Sunil Abraham Timeline
Sunil Abraham (born 17 June 1973) is an Indian technologist, researcher and public policy leader known for his work on open technologies, digital rights and Internet governance.
This page presents a timeline biography — a strictly chronological record of key life events and milestones.
Table of Contents
- Early Life and Education
- Civic and Professional Career
- Academic Roles and Current Work
- Recognition and Fellowships
- Personal Life
- Ongoing Work
Early Life and Education
Birth
Born in India to A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel and Ponnamma Abraham. His upbringing in a family rooted in education and theology shaped his social and intellectual curiosity.
Completed schooling
Completed studies at Clarence High School, Bangalore.
Founded Students for Peace
Established Students for Peace, organising a large candlelight demonstration on M. G. Road to promote communal harmony and non-violence.
Graduation
Graduated in Industrial Engineering and Management from Dayananda Sagar College of Engineering, University of Bangalore, Karnataka.
Civic and Professional Career
Joined Samuha
Worked with the NGO Samuha on low-cost, open technologies for rural communication and coordination.
Co-founded Mahiti
Co-founded Mahiti, a social enterprise offering affordable digital tools for civil society. Served as Director (1998–2004).
Ashoka Fellowship
Awarded an Ashoka Fellowship for early work in open technology and civic participation.
Marriage
Married Esmeralda Davis at Wesley English Church, Bangalore.
Manager, International Open Source Network (IOSN)
Served with UNDP's APDIP programme to promote FOSS, open standards and open content across the Asia–Pacific region.
Co-founded Centre for Internet and Society (CIS)
Co-founded CIS in Bangalore and served as Executive Director (May 2008 – November 2019), building a research centre focused on openness, accessibility and digital governance.
Internet Governance Forum (IGF)
Participated in IGF 2011, contributing to international dialogues on openness, privacy and governance.
Academic Roles and Current Work
Appointed Lector, ArtEZ University of the Arts
Joined ArtEZ, Arnhem (Netherlands) as an endowed professor (lector), developing research and teaching at the intersection of art, design and public policy.
Transition from CIS
Concluded role as Executive Director at CIS and refocused on academic and advisory work.
Public Policy Director, Meta India
Leads policy work on the data economy and emerging technologies for Meta India.
Recognition and Fellowships
Honours and fellowships
Received the Ashoka Fellowship (1999) and the Sarai FLOSS Fellowship (2003), among other recognitions.
Personal Life
Residence
Resides in Gurgaon, India. Balances professional commitments with personal interests in art, education and open knowledge.
Ongoing Work
Continued engagement
Remains active in research, writing and advisory work on digital rights and governance across the Global South.
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