Ian Barber

Ian Barber is an international lawyer specialising in public international law, human rights, digital technologies, international security, and U.S. asylum law. His work combines high-level multilateral advocacy with hands-on legal practice, offering a grounded perspective on the application of international frameworks in real-world contexts.

From 2019 to 2025, he held a series of legal and advocacy roles at Global Partners Digital, where he provided legal and policy expertise on human rights and humanitarian law in the digital environment. His work focused on artificial intelligence governance, cyber operations, and online platform regulation, and included direct engagement in processes at the United Nations, the Council of Europe, and national levels. He contributed to major international frameworks such as the Council of Europe AI Convention, the UN Cybercrime Convention, and the UN Open-Ended Working Group on ICTs, and designed and delivered training programmes for diplomats, policymakers, and civil society.

He currently practises as a contracted attorney in U.S. asylum law, representing individuals seeking asylum and related protections and pursuing litigation to address administrative delays. Across his work, he brings a strong commitment to translating complex legal and technological issues into actionable outcomes and to promoting and defending human rights.