The McCain Institute at Arizona State University has selected Buena Vista resident Hannah Becker as a member of its 2026 American Democracy and Technology Fellowship cohort, a national program focused on the intersection of emerging technology, national security, and democratic resilience.
Becker serves as vice president of Becker Digital, a service-disabled veteran-owned small business that provides training and professional development services to government agencies and national nonprofit organizations.
Her work focuses on the intersection of emerging technologies, cyber threats, and leadership in complex operational environments.
The McCain Institute’s American Democracy and Technology Fellowship brings together experts from across the United States to engage policymakers, national security leaders, and technology experts on the opportunities and risks emerging technologies pose to democratic institutions.
Over the course of the one-year fellowship, participants conduct research and policy engagement aimed at strengthening democratic governance and protecting civil liberties in an increasingly complex technological environment.
As part of the fellowship, Becker will conduct research examining how artificial intelligence and manipulated information influence democratic resilience, with a focus on practical strategies that strengthen information integrity while safeguarding democratic norms and civil liberties.
In addition to her work with Becker Digital, Becker has taught at Virginia Military Institute, Norwich University, and Ottawa University, and has presented research and instructional frameworks at senior military colleges, federal service academies, AFCEA Tech-Net Cyber, and the Association of Military Colleges and Schools of the United States. She is also a former Fellow at the Joint Special Operations University and currently serves on the AFCEA International Cyber Committee, contributing to national conversations on cyber threats, cognitive security, and emerging technologies.
