Dr. Pedro Robles

Dr. Pedro Robles
Assistant Teaching Professor of Cyber Analytics and Operations
[email protected]
610-285-5000 – press 0
315-E, Lehigh Valley
2809 Saucon Valley
Center Valley, PA 18034

Pedro A. Robles, Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor of Cyber Analytics and Operations

The intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and governance drives the impactful work of Pedro A. Robles, Ph.D., Assistant Teaching Professor of Cyber Analytics and Operations at Penn State Lehigh Valley.

Dr. Pedro Robles is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Cyber Analytics and Operations at Penn State Lehigh Valley with more than 30 years of experience in Information Technology, Cybersecurity, and Digital Governance. His research focuses on cybersecurity, artificial intelligence governance, technology policy, data privacy, and public administration. He is the creator of the Unified Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework (UAIGF), an interdisciplinary governance model that integrates principles of transparency, accountability, ethics, security, privacy, and public trust to support the responsible development and deployment of artificial intelligence systems. His scholarship examines the intersection of technology, governance, and public policy, with particular emphasis on helping organizations and governments navigate the opportunities and challenges of emerging technologies while promoting responsible innovation.

"My research focuses on the intersection of technology, governance, and public policy, exploring issues such as artificial intelligence governance, policy diffusion, and how public institutions can effectively manage emerging technologies while promoting innovation, accountability, and public trust" said Dr. Robles.

Since joining the faculty at Penn State Lehigh Valley, Dr. Robles has been dedicated to preparing the next generation of cybersecurity and analytics professionals. Drawing on his extensive industry and academic experience, he helps students develop the technical, analytical, and leadership skills needed to address complex cybersecurity and technology management challenges in both the public and private sectors. Through hands-on learning and applied research, students learn to conduct cybersecurity analytics using modern artificial intelligence techniques, including machine learning, deep learning, and other advanced analytical models. His teaching emphasizes data-driven decision-making, threat analysis, risk assessment, and the practical application of emerging technologies to solve real-world cybersecurity and organizational challenges.

 

Research (Research Interests)

  • Information Technology Governance and Digital Transformation 
  • Public Policy and Governance (National, State, and International Perspectives) 
  • Policy Diffusion, Policy Learning, and Institutional Isomorphism 
  • Data Privacy, Digital Trust, and Technology Ethics 
  • Cybersecurity Policy and Risk Management 
  • Artificial Intelligence Governance and Regulation 
  • AI Policy Development and Implementation 
  • Autonomous Vehicle Governance and Policy 
  • Machine Learning Applications in Public and Private Sectors 
  • Deep Learning and Neural Networks  
  • Emerging Technologies and Public Sector Innovation

Under Review

  • Robles, P. A. Strategizing AI Policy in State Governments: Balancing Innovation and Governance. Frontiers of Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Multidisciplinary Applications. Springer.
  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. Artificial Intelligence in Public Administration: Challenges and Strategies in U.S. State Government Regulation. Submitted to International Journal of Public Administration.
  • Robles, P., Best, E., Mallinson, D. J., & Azevedo, L. Building Trust in Government AI: Balancing Innovation and Privacy in Healthcare Service. Submitted to Public Organization Review.

2025

  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. Advancing AI Governance with a Unified Theoretical Framework: A Systematic Review. Perspectives on Public Management and Governance.
  • Mallinson, D. J., Azevedo, L., Best, E., & Robles, P. Artificial Intelligence Policy, the Trump Administration, and Federalism. Administrative Theory & Praxis.
  • Robles, P., Mallinson, D. J., Best, E., Devaney, C., & Azevedo, L. Global Perspectives on Regulating Facial Recognition Technology Utilization for Criminal Justice Arrests. Global Public Policy and Governance.
  • Robles, P. Experience From Conducting Research of Public Officials About Autonomous Vehicle Policy Adoption in the American States. Sage Research Methods.

2024

  • Azevedo, L., Mallinson, D. J., Wang, J., Robles, P., & Best, E. AI Policies, Equity, and Morality and the Implications for Faculty in Higher Education. Public Integrity.
  • Best, E., Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. The Future of AI Politics, Policy, and Business. Business and Politics.
  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. Policy Learning and the Diffusion of Autonomous Vehicle Policy in the American States. State and Local Government Review.

