This repository captures both my academic research into protocol-centric governance as well as the ways I put that research into practice as the Governance Lead for Rook DAO.
My initial approach to blockchain governance was through my dissertation research. That project (completed 2021) examined blockchain as a potential form of general purpose technology, and asked how such a technology diffuses in its early stages. I answered this broad question by focusing on the social organization of individual projects, and more specifically on the technology's implications for organizational structure and governance.
This background provided a platform for my more recent work for Rook DAO, where I have used a combination of desk research as well as user and participant research as core inputs into refining the governance process.
Academic research
Dissertation paper on blockchain protocol governance
Blockchains as infrastructure and semicommons (Forthcoming in Wm. & Mary Law Review, with J. Grimmelmann)
Applied research
User research: voting patterns
Participant research: Sophon (delegate) survey
As Governance Lead at Rook DAO, I have pursued two missions: developing research-driven improvements to the process while stewarding the current governance process. What follows are work samples from each of these aspects of my work for Rook.
Process improvements
Proposal to update core process
Proposal to establish governance weights
Toward governance-oriented tokenomics
Recording: workshop on voting edge-case scenarios
Stewardship
Work sites: Forum, Github, Snapshot
Guide for authoring proposals, with templates
Thought leadership