Dr. Jennifer Shkabatur

Dr. Jennifer Shkabatur is an Assistant Professor and Vice Dean at the Lauder School of Government, Diplomacy & Strategy at Reichman University in Israel. Her academic and professional work bridges technology policy, development, and innovation ecosystems. She specializes in the political economy of innovation, digital transformation, and the role of institutions in advancing inclusive and sustainable growth.

Jennifer’s research focuses on the intersection of technology, governance, and economic development. She has worked extensively on topics such as digital transformation, innovation policy, artificial intelligence in the public sector, and the role of public-private partnerships in advancing inclusive growth. Her work also addresses issues of social entrepreneurship, gender equity in innovation, and the design of institutional frameworks that support dynamic and accountable governance. She regularly teaches graduate-level courses on artificial intelligence and governance, big data in the public sector, digital government, and innovation policy.

In parallel to her academic work, Jennifer is an international development expert with over 15 years of experience. She has led analytical assessments, designed and implemented mixed-methods research, and supported the preparation, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects across a wide range of thematic areas. Her expertise spans MSME development, entrepreneurship and innovation, the informal economy, citizen engegement and social accountability, digital financial inclusion, youth employment, and gender equality.

She has served as a senior consultant and technical advisor to leading international organizations including the World Bank, UNDP, ILO, ITU, OSCE, WWF, and the Open Society Foundations. Her professional engagements have included fieldwork in more than 30 countries across East Africa, South and Central Asia, and Eastern Europe, including Afghanistan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Brazil, Burundi, Chile, Ethiopia, Georgia, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Russia, Serbia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Uganda, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.

Before joining Reichman University, Dr. Shkabatur taught at Harvard Law School, Harvard College, and Boston University School of Law; served as a fellow at the Berkman Center for Internet & Society, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, and Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University; worked for several non-profits and law firms; and clerked for the Supreme Court of Israel. She also served a Senior Advisor to the Society for International Development (SID) - Israel , and led several research and advocacy initiatives in collaboration with the Israeli government on amplifying the impact of Israeli technologies in emerging markets.

Dr. Shkabatur holds Doctorate (SJD) and Masters (LLM) degrees from Harvard Law School (as a Fulbright Scholar), and Masters (MA) in Political Science and Bachelors (LLB) in Law from Tel Aviv University.

Research and Teaching Expertise