2023

  • Stone, J., Kimberly, J., & Robles, P. Strategic Measurement and Evaluation of Municipal Social Media: Insight from Front-Line Personnel in the United States. Transforming Government: People, Process and Policy.
  • Robles, P. Developing an Effective Artificial Intelligence Governance Framework. Doctoral Dissertation, Pennsylvania State University.
  • Mallinson, D. J., Azevedo, L., Best, E., Robles, P., & Wang, J. The Future of AI is in the States: The Case of Autonomous Vehicle Policies. Business and Politics.
  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. Artificial Intelligence Technology, Public Trust, and Effective Governance. Review of Policy Research.
  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. West and Allen, Turning Point: Policymaking in the Era of Artificial Intelligence. Science & Technology Studies.
  • Robles, P., & Mallinson, D. J. Catching Up With AI: Pushing Toward a Cohesive Governance Framework. Politics & Policy.

2022

  • Mallinson, D., Ali, A., Guo, J., & Robles, P. The Scourge of Orphaned and Abandoned Wells: Leveraging Public-Private-Citizen Collaboration to Solve a Big Problem. Public Works Management & Policy.

Editor review

Robles, Pedro, Cheryl Devaney, Lauren Azevedo, Eric Best, and Daniel Mallinson. (In preparation). Comparative Regionalism in AI Governance. In Handbook on the Global Governance of Artificial Intelligence, Furendal, Markus and Magnus Lundgren (eds.). Edward Elgar.

Refereed Teaching Publications

Pedro Robles (2024). Experience From Conducting a Research of Public Officials About Autonomous Vehicle Policy Adoption in the American States. Sage Research Methods

Book Reviews

Robles, Pedro and Mallinson. (2023). “West and Allen, Turning Point: Policymaking in the Era of Artificial Intelligence.” Science & Technology Studies 36(3): 81-84.

Pennsylvania State University

Ph.D. Public Administration focus on Information Technology Governance

MPS Enterprise Architect

MPS Project Management

MPS Homeland Security Information Security Forensics

B.S Business Administration and Information Technology

M.S. Big Data Analytics – Big Data Systems 
 

University of Maryland

M.S Technology Management and M.S Business Administration

Awards

Keystone State Chapter, American Society for Public Administration (ASPA), Distinguished Public Service Award (2025)

Penn State Lehigh Valley. Early Career Research Award. (2025)

State and Local Government Review. Policy Learning and the Diffusion of Autonomous Vehicle Policy in the American States. (2024)

Evidence of Cyber Excellence Recognition Program Fall (2023)

. . . 

Papers and Presentations

American Society for Public Administration (ASPA)

  • Regulating AI in State Governments: Security Challenges and Legislative Responses (2026)
  • AI in Public Administration: Challenges and Strategies in U.S. State Regulation (2025)
  • Advancing AI Governance with a Unified Theoretical Framework (2024)
  • AI Technology, American Attitudes, and Effective Governance (2023)

APPAM Fall Research Conference

  • From Innovation to Accountability: Governing AI in Public Administration (2025)
  • Policy Emulation and Learning in Autonomous Vehicle Policy in the American States (2025)
  • Cybersecurity, Data Management, and Algorithms (2024)
  • Policy Emulation and Learning in Autonomous Vehicle Policy in the American States (2024)
  • From Innovation to Accountability: Governing AI in Public Administration (2024)

Conference on Policy Process Research

  • Policy Emulation and Learning: The Diffusion of Autonomous Vehicle Policy in the American States (2024)

Northeastern Political Science Association

  • AI Technology, American Attitudes, and Effective Governance (2023)
  • Catching Up With AI: Pushing Toward a Cohesive Governance Framework (2022)
  • Analyzing Corruption in the Healthcare Industry: A Theoretical Framework for Enhanced Transparency and Accountability to Reduce Corruption (2021)

Experiments in Government Event

  • Strategizing Artificial Intelligence Policy in State Governments: A Multidimensional Approach to Balancing Innovation and Governance (2024)

Additional Professional Presentations

  • Research on Autonomous Vehicle Policy with State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO, 2022)
  • Journey to the NIST Cybersecurity Framework 2.0 Workshop (NIST, 2022)
  • Multiple Penn State Cybersecurity and Information Technology presentations
  • Tech Pros Conference presentations on Active Directory and Mobile Device Management

Invited Talks and Panels

  • Pennsylvania Keystone State Chapter Speaker Series: The AI Toolbox: Practical Applications in Academia and Government (2026)
  • Penn State Lehigh Valley Academic Advising and Career Strategy (2023)
  • Business Technology Advisory Council (2023)
  • Penn State Lehigh Valley Master Mind Event: Chain Management and Cybersecurity (2023)
  • Penn State Lehigh Valley Faculty Workshop: ChatGPT and AI (2023)