Giga Research Lab
What is the Giga Research Lab?
The Giga Research Lab (GRL) is a joint initiative of the University of Geneva and Giga -- a global UNICEF and ITU partnership -- committed to advancing digital inclusion by accelerating school connectivity worldwide.
Anchored within the University's School of Economics and Management, the GRL brings together researchers, students, policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to co-create practical, data-driven solutions addressing digital inequality -- solutions grounded in evidence and designed to scale.
Our Approach
The GRL operates across the full research-to-impact cycle: generating rigorous insights, translating them into innovative and practical solutions, and convening stakeholders from across sectors to drive real-world implementation. In turn, progress in implementation, education, and prototyping surface new challenges and insights, creating a continuous feedback loop that informs and advances our research agenda -- ensuring our work remains dynamic and impact-driven, grounded in both scientific rigor and operational relevance.
- Research: We explore the systemic barriers and knowledge gaps around school connectivity, digital inclusion, and social innovation -- building the evidence base needed for smarter decisions and more resilient systems.
- Translation: We convert research findings into actionable policy recommendations, operational models, and strategic frameworks that support implementation and scale.
- Ecosystem Building: We convene stakeholders from across sectors to catalyze the development of context-oriented, sustainable solutions, strengthening Geneva's position as an innovation hub.
- Learning: We embed our work into university courses, training programs, and open-access resources, equipping current and future leaders to drive digital inclusion forward.
- Prototype: As a testbed for innovation, we pilot and refine cutting-edge approaches such as AI-powered tools to assess their potential for large-scale, inclusive impact.
