Matteo Nebbiai is a 2024-2025 GPEP affiliate fellow. He is a PhD researcher at the Department of Political Economy at King’s College London, funded by the UK Economic and Social Research Council.
Nebbiai mainly focuses on EU politics of digital regulation and forms of non‐state regulation. Particularly, his PhD focuses on the political economy of the European Union’s digital market design, by looking at the preferences of firms towards data sharing mandates, and the impact of private regulation in enforcing data sharing provisions.
What excites you about the GPEP fellowship?
One of my favourite features is having a desk at the Mortara Center: this allows constant interaction with the brilliant faculty and PhD researchers, in a cosy and relaxed atmosphere. It made me feel immediately integrated into what truly feels like a community.
What is your research about?
My research investigates the political drivers behind data regulation in the European Union. On one hand, I look at how new digital supply chains influence the way companies lobby governments. On the other, I am interested in how the administrative state changes and is changed by, the advent of digital technologies.
How did you become interested in your topic?
I have always been a bit of a geek. When I was a teenager, I spent a lot of time on video games and books about technology. Growing up, I realised that opinions on the impact of technology can dramatically diverge: some people see the digital revolution as a terrible threat while others consider it an unstoppable driver of progress. For this reason, I got interested in how political institutions and ideas shape the relationship between society and technology.
How did you like DC so far? And what would be some of the things you still want to try or do in DC?
I loved the Smithsonian museums, especially the American History one. It was so fascinating seeing objects used in political campaigns in the 1800s. Wondering through DC is a fun experience for a European because it’s often about guessing which “Old World” monuments were taken as models: that building looks like the Pantheon! And that’s the Parthenon! Plus, the Metro stations are just beautiful: brutalism done right!
What is your favorite way to spend your spare time?
I try to keep my “artist eye” alive – I once dreamt about becoming a comic book artist – by visiting museums and galleries. Luckily, DC offers an excellent variety of exhibitions. Even though sometimes the artistic inspiration comes during seminars! (see below) Also, I curate a blog on politics and technology.
