she was a member of the advisory group for drafting the Charter of Digital Rights), or Bithabitat – Urban Innovation Platform of the Barcelona City Council.

Dr. David Bondia

Ombudsman of the city of Barcelona. Doctor of Law and Associate Professor of Public International Law and International Relations at the University of Barcelona. From 2015 until his election as Ombudsman, he was President of the Institute of Human Rights of Catalonia (IDHC).

Ms. Cristina Ribas

Journalist specialized in science, she began her professional career in traditional media after graduating in Biology and Journalism. She has been President of the Catalan Association of Science Communication, from where she promoted R&D projects on new models for service journalism. In recent years she has worked in strategic communication and digital projects for public administration, particularly as Director of Digital Communication at Barcelona City Council. She is currently Director of Communication at the Institut d’Estudis Catalans. She is an Associate Professor of Journalism at Pompeu Fabra University and an activist with the Recuperem Baix Maresme platform.

Faculty

AiForensics
An organization that applies innovative methods to uncover violations of digital rights and provide information to help shape and enforce responsible regulatory policies. It works to ensure that algorithms are accountable, adjustable, and avoidable.

Esteve Almirall
Esteve Almirall is a Full Professor and Director of the Center for Innovation in Cities. He has taught at various universities, including ESADE, UC Berkeley, Purdue, UPF, UPC, and EPFL. He has a mixed background in AI and Management Sciences, especially in Innovation. He was one of the founders of the European Living Labs Networks with more than 400 Living Labs worldwide and has coordinated several high-impact European projects such as Open Cities and Commons for Europe.

Victoria Anderica
An expert in transparency, she has been Director of the Transparency Project of the Madrid City Council, promoted from the Area of Citizen Participation, Transparency and Open Government.

Ms. Valery Alzaga
Coordinator of Change to Win, specialist in biosyndicalism campaigns for new emerging sectors.

Irene Ball
Graduate in Physics and specialized in Data Science. Coming from the climate justice movement, she is currently responsible for communication and data analysis in various projects. She is a member of Xnet.

Kate Beecroft
Advisor and collaborator on leading projects in complex systems. Specialist in crowdfunding, governance, and collaboration. World-building and grounded futurism.

Dr. Floren Cabello
Professor of Audiovisual Communication Technology at the Faculty of Communication Sciences, University of Málaga. PhD in Communication Sciences from the University of Málaga.

Civio
The Civio Citizen Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization that monitors public authorities, informs all citizens, and pressures institutions to achieve real and effective transparency.

Ms. Gabriella Coleman
Professor at Harvard University. Trained in Anthropology, she is a specialist in the free software movement and the Anonymous group.

Mr. Javier Creus
Specialist in collaborative economy, open and P2P business models, citizen innovation, and network society. Founder of the think tank Ideas for Change.

Domestic Data Streamers
Domestic Data Streamers was founded on the idea that the world cannot be understood without numbers, but also cannot be understood only through numbers, and that any meaningful exchange of information between people must convey emotions and experiences to create knowledge or change. They have had the opportunity to take this idea around the world, from corporate headquarters to prisons, and even to the United Nations General Assembly.

Ms. Gemma Galdón
Researcher and public policy analyst specializing in surveillance, the social, legal and ethical impact of technology, smart cities, privacy, and security policies.

Daniel Granados
Musician, producer, and cultural researcher, currently Delegate for Cultural Rights at the Barcelona Provincial Council. He collaborates regularly with various national and international institutions, produces the programme Cultura Paralela on Spanish National Radio (RNE), and teaches on several academic master’s programmes at the University of Barcelona, Carlos III University of Madrid, and Blanquerna University on public policy, music, and cultural rights.

Jaime Gómez-Obregón
Spanish engineer known for his activism in favour of political transparency in public-sector procurement.

Manuel González Bedia
Manuel González Bedia holds a degree in Physical Sciences, a Master’s in Social Studies of Science and Technology, and a PhD in Computer Engineering from the University of Salamanca, where he received the Extraordinary Doctoral Award. He is currently Associate Professor of Computer Engineering at the University of Zaragoza, attached to the School of Engineering and Architecture and a member of the Aragón Institute of Engineering Research. Since 2025 he has held the position of Vice-Rector for Innovation, Knowledge Transfer, and Lifelong Learning at the same university. His research career includes participation in international and national research networks in cognitive sciences and artificial intelligence. He has held senior positions in the Spanish General State Administration, including directorates related to digitalization and artificial intelligence.

Maadix
An online tool that enables the deployment of free/open-source applications on one’s own server, allowing for digital autonomy, communication privacy, and data security.

Dr. Jorge Malem Seña
Full Professor of Law at UPF. His work relates to political structures in Latin America, legal theory and sociology, censorship and freedom of expression, civil disobedience, the imposition of morality, the relationship between morality and law, contemporary societies, and social sciences. PhD in Law from the Autonomous University of Barcelona.

César Manso / DFF
Digital Freedom Fund (DFF) exists to support the digital rights community in Europe through strategic litigation aimed at protecting human rights in digital spaces.
César Manso is the Legal Officer of Digital Freedom Fund. He holds a law degree from the University of Costa Rica.

