Metagov is a community laboratory dedicated to enhancing self-governance on the internet, with a clear focus on describing, supporting, and expanding these concepts in the digital realm. Since its inception in 2019, stemming from the course "Governing Virtual Worlds" and the collaborative work on the "Modular Politics" paper, Metagov has evolved significantly. It now encompasses a thriving online community of nearly 900 members, led by 13 Research Directors with diverse expertise spanning computer science, law, economics, sociology, and engineering.
Our work at Metagov is multifaceted. We engage in producing peer-reviewed research and developing technical standards for emerging technologies. A significant part of our mission involves convening networks of researchers and practitioners and creating infrastructure and software products that aid in streamlining governance processes. Central to our vision is the concept of a governance layer for the internet, with a specific emphasis on modular governance. This approach sees governance as adaptable units, customizable to the unique requirements of different online communities.
Among our notable projects are Govbase, a comprehensive collection of research data sets related to online governance, and the Metagov Gateway, an API gateway for digital governance services. We also developed PolicyKit, a tool for creating and automatically executing governance policies. Additionally, we contribute to DAOstar, the standards body for DAOs, and Public AI, which focuses on establishing a new political economy for AI.
Beyond our research endeavors, Metagov is actively involved in building research networks and uniting communities. Our efforts include hosting over 100 public seminars, organizing conferences in both academic and industry spheres, and engaging in hackathons and tech residencies. This blend of research and community engagement positions Metagov as a leader in the exploration and implementation of online self-governance.
Learn more and discuss MetaGov on discuss.octant.app.