New Report Emphasizes the Importance of Teaching Civics in STEM

Report by the Center for Strategic and International Studies Supported by the Paladin Global Institute

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Kemba Walden, the former Acting U.S. National Cyber Director and President of the Paladin Global Institute, announces the release of a new report, Building Civics Concepts in STEM and the Tech Sector, by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). An event previewing the report, hosted at CSIS on October 22^nd, featured remarks from Kemba Walden, Senator Mark Warren (D-VA), and the Director of CSIS's Defending Democratic Institutions Project Suzanne Spaulding, as well as a panel discussion with leaders in the civics and tech fields. The Paladin Global Institute, which supported the development of the report, was created by Paladin Capital Group, the multi-stage investor specializing in cyber, AI, and advanced technology. The Institute is a global convening force working to identify and mitigate cyber, AI, and deep tech risks.

"Those who study and work in the STEM fields play an important role in ensuring America and our allies reap the full benefits from technological innovation and are protected from its risks," said Kemba Walden, President of the Paladin Global Institute. "This report explores how and why our tech sector must understand U.S. democracy and want to both protect and perfect it. I am grateful to CSIS for working on this important report and for convening a distinguished group of experts last month to discuss the findings."

Both the report and the event underscore the urgent need to invest in expanding civic knowledge, skills, and engagement across the STEM fields. With technology creating new opportunities for democracies and posing new threats, the report highlights the importance of giving tech innovators the resources to think critically about how their work impacts U.S. critical infrastructure and how they can best inform our government's tech-related decisions.

The report's launch event featured an introduction by Paladin Global Institute's Kemba Walden, followed by a fireside chat with CSIS' Suzanne Spaulding and Senator Warner, the Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. The panel that followed the fireside chat featured insights from leading experts, including:

• Shawn Healy, Senior Director for Policy and Advocacy, iCivics
• Lance Holbert, Director, Leonore Annenberg Institute for Civics, University of Pennsylvania
• Susan Landau, Professor in Cybersecurity and Policy, Department of Computer Science, Tufts University
• Daniel Sutherland, Professor of Cybersecurity Law and Policy, George Washington University
• Dave Leichtman, Director, Corporate Civic Responsibility, Microsoft

Paladin Capital Group is proud to support the work of the Paladin Global Institute and CSIS to instill a sense of civic duty in the tech innovators of today and the future. In line with these values, Paladin announced a series of Investment Principles and Commitments on Trust, Safety, and Security with the White House National Security Council in March. The firm is committed to ushering in an era of investing that serves to protect the U.S. and its allies. Through its Paladin Global Institute, Paladin is also investing in research and advocacy to strengthen its relationship with the U.S. government and help our lawmakers implement policies that encourage innovation and keep Americans and our allies safe.

About Paladin Capital Group

Paladin Capital Group was founded in 2001 and has offices in Washington DC, New York, London, Luxembourg, and Silicon Valley. As a multi-stage investor, Paladin's core strength is identifying, supporting, and investing in innovative companies that develop promising, early-stage technologies to address the critical cyber and advanced technological needs of both commercial and government customers.

Combining proven investment experience with deep expertise in global security, cyber technology, and cutting-edge research, Paladin has invested in more than 80 companies since 2008 and has been a trusted partner to investors, entrepreneurs, and governments for over two decades.

For more on Paladin Capital Group, follow us on Twitter at @Paladincap and on LinkedIn or visit us at www.paladincapgroup.com.

About The Paladin Global Institute

The Paladin Global Institute's mission is to protect global critical infrastructure from cyber, AI, and deep tech threats and enhance the safety of people online by investing in research and advocacy, making informed policy recommendations, and bringing together the public and private sectors to share knowledge and create and invest in innovative technologies.

About The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS)

The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is a bipartisan, nonprofit policy research organization dedicated to advancing practical ideas to address the world's greatest challenges.