Pedro Augusto Pereira Francisco

About

Pedro Augusto Pereira Francisco is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering and Society at the University of Virginia and holds a Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. His research examines the intersections of science, technology, culture, and the epistemic dimensions of knowledge production, with a focus on the governance of digital technologies, intelligence, surveillance, defense and security, and the sociotechnical shaping of institutions and markets. He has published on topics including the circulation of military technologies, artificial intelligence, digital platforms, intellectual property, and privacy.

At UVA, Pedro is currently interested in topics that investigate how cultural narratives and imaginaries reshape the boundaries of scientific legitimacy and technological practices, with particular attention to debates on secrecy, risk, and authority.

Before joining UVA in 2023, Pedro worked as a researcher in different think tanks in Brazil, where he led projects on digital security policy, surveillance, and intellectual property. He has advised on multiple national and international initiatives related to technology governance.