NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics works to strengthen democracy by conducting rigorous research, advancing evidence-based public policy, and training the next generation of scholars.

Over the past two decades, social media and other digital technologies have transformed our society. It’s made it easier than ever to find information, engage with politics, and connect with people across the globe. But it’s also helped fuel misinformation, enable harassment, and foment polarization, presenting urgent challenges to democratic governance.

Today, as these technologies become increasingly vital to politics and public life, policymakers in the U.S. and abroad are reshaping the laws and regulations governing the online sphere. While updated policies are necessary to protect individuals from harm and ensure a healthy democracy, their success hinges on the strength of the evidence that informs them.

That’s where NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics excels. Through innovative research, teaching, and outreach, we work to understand politics, improve the public conversation, and strengthen democracy in the digital age.

Politics

NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics

Zeve Sanderson

Lama Mohammed

William Brady

Cristina De La Puerta

Christopher Barrie

Sarah Graham

Erik Opsal

The Research Team at NYU's Center for Social Media and Politics is dedicated to conducting pioneering studies to understand the impact of digital technologies on democratic governance. They analyze data, design experiments, and develop theoretical frameworks to uncover patterns in political engagement, misinformation spread, and social behaviors online. Their work provides the empirical foundation necessary for crafting evidence-based public policies that aim to bolster democratic values in the digital age.

Research Team

Research Team

About

Team members