
Afonso Ferreira
In a career spanning more than 30 years, Afonso Ferreira has held European leadership roles in institutional policy and research. As an expert in the areas of Data Control, Futures, and Policy Making, he spent six years seconded to the European Commission working as a policy and programme officer. He holds a PhD in Computer Science, is Directeur de Recherche with the French CNRS, and is currently the Programme Manager for European Affairs in Digital Matters at the CNRS, France.
Afonso has a deep understanding of the European landscape in cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, research, and innovation, thanks to 15 years working in Brussels and in European-related functions. His vision and his talks are greatly appreciated for their clarity, having been invited around the world to explain European policy to audiences in Brussels, Madeira Island, Rome, São Paulo, Singapore, Tokyo, Tenerife, and Toulouse, among others.
Thanks to his large knowledge of the Digital Revolution and its widespread impacts, Afonso is advising private and public actors, which include the European Parliament and the European Commission, how to navigate the nexus of technology, futures, and policy. In addition to his Institutional experience, he published more than 100 papers and several books at the forefront of Computer Sciences research. He has been member of more than 70 Technical Committees for international organisations and events.
Sessions in which Afonso Ferreira participates
Monday 12 May, 2025
In a time of rising cyber threats and rapid technological evolution, Europe is doubling down on its commitment to cybersecurity research and innovation. EU-CHECK (European Community Hub of Expertise in Cybersecurity Knowledge), sponsored by CNRS, is an initiative designed to strengthen Europe’s cybersecurity expertise and foster cross-border collaboration. This session dives into the role of EU-CHECK in shaping a s...
In this insightful session, experts and professionals in the field will delve into the realm of post-quantum cryptography, exploring how we can strengthen data protection strategies and secure digital infrastructure against emerging threats. The panel will share thoughts on the potential risks and how new approaches are being developed. Key questions