Dr Martin Wählisch

• Dr jur in Public International Law, Humboldt University of Berlin 2014.
• MA in Mediation, European University Viadrina 2008.
• Visiting Fellowships at Columbia University, New York Law School, the University of Cambridge, Durham University, and the American University of Beirut (AUB), the Weizenbaum Institute for the Networked Society, and the Al Jazeera Media Institute.

Martin Waehlisch is the inaugural Associate Professor of Transformative Technology, Innovation, and Global Affairs at the University of Birmingham, with a dual appointment at both the School of Government and the School of Computer Science. 

Dr. Wählisch is a member of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence in Government (CAIG) and an affiliate of the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA).

He previously served for over a decade as a political adviser at the United Nations, including as Team Leader of the Innovation Cell in the Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs. His work has focused on peace processes globally, particularly in the Middle East. 

His current research interests include technology for peace (PeaceTech), human-machine interaction (Virtual Reality), and futures thinking (Science Fiction) for public affairs. 

An expert in the geopolitics of artificial intelligence (AI), AI governance, digital peacebuilding and diplomacy, GovTech, and digital transformation, his research explores the intersection of emerging technologies and global policy. His work focuses on how AI shapes international relations, governance frameworks, and sustainable development.

Executive Education in 'Technology for Public Affairs'

Dr. Wählisch is happy to discuss research proposals related to PeaceTech and digital diplomacy (AI, VR/XR), Science Diplomacy, GovTech and digital transformation, and futures thinking in public affairs.

PhD Supervision

• "Co-production in AI-enabled GovTech" - Akshara Baru 
• "Artificial Intelligence and Sovereign State Negotiations" - Anthony Doan

 Dissertation Supervision

1. “Frontier AI Firms as Emerging Global Actors in International Relations, 2022–2025” – Henry Rahlke

2. “AI, Power and Governance: An Analysis of Structural Constraints in Military AI across Political Economic Systems” – Alexander Lee

3. “Shaping Global AI Governance: Strategic Narratives and the Construction of Legitimacy” – Mandeep Kaur Marwaha

4. “How Does Technocolonial Power Operate in Contemporary AI Development, and What Mechanisms Sustain Extraction from the Global South?” – Virginia Hastings

5. “Disinformation as Signal: Digital Statecraft in the Age of Social Media” – Zaki Lawson

6. “Industrial Upgrading through Technology Transfer: How China and the European Union Diverge in the Electric Vehicle Sector” – Zhang Wenjun

7. “To What Extent is Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure and Regulation Emerging as a Determinant of Economic Hegemony?” – Paul Downham

8. “Spectacle Politics and the Construction of Contemporary Personality Cults” – James Taylor

9. “Unpacking Modern Populism: Understanding Contemporary Right-Wing Voting Patterns in the UK” – John Allan

Research interests 

• Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Government
• Computational Global Affairs
• Digital Diplomacy and Peacebuilding
• Virtual Reality and Metaverse
• Futures Thinking 

Current projects

• Deliberation Technologies for Dialogue
• The Xrisis Room (XR Experience Production)
• AI Integration in Foreign Ministries
• Innovation Communities in the Public Sector

• Research Fellow at the Weizenbaum Institute
• Research Associate at the Center for International Peace Operations (ZIF)
• Associate at the Center for Peace Mediation and Institute for Conflict Management, European University Viadrina
• Member of the International Studies Association (ISA)