The Digital Technology for Democracy Lab is a collaboration across the University of Virginia that explores how rapidly evolving digital technologies can challenge, but might also fortify, democratic institutions and practices.
Pioneering transdisciplinary research to explore democracy in the digital age
Our Focus
Upcoming Events
Why Jefferson Matters in Our Information Age
Friday, November 13, 2026 • 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM EST
Edgar Shannon Library, 160 McCormick Rd., Seminar Room 330
What AI Means for Work and Democracy
Monday, November 16, 2026 • 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
The Miller Center, 2201 Old Ivy Road, Charlottesville, VA & ONLINE
Research & Programming
Digital Democracy from Below
Taking Tech Back
AI Impact Atlas
Subterranean Convergence
Open-Source AI as Democratic Infrastructure
AI Shock
Automated Futures
Multimodal Climate AI
Data in the Dark
Automation’s Ecologies
Visual Misinformation
AI & the Environment
Student Technology Council
Technology & Disinformation
Social Contagions
Gender & Tech
Co-Opting AI
Urban Digital Twins
Technology & Democracy Exchange
Data Center Policies
Descendant-Led Digital Humanities Lab & Network
Cryptocurrency & Democracy
Trending
Digital Democracy from Below: Resisting AI and Techno-solutionism
Learn More & Download
DTD Lab Welcomes New Postdocs & Faculty Affiliate
Meet the Lab
Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice & Creativity Collection of Essays
Learn More & Download
Insights from the Visual Generative AI Propaganda Convening
Learn More & Download
Video Library
FLiNG Report Launch: How Finfluencers, Fin-Tech, and FOMO Shape Young Adults’ Financial Well-being
Cryptocurrency & Democracy
In the News
“I’m a small business owner, and unfortunately that means I have to be a content creator”: Platformization and the changing work of running a small business
A new article co-authored by DTD Lab seed grant recipient Lana Swartz, examines how platforms are remaking the small business owner as a public figure, one whose commercial, personal, and political commitments are constantly visible to one another.
Jefferson Trust Awards $84,854 to Support Nine Initiatives at UVA
The Student Technology Council, led by faculty co-lead Mona Sloane and student RA Claire Bassett, is one of nine projects at UVA that have received a Jefferson Trust Flash Grants this fall to address technology and data policy questions.
What the Midterms Told Us About Elon Musk’s Political Influence
David Nemer, DTD Lab faculty co-lead, argued that Elon Musk's high-profile political endorsements generated more controversy than actual votes, noting that intense financial backing ultimately attracts public scrutiny that backfires against the candidates.
Join our vibrant lab and help us explore the intersection of digital technology and democracy.
Current Opportunities