Protocol Policy Lab

About

Our Impact

Focus Areas

Publications

Tech Policy Opportunities

Tech Policy Opportunities

Tech Policy Opportunities

About Us

Protocol believes in the power of young people and works to elevate their voices.

We have grown up in a world shaped by social media, our education has been reimagined by AI, and our job applications are dictated by algorithms.

We must shape our own technological future.

About Us

Protocol believes in the power of young people and works to elevate their voices.

We have grown up in a world shaped by social media, our education has been reimagined by AI, and our job applications are dictated by algorithms.

We must shape our own technological future.

Our Mission & Values

PROTOCOL’S MISSION

Our mission is to

to shape Australia’s national conversation

on technology policy through evidence-

based research, engagement and

advocacy.

Our mission is to

to shape Australia’s national conversation

on technology policy through evidence-

based research, engagement and

advocacy.

Our mission is to

to shape Australia’s national conversation on technology policy through evidence- based research, engagement and advocacy.

empower young people

PROTOCOL’S VISION

We envision an Australia where our laws,

public discourse, and industry standards and practice are transparent and ensure emerging technologies are developed and used to further the

We envision an Australia where our laws,

public discourse, and industry standards and practice are transparent and ensure emerging technologies are developed and used to further the

We envison an Australia where our laws, public discourse, and industry standards and practice are transparent and ensure emerging technologies are developed and used in

furtherance of the

public good.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Amplify young people’s

voices

Amplify young people’s voices in

Australia’s technology policy debate.

Advance technology

policy

Advance technology policy that

serves the public good.

Conduct rigorous research

Conduct rigorous, evidence-based

research.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Amplify young people’s

voices

Amplify young people’s voices in

Australia’s technology policy debate.

Advance technology

policy

Advance technology policy that

serves the public good.

Conduct rigorous research

Conduct rigorous, evidence-based

research.

OUR GUIDING PRINCIPLES

Amplify young people’s

voices

Amplify young people’s voices in

Australia’s technology policy debate.

Advance technology

policy

Advance technology policy that

serves the public good.

Conduct rigorous research

Conduct rigorous, evidence-based

research.

Our Team

Operations Team

Emma studied a Bachelor of Law and Science (major in Physics, minor in Applied Mathematics) at the University of Queensland. She is a Research Assistant at the Centre for Policy Futures, assisting in researching Australian policy governing quantum technologies with applications in decarbonisation.

Emma Cooney

Founder & Co-Director

Anna Jordan

Co-Director

Will is an undergraduate law student at UQ with a professional background in high-school debating and advocacy coaching. He believes that public awareness and societal involvement are essential to ensuring that technological advancements serve the broader public interest. At Protocol, Will focuses on the intersection of tech policy and city planning. He aims to leverage his background in advocacy to help develop a robust, enriching, and impactful research program.

Will Taplin

Secretary

Anna Yuan

Treasurer

Ethan Lee

Director of Brand & Content

Alvin is a passionate undergraduate student in the field of maths and computer science. He believes that the advancement of effective tech policy will help encourage better and safer technology for the public good. He hopes his experience in developing AI-enhanced products can be used to advocate for ongoing discussion on tech policy amongst young Australians.

Alvin Yan

Director of Technology

Taran Shah

Operations Team Member

Lila is a Bachelor of Science/Laws (Hons) student at UQ, specializing in artificial intelligence, patent law, and privacy. She is committed to promoting AI literacy and addressing the regulatory challenges of emerging technological systems. Through Protocol, she translates complex policy into accessible conversations to empower youth advocacy for a safe, accountable, and inclusive digital future.

Lila Binns

Operations Team Member

Michael Hue

Operations Team Member

Zac is an Advanced Finance and Economics student and Research Assistant at UQ, specializing in financial mathematics and statistical modeling. His work explores the systemic impacts of autonomous market agents and algorithmic pricing within market microstructure. At Protocol, Zac provides technical rigor by leveraging computational methods and statistical modeling. He ensures that financial technology policy recommendations are built upon a robust, evidence-based foundation.

Zac Kienzle

Operations Team Member

Josiah is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Arts at USYD. He believes transparency is essential to understand the effects of technological advancement on systems of environmental and social disadvantage, and is committed to creating opportunities for students to engage with, and become literate in tech policy.

Josiah May

Operations Team Member

Policy Research Fellows

Anna Jordan

Democracy and Tech Lead Fellow

Mia Conway

Democracy and Tech Fellow

Will Taplin

Democracy and Tech Fellow

Emma Cooney

Democracy and Tech Fellow

Cassidy Yarnall

Digital Harms Lead Fellow

Hamna is a second-year Bachelor of Laws/Science student that is exploring the emerging intersection of law and technology. Through my role as a Digital Harms Fellow at Protocol, I aim to encourage ethical and safe digital spaces for future generations while facilitating creativity and innovation in tech.

Hamna Mohsin

Digital Harms Fellow

Alvin Yan

AI for All Fellow

Lila Binns

AI for All Fellow

Community Members

Oliver Donnelly

Community Member

Lucas Kao

Community Member

Elyssa is a Law and Commerce student at UQ, specializing in the intersection of technology policy and ethical governance. She focuses on ensuring legal and economic systems effectively keep pace with rapidly evolving technological advancements. Through Protocol, she aims to strengthen communication between young Australians, industry leaders, and policymakers. Elyssa is dedicated to translating research into practical, real-world outcomes that bridge the gap between innovation and regulation.

Elyssa Wong

Community Member

Advisory Board

Callum is a doctoral candidate at the Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford, where he researches cybersecurity threat intelligence sharing and AI firms. Callum previously worked in AI and cybersecurity policy for the Australian government, and offers strategic advice to Protocol regarding cybersecurity, policy consultation, and academic engagement.

Callum Harvey

Doctoral Candidate at The Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

Jisoo Kim leverages a decade of public policy, national security and strategic communications expertise – shaped by roles as Policy Adviser to the Chief of Joint Operations and Digital Media Adviser to former Prime Minister Scott Morrison AC. Jisoo holds a Master’s in National Security Policy from ANU, using her deep knowledge of technological ethics to help organisations navigate risk while unlocking capability. She is a Senior Research Fellow for AI and Emerging Technologies at Perth USAsia Centre, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Jisoo Kim