Research & Writing

Academic Publications

• Anstis, Siena, Noura Al-Jizawi, and Ron Deibert. “Transnational Repression and the Different Faces of Sovereignty” (forthcoming, 2023) Temple Law Review.
• Anstis, Siena, Niamh Leonard, and Jonathon W. Penney. “Moving from Secrecy to Transparency in the Offensive Cyber Capabilities Sector: The Case of Dual-Use Technologies Exports” (2023) Computer Law & Security Review 1.
• Anstis, Siena, Sophie Barnett, Sharly Chan, and Ron Deibert. “The Negative Externalities of Cyberspace Instability for Global Civil Society.” In Cyberspace and Instability, edited by Robert Chesney, James Shires and Max Smeets, Edinburgh University Press, 2022, pp. 246-284.
• Anstis, Siena and Sophie Barnett. “Digital Transnational Repression and Host States’ Obligation to Protect Against Human Rights Abuses” (2022) Oxford Journal of Human Rights Practice 1.
• Anstis, Siena and RJ Reid. “The Adverse Human Rights Impacts of Canadian Technology Companies: Reforming Export Control with the Introduction of Mandatory Human Rights Due Diligence” (2021) Canadian Journal of Law and Technology 1.
• Anstis, Siena. “Government Procurement Law and Hacking Technology: The Role of Public Contracting in Regulating an Invisible Market” (2021) 41 Computer Law & Security Review 1.
• Anstis, Siena and Molly Joeck. “Detaining the Uncooperative Migrant” (2020) 33 Osgoode Hall Journal of Law and Social Policy 38.
• Anstis, Siena, Joshua Blum, and Jared Will. “Separate but Unequal: Immigration Detention in Canada and the Great Writ of Liberty” (2018) 63:2 McGill Law Journal 1.
• Anstis, Siena, Thomas Touchie and The Honourable Justice Thomas A. Cromwell. “Revisiting the Role of Presumptions of Legislative Intent in Statutory Interpretation” (2017) 95:2 Canadian Bar Review 297.
• Anstis, Siena and the The Homourable Justice Thomas A. Cromwell. “The Legal Services Gap: Access to Justice as a Regulatory Issue” (2017) 42:1 Queen’s Law Journal 1.
• Anstis, Siena and Dr. Fabien Gélinas, Clément Camion, Catherine Piché, Mariko Khan and Karine Bates. Foundations of Civil Justice: Towards a Value-Based Framework for Civil Reform (Springer: New York, 2015).
• Anstis, Siena and Frédéric Mégret. “The Taylor Case: Aiding and Abetting, Specific Direction and the Possibility of Strict Liability for Remote Offenders” in Collection of Essays in Honour of Justice Hassan Bubacar Jallow (Martinus Nijhoff Publishers, 2015). 
• Anstis, Siena and Dr. Nandini Ramanujam. “Legal Empowerment, Social Movements and Fostering Equitable Economic Development in Cambodia” (2013) 2:1 Canadian Journal of Poverty Law.
• Anstis, Siena. “Using Law to Impair the Rights and Freedoms of Human Rights Defenders: A Case Study of Cambodia” (2012) 4:3 Oxford Journal of Human Rights Practice.

Research Reports

• Noural Al-Jizawi, Siena Anstis, Sophie Barnett, Sharly Chan, Niamh Leonard, Adam Senft, and Ron Deibert, “Psychological and Emotional War: Digital Transnational Repression in Canada” (2022) Citizen Lab Research Report No. 151, University of Toronto.
• Anstis, Siena, Irene Poetranto and Sharly Chan. On/Offline: Multidimensional Threats Faced by Environmental Human Rights Defenders in Southeast Asia 2020. Global Information Society Watch.

Media

• “The 5×5—The rise of cyber surveillance and the Access-as-a-Service industry.” In Atlantic Council (November 2022).
• Anstis, Siena and Noura Al-Jizawi. “Wrestling the long-arm of authoritarianism: The case of a Saudi man living in exile in Montreal illustrates that Canada needs a clear policy on transnational repression.” In Policy Options (August 2022).
• Anstis, Siena and Noura Al-Jizawi. “The effects of digital transnational repression and the responsibility of host states.” In Lawfare (May 2022).
• Anstis, Siena and Edin Omanovic. “Canada’s commitment to media freedom must be matched by action.” In the Globe and Mail (April 2021).
• Anstis, Siena, Jon Penney and Sophie Barnett. “Canadian technology is being used to thwart human rights overseas — but there are solutions.” In the Toronto Star (November 2020).
• Anstis, Siena, Ron Deibert, and John Scott-Railton, “A Proposed Response to the Commercial Surveillance Emergency.” (2019). In Lawfare.

