We are particularly interested in research that addresses key topics at the intersection of digital technology and democracy and bring together a cohort of researchers addressing these issues at global, regional, and local levels. The Lab creates collaboration and exchange between academia and thought-leaders, technologists, policymakers, activists, civil society organizations, artists, and creative practitioners, taking a broadly transdisciplinary and global approach.
Research
Our Approach
The DTD Lab works to explore how rapidly evolving digital technologies can challenge, but might also fortify, democratic institutions and practices.
Areas of Focus
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
Featured Resources
Reimagining AI for Environmental Justice and Creativity
This collection of essays emerged from a Fall 2024 workshop and is designed to become a resource for a broad audience with various backgrounds, skills, and interests. The ideas featured help reflect upon the challenges ahead when building, using and evaluating AI in different contexts. Learn more and download a free copy.
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Insights from the Visual Generative AI and Propaganda Convening
This report provides a summary of Visual Generative AI and Propaganda Convening held in September 2024. The event brought together experts to examine the challenges posed by increasingly sophisticated AI-generated visual content on public trust and democratic processes. Learn more and download a free copy.
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Video Library
Faculty & Postdoc Publications
Digital Resilience for the Climate Crisis: A Multi-Perspective Analysis
Steven Johnson, DTD Lab faculty co-lead, is among the scholars who have contributed to joint research commentary in Management Information Systems Quarterly exploring multiple perspectives on the potential use of digital technologies to improve organizational resilience in the context of climate change.
Media Rurality
Megan Wiessner, DTD Lab postdoc, has contributed a chapter to a new book investigating the centrality of rural places and people within the media systems and technologies that shape daily life in and across rural and urban settings. The book will be released in mid-April and can be pre-ordered now.
How will chatbots and AI-generated content influence the 2026 elections?
David Nemer, DTD Lab faculty co-lead, contributed to a new report by the newspaper O Globo about the influence of Chatbots and AI-generated content in the 2026 elections.
Join our vibrant lab and help us explore the intersection of democracy and digital technology.
Current Opportunities