Applying computational methods, large-scale data analysis and social theory to investigate human behavior, communication, networks and institutions, with particular attention to digital platforms, information flows and technology-mediated social life.

Researchers

• Alexandros Efstratiou
• Bill Howe
• Tanu Mitra
• Belén Saldías
• Martin Saveski
• Emma Spiro
• Ott Toomet
• Nicholas Weber
• Jevin West
• Spencer Williams

Related Projects and Grants

Enabling Healthier Information Ecosystem: Understanding and Supporting Online Information Integrity Work

PI: Tanu Mitra
Funding: National Science Foundation, $370,692
Dates: 2025-2030

Center for an Informed Public (2025)

PI: Emma Spiro
Funding: John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, $4,500,000
Dates: 2025-2029

Hewlett Renewal Support of the Center for an Informed Public

PI: Emma Spiro
Funding: The William and Flora Hewitt Foundation, $1,000,000
Dates: 2025-2027

Encoding a Plurality of Societal Values in Social Media AIs

PI: Martin Saveski
Funding: National Science Foundation, $395,059
Dates: 2024-2017

AI-Ready: Testbed for Observation of Municipal Politics

PI: Nic Weber
Funding: National Science Foundation, $96,986
Dates: 2025-2027

Misinformation Media Literacy: Supporting Libraries as Hubs for Misinformation Education (MML)

PI: Jevin West
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services, $769,727
Dates: 2023-2026

The Architecture of Accountability in 21st Century Latin America

PI: Nic Weber
Funding: National Science Foundation, $186,668
Dates: 2023-2026

Auditing Social Media Algorithmic Pathways to Measure Prevalence of Online Misinformation Related to Opioid Misuse

PI: Tanu Mitra
Funding: National Institutes of Health, $244,178
Dates: 2023-2025

Open-Source Hardware Assembly, Repair, and Sustainability

PI: Nicholas Weber
Funding: Institute of Museum and Library Services, $317,332
Dates: 2022-2025

Influencing Communities and Narratives: New Techniques for Understanding Adversarial Influence Online

PI: Tanu Mitra
Funding: Office of Naval Research, $150,000
Dates: 2021-2024

Characterizing Sustainable Software from NSF Awards

PI: Nic Weber
Funding: National Science Foundation, $247,596
Dates: 2022-2024

UW Dissonance Interventions to Reduce Conspiracies

PI: Tanu Mitra
Funding: Google, $160,000
Dates: 2023

Creating a critical hub for countering misinformation

PI: Kate Starbird
Funding: Pew Charitable Trusts, $1,199,999
Dates: 2022-2023

Designing Education Resources to Counter Misinformation for Older Adults

PI: Jevin West
Funding: Argosy Foundation, $50,000
Dates: 2022-2023