Micaela Mantegna
Known as “abogamer,” Micaela Mantegna is a video game lawyer specializing in policy, trends, and regulation of the industry. Affiliated with the Berkman Klein Center at Harvard, she conducts research on AI, video game policy, ethics, and immersive technologies for extended reality (XR). She created the first course on Artificial Intelligence and Law in Argentina at the Center for Technology and Society of the University of San Andrés, and she also serves as a public policy advisor to the Argentine Video Game Developers Association (ADVA).

Mr. Guillem Martínez
Writer and journalist for media outlets such as El País and The Guardian; he currently publishes in CTXT. He holds a degree in Hispanic Philology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. He has written several books and coordinated the volume “CT” (“Culture of the Transition”).

Mr. Rafael Martínez Portillo
Lawyer and economist specialized in telecommunications, the internet, and audiovisual media. Since 2006 he has worked in the Subdirectorate for Electronic Communications Market Analysis at the CNMC. He participates as an expert in several BEREC working groups. Since 2010 he has collaborated as a lecturer in Internet law and telecommunications economics in various postgraduate courses.

Dr. Rubén Martínez Moreno
Director of the Urbanism and Ecological Transition Area at IDRA (Institute for Urban Research of Barcelona). He currently researches the relationships between property regimes, environmentalism, and public planning. PhD in Public Policy and Social Transformation (UAB).

Felix Mikolasch / noyb
Felix Mikolasch is a lawyer specializing in data protection. He is a member of the team at noyb (“none of your business”), a non-profit organization co-founded in 2017 in Vienna by Austrian lawyer Max Schrems, responsible for strategic litigation that, among other outcomes, invalidated the Privacy Shield on transfers of personal data to the United States. The organization’s aim is to promote strategic litigation to strengthen the protection of personal data, particularly in the private sector.

Jordi Morales i Gras
Professor at Cámarabilbao University Business School, UPV/EHU, UOC, and COLPIS. Researcher at UPV/EHU. Partner at Eudan and Network Outsight, companies specialized in sociological analysis using Data Science and Artificial Intelligence techniques.

Observatory of Ethics in Artificial Intelligence of Catalonia (OEIAC) / Alexandra Lillo
The Observatory of Ethics in Artificial Intelligence of Catalonia (OEIAC) is an initiative promoted by the University of Girona as part of the Catalonia.AI strategy of the Government of Catalonia. Its mission is to study the ethical, social, and legal implications of the use of artificial intelligence systems, as well as to identify their risks and opportunities. To this end, it has developed the PIO Model (Principles, Indicators, and Observables), a public and free tool that helps comply with the European AI Regulation (AI Act), assesses system risks, and offers resources such as indicators, catalogues, examples, and recommended ethical clauses for contracting AI solutions. Its goal is to foster a responsible, fair, and transparent use of these technologies.
Alexandra Lillo Campoy holds a degree in Law from UAB and a Master’s in Diplomacy and International Organizations from CEI International Affairs (UB). She is a legal specialist in artificial intelligence and human security.

Mr. John Postill
Senior Research Professor at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia, and Professor of Digital Anthropology at University College London (UCL). Some of his publications include Localizing Internet (2011), Media and Nation Building (2006), the volume Theorising Media and Practice (co-edited with B. Bräuchler, 2010); The Rise of Nerd Politics: Digital Activism and Political Change (Anthropology, Culture and Society, 2022), and The Anthropology of Digital Practices, Dispatches from the Online Culture Wars (2024).

Mr. Genís Roca
Specialist in business transformation processes, business development, and digital culture. He is an archaeologist. In 2013 and 2014 he was selected as one of the 25 most influential Spaniards on the Internet by the newspaper El Mundo.

Ms. Andrea G. Rodríguez
Director of ImpaQT UA, a Dutch consortium of small companies dedicated to research and development of quantum technologies. Associate researcher at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels and associate specialist to Finland’s innovation fund.

Mr. Jaron Rowan
Coordinator of the Art Area at BAU, University Centre of Design in Barcelona, where he teaches the course “Economy, Business, and Design.” He holds a PhD and a Master’s in Cultural Studies from Goldsmiths, University of London.

Mr. Hugo Sáez
Communication strategist and digital consultant, he holds a degree in Advertising and Public Relations from the University of the Basque Country. A specialist in Behavioral Science, he applies the latest advances in psychology to advertising and marketing to better understand consumer behaviour.

Dr. Joan Subirats
Joan Subirats Humet is a Full Professor and Spanish politician who served as Spain’s Minister of Universities from 2021 to 2023. He specializes in governance, public management, and public policy analysis. He has also worked on issues of social exclusion, democratic innovation, and civil society.

Who can enrol:
Anyone may enrol.

Format:
On-site and online – NOTE: participants attending via videoconference are responsible for ensuring a good internet connection and adequate equipment quality.

Start of on-site/hybrid classes:
15 October 2025

End of on-site/hybrid classes:
19 December 2025

End of the course (off-site):
29 January 2026

Schedule:
Wednesday–Thursday–Friday, from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

Programme type:
University advanced postgraduate course

ECTS credits:
15

Tuition fee:
€1,870 (fees included)

Language of instruction:
Spanish

More information

If you would like to receive information when enrolment opens, please email us at: contact@xnet-x.net

Previous programme – 2022 edition – 2020 edition – 2018 edition