Submissions to Government/International Organizations

• Anstis, Siena, Noura Al-Jizawi, Gözde Böcü, Nicola Lawford and Dr. Marcus Michaelsen. “Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on the Situation of Human Rights Defenders on the Challenges Faced by Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRDs) Working in Conflict, Post-conflict or Crisis-Affected Settings.” (2023). The Citizen Lab.
• Anstis, Siena, Dr. Ron Deibert, Émilie LaFlèche, and Jon Penney. Submission to the United Nations Working Group on Enforced or Involuntary Disappearances (2022).
• Anstis, Siena, Sophie Barnett, Dr. Ron Deibert, Lex Gill, Jon Penney, RJ Reid and Adam Senft. Submission to the Government of Canada on the Renewal of the Responsible Business Conduct Strategy (2020).
• Anstis, Siena, Dr. Ronald J. Deibert and Jon Penney. Submission of the Citizen Lab (Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto) to the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression on the Surveillance Industry and Human Rights 2019.

Selected Professional/Academic Presentations and Panels

• Panel Chair. “Measuring Authenticity, Redefining Disinformation: Mixed-Methods Approach to Disinformation Studies in the Context of Repressive Regimes.” (2023). International Communication Association.
• Panelist. “Surveillance Spyware Technologies Raise Alarm Bells.” (2023). UIA Rule of Law Webathon.
• Panelist. “Digital Transnational Repression.” (2023). Munk School of Global Affairs & Public Policy, Professional Programs.
• Panelist. “Digital Transnational Repression and Freedom of Thought and Expression.” (2022). Sovereignty Identity Crisis: State, Self, and Collective in a Digital Age Event. iLIT and the Temple Law Review, Temple Law School. 
• Panelist. “Is Abolition Possible? The Danger of Presuming Technological Neutrality.” (2022). NetHope Summit.
• Panelist. “Transnational Repression Series II: The Long Arm of Authoritarianism.” (2022). Orion Policy Institute.
• Panelist. “Resisting Digital Authoritarianism.” (2022). The Resistance Bureau.
• Panelist. “Understanding the Global Surveillance Industry: The Spyware Case Study and Key Concerns for Canadian Companies and Public Bodies.” (2022). CAN-TECH LAW Association. 
• Panelist. “The Impact of Spyware on Human Rights Defenders.” (2022). OHCHR Expert Meeting on New Technologies and Enforced Disappearances. 
• Panelist. “Journalism Under Digital Siege: Litigation and Accountability for Pegasus Surveillance Against Journalists.” (2022). UNESCO World Press Freedom Day.
• Panelist. “Digital Transnational Repression in Canada”. (2022). Civic Tech Toronto. 
• Panelist. “Supporting Civil Society Engagement and Improving Its Preparedness.” (2022). European Cyber Agora/Working Group Workshop.
• Panelist. “Digital Transnational Repression.” (2022). Emerging Elements of Transnational Repression.” University of Ottawa.
• Panelist. “Pegasus Spyware and the Deficit of Norms.” (2021). Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Main Session BFP Cybersecurity. 
• Panelist. “The Importance of a Robust Transparency Agenda.” (2021). EU Export Control Forum.
• Panelist. “Responding to Digital Transnational Repression.” (2021). Global Democracy Coalition Forum.
• Panelist. “Digital Authoritarianism.” (2021). RightsCon. 
• Panelist. “The Global Proliferation of Spyware.” (2020). RightsCon.
• Panelist. “Digital Transnational Authoritarianism Against Dissidents: Reactions, Emotions, and Insecurity.” (2019). Feeling Safe: Exploring Innovative Research Approaches to the Emotional Underpinnings of Security. Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy, University of Toronto. 
• Panelist. “Detaining the Uncooperative Migrant”. (2019). De-Carceral Futures: Bridging Prison & Immigration Justice, Queen’s University, Faculty of Law.