This year's Institute is organized around the theme of "The City" as a coherent unit of government that operates within a larger world. It includes both academic activities and practical field visits. The faculty team comprises internationally known researchers as well as senior government officials from New York City.

"The overall goal is to help young scholars develop an appreciation for the global impact of information and communication technologies on the public sector," said Sharon Dawes, director of CTG and Institute director. "During the institute, students will compare DG research themes, methods, and results; develop a deeper mutual understanding of the multi-disciplinary and international nature of DG research; and to establish international professional relationships that will continue throughout their careers."

The nationalities of the sixteen students chosen to attend include Canada, China, Denmark, Germany, India, Italy, The Netherlands, South Korea, Togo, and the United States. They come from multiple academic disciplines and are currently studying at 14 different universities in the U.S., Europe, and India.

The institute's academic program will cover cross-cultural and interdisciplinary research strategies and digital government research frameworks.  The practical focus will emphasize city management, citizen services, urban regeneration and simulation, and migration and border security. Senior government officials will serve as guest faculty and hosts of site visits to agencies that use information and communication technology, along with innovative public management approaches, to provide services to citizens and to support the ongoing business, regulatory, and policy processes of city and state government. Site visits and discussions with these government leaders will provide the essential link to government needs that characterizes digital government research.

Faculty include: 

• Sharon Dawes, (Institute director) director, Center for Technology in Government (CTG) and associate professor of public administration and policy, University at Albany
• Valerie Gregg, (Institute co-director) assistant director for development, Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California
• Alan Borning, professor of computer science, University of Washington
• Steven Curwell, professor, Built Environment and scientific director, IntelCities Project, University of Salford, United Kingdom
• Gale Brewer, member of the New York City Council and chair of the Technology in Government Committee
• Rey Koslowski, associate professor of political science and public policy at Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy, University at Albany
• Denis Simon, provost of the Levin Institute of International Relations, State University of New York (SUNY)

The Institute is hosted by CTG and supported by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) as part of a larger four year $1 million grant from NSF to build and sustain an international digital government research community. Other major activities included in the grant are a reconnaissance study describing the current status of international digital government (DG) research and a framework for supporting the formation of several international working groups. This project is being carried out in partnership with the Digital Government Research Center (DGRC) at the Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California.

The Center for Technology in Government is an applied research center devoted to improving government and public services through policy, management, and technology innovation. The Center, located at the University at Albany, works with government to develop well-informed information strategies that foster innovation and enhances the quality and coordination of public services.