CTG UAlbany’s Director Theresa A. Pardo and Research Director J. Ramon Gil-Garcia are on Apolitical’s list of the World’s 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government released today, Aug. 8.

The London-based Apolitical is a global platform used in more than 120 countries to connect governments with original and curated content about what’s working in policymaking around the world including digital government and government innovation.

CTG UAlbany is a research institute at the University at Albany dedicated to transforming public service through cutting-edge research and innovations in technology, policy and management.

Beyond their work with CTG UAlbany both Pardo and Gil-Garcia are faculty members in the Public Administration and Policy department at the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University at Albany.

“It is a great honor to be counted among the world’s most influential and innovative digital government leaders,” said Pardo, who has been part of CTG UAlbany since just after it was established in 1993.  “It is truly humbling to be named along with so many talented people who have inspired me throughout my career.”

This inaugural list shows the international spread of innovative work in the field of digital government. Nominations came from hundreds of experts, including 14 national digital services, The Alan Turing Institute, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, the United Nations, Future Cities Catapult, USAID, and the Open Government Partnership.

“People working in digital government often go unrecognized by the wider public, yet the work they do is vital as both the opportunities and risks of digital technologies increase,” said Apolitical CEO Robyn Scott. “It has been a joy to produce this list recognizing the most influential individuals in the field - including some incredible unsung heroes - from around the world.”

The overall top 20 of the list includes: current Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Taiwanese Minister Audrey Tang, World Wide Web giant Tim Berners-Lee, founder and Executive Director of Code for America Jennifer Pahlka, among others.

The rest of the list is categorized by groups such as academics, politicians and others. Pardo and Gil-Garcia are among the 20 academics selected.

“The world, and governing in particular, is becoming more digital and more connected. Here at CTG UAlbany we will continue to work with colleagues from all sectors and around the world to ensure that investments in digital government create maximum public value,” said Pardo.

Apolitical expects the annual list of the 100 Most Influential People in Digital Government to highlight what’s working in digital government, and through the work of those named to provide both a snapshot and a roadmap for the future of digital policy.

The full list can be seen at apolitical.co/lists/digital-government-world100.