Laura Mahrenbach is an expert in the politics of digital technologies and global economic governance, currently working as a Senior Researcher on the Uni Bonn-Vodafone collaboration to update the Digital Dependence Index. Her research explores how global power shifts interact with artificial intelligence and big data as well as how to use these technologies to address societal and governance challenges.

Over the past twenty years, Laura has developed a truly global perspective, researching, teaching and engaging in policy discussions in 16 countries on 5 continents. She thrives in cross-functional environments, using her programming and data analytics training and social science expertise to communicate across industries and organizations.

Laura holds the Venia Legendi in Political Science from the Technical University of Munich, a PhD (summa cum laude) from the Ruhr-University Bochum, an MA from Florida State University and a BA from Louisiana State University. 

In addition to her work in Bonn, Laura works as an Adjunct Professor at the School of Social Sciences and Technology at the Technical University of Munich and a research consultant and senior advisor at Cascade Advisory, DC-based advisory firm specializing in critical minerals, natural resources and emerging technologies. She is also a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute.