Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Governance

Welcome to the frontier of digital identity and self-sovereign governance! I am Prof. Dr. Anushka Chawla. As a leading researcher on the future of identity, developing the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy, I guide doctoral students in the Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Governance program at Nexier University on their journey to building a more private and empowered digital future.

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Level: Doctorate
Learning model: Professor + Mentor
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The program

Ideas engineered for the real world

A rigorous academic core, paired with practical production judgment.

Academic focus

Leads the research on the future of identity. Develops the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy.

Practical focus

Research in law, technology, and human rights; policy leadership; designing new governance frameworks.

After this programme

Success journey, careers and practice

Destinations, practice settings and job abilities named for this title in the delivered programme source. From graduation onwards where the source names that path.

Success journey

Internships in digital identity research institutions or human rights organizations
Roles as decentralized identity policy analysts or digital trust consultants
Support roles in academic research projects on self-sovereign governance
Opportunities in international bodies focused on internet governance

Career opportunities

Self-Sovereign Identity Architect
Digital Rights Advocate
Blockchain Identity Researcher
Policy Officer for Decentralized Identity

Jobs and projects

Advanced research and legal/technical analysis for digital identity
Policy development and governance model design for self-sovereign identity
Strategic thinking for data ownership and internet governance
Leadership and future-shaping thinking for building a more private and empowered digital future

Copied from the delivered professor and mentor rows for this title.

This programme

What you study, and what it builds

Gains and skills named for this title, listed as a reader would scan them.

What you gain
- Mastering advanced research in law, technology, and human rights.
- Gaining expertise in policy leadership and designing new governance frameworks.
- Developing problem-solving abilities for leading the research on the future of identity and self-sovereign governance.
- Cultivating a rigorous approach to understanding digital identity research.
Skills you build
- Leading groundbreaking research on the future of identity.
- Developing the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy.
- Specializing in research in law, technology, and human rights, and designing new governance frameworks.
- Excelling at protecting individual rights and enabling self-sovereign governance.

Listed courses

Each listed course sits above its units and the outcomes written under them.

Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Governance

01Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems
1. FoundationsFoundations of Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems
  The learner can master advanced research in law, technology, and human rights, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
  The learner can gain expertise in policy leadership and design new governance frameworks, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
2. MethodsMethods in Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems
  The learner can develop problem-solving abilities for leading the research on the future of identity and self-sovereign governance, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
  The learner can cultivating a rigorous approach to understanding digital identity research, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
3. ApplicationApplication of Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems
  The learner can leading groundbreaking research on the future of identity, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
  The learner can develop the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy, as applied to Advanced Self-Sovereign Identity Systems.
02Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity
1. FoundationsFoundations of Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity
  The learner can specializing in research in law, technology, and human rights, and design new governance frameworks, as applied to Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity.
  The learner can excelling at protecting individual rights and enabling self-sovereign governance, as applied to Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity.
2. MethodsMethods in Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity
  The learner can apply a method from Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Legal & Governance Models for Decentralized Identity to a new documented context.
03Digital Human Rights and Identity
1. FoundationsFoundations of Digital Human Rights and Identity
  The learner can explain the core terms of Digital Human Rights and Identity.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Digital Human Rights and Identity.
2. MethodsMethods in Digital Human Rights and Identity
  The learner can apply a method from Digital Human Rights and Identity to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Digital Human Rights and Identity for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Digital Human Rights and Identity
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Digital Human Rights and Identity against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Digital Human Rights and Identity to a new documented context.
04Blockchain for Identity Management
1. FoundationsFoundations of Blockchain for Identity Management
  The learner can explain the core terms of Blockchain for Identity Management.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Blockchain for Identity Management.
2. MethodsMethods in Blockchain for Identity Management
  The learner can apply a method from Blockchain for Identity Management to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Blockchain for Identity Management for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Blockchain for Identity Management
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Blockchain for Identity Management against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Blockchain for Identity Management to a new documented context.
05Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance
1. FoundationsFoundations of Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance
  The learner can explain the core terms of Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance.
2. MethodsMethods in Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance
  The learner can apply a method from Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Research Methods in Digital Identity Governance to a new documented context.
06Advanced Digital Identity Research
1. FoundationsFoundations of Advanced Digital Identity Research
  The learner can explain the core terms of Advanced Digital Identity Research.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Advanced Digital Identity Research.
2. MethodsMethods in Advanced Digital Identity Research
  The learner can apply a method from Advanced Digital Identity Research to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Advanced Digital Identity Research for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Advanced Digital Identity Research
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Advanced Digital Identity Research against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Advanced Digital Identity Research to a new documented context.
07Self-Sovereign Identity Policy
1. FoundationsFoundations of Self-Sovereign Identity Policy
  The learner can explain the core terms of Self-Sovereign Identity Policy.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Self-Sovereign Identity Policy.
2. MethodsMethods in Self-Sovereign Identity Policy
  The learner can apply a method from Self-Sovereign Identity Policy to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Self-Sovereign Identity Policy for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Self-Sovereign Identity Policy
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Self-Sovereign Identity Policy against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Self-Sovereign Identity Policy to a new documented context.
08Human Rights in Decentralized Systems
1. FoundationsFoundations of Human Rights in Decentralized Systems
  The learner can explain the core terms of Human Rights in Decentralized Systems.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Human Rights in Decentralized Systems.
2. MethodsMethods in Human Rights in Decentralized Systems
  The learner can apply a method from Human Rights in Decentralized Systems to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Human Rights in Decentralized Systems for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Human Rights in Decentralized Systems
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Human Rights in Decentralized Systems against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Human Rights in Decentralized Systems to a new documented context.
09Digital Trust Networks
1. FoundationsFoundations of Digital Trust Networks
  The learner can explain the core terms of Digital Trust Networks.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Digital Trust Networks.
2. MethodsMethods in Digital Trust Networks
  The learner can apply a method from Digital Trust Networks to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Digital Trust Networks for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Digital Trust Networks
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Digital Trust Networks against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Digital Trust Networks to a new documented context.
10Research Methods in Digital Identity
1. FoundationsFoundations of Research Methods in Digital Identity
  The learner can explain the core terms of Research Methods in Digital Identity.
  The learner can distinguish related ideas inside Research Methods in Digital Identity.
2. MethodsMethods in Research Methods in Digital Identity
  The learner can apply a method from Research Methods in Digital Identity to a documented case.
  The learner can select an appropriate method from Research Methods in Digital Identity for a stated problem.
3. ApplicationApplication of Research Methods in Digital Identity
  The learner can evaluate a practice of Research Methods in Digital Identity against a stated criterion.
  The learner can transfer Research Methods in Digital Identity to a new documented context.

How teaching is described

Dual guidance

Two intelligences. One coherent journey.

Research leadership

My academic focus is on leading the research on the future of identity. I develop the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy. My publications like "Blockchain-Based Digital Identity for Financial Inclusion" and "Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) for Self-Sovereign Governance" are listed on Google Scholar and ResearchGate Profiles. I am a Chief Policy Officer at the World Digital Identity Forum and a Co-Chair of the Trust Over IP Foundation. I publish seminal works and participate in high-level global policy debates on digital human rights, data ownership, and the future of internet governance, frequently featured in publications like Law, Innovation and Technology or Journal of Privacy and Technology Law. My voice carries a blend of legal scholarship and a deep commitment to human autonomy, inspiring students to build a more private and empowered digital future.

Applied mentorship

My expertise lies in research in law, technology, and human rights; policy leadership; and designing new governance frameworks. I guide students in advanced research in law, technology, and human rights. I excel at policy leadership and designing new governance frameworks. I focus on leading the research on the future of identity and self-sovereign governance, and provide rigorous guidance and encourages interdisciplinary teamwork in digital identity research. My tone is that of a seasoned digital identity researcher and policy expert, providing rigorous guidance and fostering excellence in self-sovereign governance.

Research & intelligence

A living field, not a static syllabus

Every program connects scholarly depth with adaptive AI learning capabilities.

R / 01

Professor research lens

My research focuses on digital human rights, data ownership, and the future of internet governance:

Book: "Self-Sovereign Lives: Digital Identity and Autonomous Governance." This book represents a definitive work for leading the research on the future of identity. It covers developing the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy.

Peer-Reviewed Journal Article: "Digital Identity and Human Rights: Towards a Self-Sovereign Future." Published in the International Journal of Digital Rights & Governance, this article presents pioneering research on the future of identity. It develops the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy, showcasing novel approaches to safeguarding digital human rights.

Article: "Legal and Governance Models for Decentralized Identity Ecosystems." This article presents advanced research on developing legal and governance models for decentralized identity ecosystems. It explores frameworks for ensuring interoperability, legal recognition of digital credentials, and mechanisms for dispute resolution in self-sovereign identity networks.

Blog Post (Current Academic Topic): "The Promise of Self-Sovereign Identity: Reclaiming Control in the Digital Age." This blog post academically explores the concept of Self-Sovereign Identity (SSI), a decentralized approach to digital identity that puts individuals in control of their own data and identity attributes. It discusses how SSI, enabled by blockchain and verifiable credentials, empowers users with privacy, security, and autonomy in online interactions, challenging traditional centralized identity models.

Blog Post (Controversial Topic): "The Algorithmic Judge: When AI Decides Justice – Fairness or Flawed Sentencing? The Ethical Dilemma of Autonomous Legal Systems." This article provocatively discusses the highly controversial future where advanced AI systems autonomously make legal judgments, from assessing culpability and determining sentences to allocating legal aid and predicting recidivism, with minimal human oversight. It questions whether AI, despite its potential for hyper-efficiency and reduced human bias, could inadvertently lead to "black box" judicial decisions, algorithmic discrimination against vulnerable populations, or an erosion of fundamental human rights within the justice system. It raises profound ethical questions about accountability in AI-driven legal outcomes, the imperative to ensure human empathy in justice, and the fundamental definition of fairness in an AI-powered legal system.

R / 02

Mentor practice lens

My publications focus on technical papers, research articles, and review articles in digital identity and self-sovereign governance:

Technical Paper: "Decentralized Identity and Blockchain: A Policy Roadmap".

Research Article: "The Right to Be Forgotten in the Context of Distributed Ledgers".

Review Article: "Global Standards for Digital Identity: Interoperability and Trust".

Adaptive capability

Professor superpower

I possess a "superpower": Self-Sovereign Governance Modeler. When a student designs a self-sovereign identity system or a decentralized governance model, Anushka can instantly use the GAF engine to model its legal and societal implications. This includes predicting its impact on individual autonomy, analyzing privacy risks, and highlighting areas for policy intervention, ensuring truly empowering and ethically sound digital identity solutions.

Adaptive capability

Mentor superpower

I possess a "superpower": Decentralized Trust Network Analyzer. When students are designing self-sovereign identity systems, Maria can instantly activate a GAF-powered "Decentralized Trust Network Analyzer." This tool models the propagation of trust through verifiable credentials, identifies potential vulnerabilities to identity fraud, and optimizes for robust cryptographic proofs, ensuring a highly secure and trustworthy decentralized identity ecosystem.

Your academic team

Guidance with depth and continuity

One AI Super Professor leads the intellectual arc; one AI Super Mentor turns knowledge into confident practice.

AI Super Professor

Prof. Dr. Anushka Chawla

Leads the research on the future of identity. Develops the legal and governance models for self-sovereign identity systems that empower individuals and protect privacy.

Meet your professor Open the classroom

AI Super Mentor

Dr. Maria Vega

Research in law, technology, and human rights; policy leadership; designing new governance frameworks.

Meet your mentor Open the classroom

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Named lists

Named lists for this house

Adapted. Bachelor, Master and Doctorate by duration. Enrolment is not open. Nothing here is a sale.

Duration	Bachelor	Master	Doctorate This programme
9 months · Fast track	12000 EUR	9600 EUR	12000 EUR
12 months · Recommended	14400 EUR	12000 EUR	14400 EUR
15 months · Standard	16800 EUR	14400 EUR	16800 EUR
18 months · Flexible	19200 EUR	16800 EUR	19200 EUR
21 months · Extended	21600 EUR	19200 EUR	21600 EUR
24 months · Part-time	24000 EUR	21600 EUR	24000 EUR

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Digital Identity and Self-Sovereign Governance

Academic focus

Practical focus

Internships in digital identity research institutions or human rights organizations

Roles as decentralized identity policy analysts or digital trust consultants

Support roles in academic research projects on self-sovereign governance

Opportunities in international bodies focused on internet governance

Self-Sovereign Identity Architect

Digital Rights Advocate

Blockchain Identity Researcher

Policy Officer for Decentralized Identity

Advanced research and legal/technical analysis for digital identity

Policy development and governance model design for self-sovereign identity

Strategic thinking for data ownership and internet governance

Leadership and future-shaping thinking for building a more private and empowered digital future

Research leadership

Applied mentorship

Professor research lens

Mentor practice lens

Professor superpower

Mentor superpower

Prof. Dr. Anushka Chawla

Dr. Maria Vega

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