Jeff Bleich Centre

An expert voice on how to strengthen the core values and institutions of democratic societies in a world where technology constantly disrupts the status quo.

Centre Overview

Research

Student Opportunities

Fulbright Distinguished Chair

Student Opportunities

Fulbright Distinguished Chair

Contact us

Centre Overview

The Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies (JBC) is a research centre in the College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University.

The JBC recognises that democratic values and institutions need strengthening in order to flourish in democratic societies. It also recognises the disruptive nature of some technological advances, including the positive social impact that some of these technologies can facilitate, as well as the misuses that can undermine public trust and democratic values and processes.

The centre is named after Jeffrey Bleich, former US Ambassador to Australia appointed by President Barack Obama in 2009. Ambassador Bleich serves as Chairman of the JBC Advisory Board.

“We all know that the advent of digital technology has fundamentally changed the way we each work, live, and relate. But it has also changed our societies and how we defend ourselves.

Our nations — both separately and together — must operate in new ways to preserve our values and protect our people and allies in new battle spaces.

This is the mission of the Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies.”

Ambassador (ret) Jeffrey Bleich
Former U.S. Ambassador to Australia

Our Research Themes

The Jeff Bleich Centre was established to undertake world-leading research, to strengthen the core values and institutions of democratic societies. Most of our research projects are externally-funded through competitive grants, contracted research, and philanthropic donations.

Artificial Intelligence, Social Media and Disruptive Technologies

The rapid introduction of new and disruptive technologies raises questions about how the development, deployment and ongoing use of these technologies articulate with democratic principles, societal structures, existing laws and regulations, and national policy settings.

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Defence, Security
and Space

States leverage a range of technological options available to them to strengthen their sovereignty and national security. Many of these technological options are now developed by the private sector, giving rise to new opportunities and changing international power dynamics.

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Democracy, Participation,
and Human Rights

Technology has the potential to reshape the foundational principles of societies, including our understanding and conceptualisation of what a democracy is and the rights we have as humans.

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EquiTech:
Multiculturalism, Gender,
and Digital Justice

EquiTech examines how cultural and gender diversity influences how people interact with, and are impacted by, the democratic system in the digital age. EquiTech aims to facilitate inclusivity within the digital world, in recognition of Australia's rich multicultural fabric.

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Opportunities for Students

Our internships for undergraduate and postgraduate students train the next generation of researchers and policy-makers within areas of vital importance for our democracy.

Washington Internship Program

Vienna Internship Program

Innovations Incubator

Keen to complete an Honours?

Align your thesis with one of our research themes and score a $1,000 bursary!

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We offer a $1,000 bursary to bright and capable undergraduate students wishing to align their Honours thesis with the research themes and goals of the JBC.

To be eligible, research projects need to focus on at least 1 of the 4 Research Areas of the JBC, and would need to receive provisional approval from a JBC member who is willing to supervise the project.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will close once all available slots have been allocated.

Apply now for 2026

Want to be a Fulbright Scholar?

The JBC Mentorship Program can help your application shine!

About the Fulbright Scholarship

Thanks to the JBC-Fulbright Mentoring Scheme, we are able to pair prospective applicants with Flinders University academic staff who have previously acquired Fulbright scholarships in their research field.

These mentors can provide valuable advice on how to write a successful Fulbright application, and give insights into what assessors are looking for.

Fulbright Australia funds Australian citizens to study or conduct research in the United States.

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