Foundations for the Digital Commons

This two-day event unites leaders, builders, lawyers, and technologists to advance the future of tech, policy and digital infrastructure to benefit the common good. Together, we’ll tackle emerging challenges and bold opportunities in collective data governance, digital deliberation, democratic innovation, and the rapidly evolving landscape of AI, antitrust, and intellectual property.

Hosted by the Roux Institute in partnership with RadicalxChange, and Bernstein Shur, the event will feature:

• Fast-paced lightning talks, breakout sessions, and collaborative deliberations

• Workshops to align on legal frameworks and policy solutions

• A civic tech hackathon focused on digital deliberation tools and interoperability

• Curated networking mixers and engaging programming—all set in beautiful Portland, Maine

Featured Workshops:

• Information Innovations; Public <> Legislators

• Citizens’ Assemblies 101: Designing Democratic Infrastructure for the AI Age

• Digital Deliberation at Scale: Demonstrations

• Data Intermediaries for the Public Good: Protecting Privacy, Empowering Publishers

• Cooperatives in the Data Economy: Decentralizing Data, Democratizing Value

• Accelerating Digital Civic Infrastructure in US

Speakers include:

• Jeb Bell, Project Liberty Institute

• Liz Barry, Metagov

• Beth Noveck, The Burnes Center for Social Change

• Elicia Wilson, Gitlab Foundation

• Nathan Sanders, Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society

• Jake Hirsch-Allen, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

• Stuart Lynn, CrownShy

• Lacey Strahm, OpenMined

• Courtney Radsch, Open Markets Institute

• Jerren Chang, Partners in Democracy

• Matt Prewitt, RadicalxChange

• Dave Lesher, CalMatters

• Axel Dauchez, MAKE.org

Agenda (to be confirmed)

Thursday, October 30 – Framing & Foundations

8:30–9:00am | Check-in & Coffee

9:00–9:10am | Welcome from Roux Institute 

9:10–9:20am | New England's Opportunity to Lead

9:30-10:15am | Information Innovations; Public <> Legislators

10:20-11:00am | Citizens’ Assemblies 101: Designing Democratic Infrastructure for the AI Age

11:15am- 12:00pm | Digital Deliberation at Scale: Demonstrations

12:00 - 1:00pm | Lunch

1:00- 1:45pm | Data Intermediaries for the Public Good: Protecting Privacy, Empowering Publishers

2:00 - 2:45pm | Cooperatives in the Data Economy: Decentralizing Data, Democratizing Value

3:00-4:00pm | Accelerating Digital Civic Infrastructure in US 

4:00-5:00| Networking Reception

5:00-7:00pm | Evening Reception (Hosted by The Center for Law + Innovation at Maine Law)

Friday, October 31 – Innovation Sprint

8:30-9:00am | Breakfast & Networking

9:00am-10:30am | Inspiration & Problem Framing 

10:30 - 10:45am | Team Formation & Planning

10:45 - 11:45am | Research & Discovery Sprint

11:45 - 12:30pm | Working Lunch

12:30-1:30pm | Mentor Meetings

1:30pm- 2:30 | Pitches & Group Feedback

2:30pm | Closing Circle

Travel & Accommodations

Hotels
We’ve secured discounted rates at the following hotels within walking distance to the venue:

• AC Hotel Portland Downtown/Waterfront

• Residence Inn Portland Downtown/Waterfront

Flying into Portland

• The nearest airport is Portland International Jetport (PWM), located just 15 minutes from downtown.

• From the airport, you can take a bus, taxi, or use Uber/Lyft to get to the Roux Institute.

Flying into Boston

• If you’re flying into Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), you have a few easy options to get to Portland:

  • Concord Coach Lines offers direct bus service from Logan Airport to downtown Portland.

    • Buses run multiple times daily, with pickup right at each terminal.

    • The trip takes about 2 hours and drops you off at Thompson’s Point in Portland.

    • From there, it’s a 10–15 minute ride to the Roux Institute by taxi, Uber/Lyft, or local bus.

  • Alternatively, you can rent a car and drive (approx. 2 hours north via I‑95).

  Tip: Book Concord Coach in advance at concordcoachlines.com for best availability.