THE INTERNET DEMOCRACY INITIATIVE

Focus Areas

The Internet Democracy Initiative is providing new insights and solutions relating to challenges associated with information technologies, from areas such as democratic participation and public health to social inclusion online and the fairness of communications platforms.   

Electoral and Political Participation

The IDI looks to provide technical and ethics-oriented expertise on data sharing as well as real-time insights on patterns of disinformation, in order to assist with election integrity efforts. We aim to provide audits of social platforms and representative snapshots of user behavior to inform broad-based civic efforts to improve voter and political participation. IDI is interested in partnering with civic groups to help map information flows and identify problem areas in the online ecosystem. We are exploring international collaboration to measure the impacts of foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining the policies, security, or stability of the United States and allies.

Public Health

The IDI will leverage data and partnerships to facilitate change in the world of online health information, helping and influencing social media platforms, search engines, and media organizations to moderate content better, boost quality information, disrupt transmission chains sharing misinformation, and design better user interfaces. In the past, faculty have advised major platforms such as Google/YouTube and Meta/Facebook and the National Academies of Medicine, to help promote more evidence-based policies and guidance.

Inclusion and Marginalization

IDI will be working on ways to ensure historically excluded voices are represented, amplified, and considered in data structures and decision-making processes. Research will build on the robust existing scholarship from within the university community on issues of digital power and rights, focusing on mechanisms that perpetuate inequalities, political marginalization, and structural racism.

Information Environment

The IDI’s overall work in analyzing the information environment draws on distinctive, core strengths at Northeastern University. These include:

  1. Continuing global leadership in the discipline of computational social science;
  2. Algorithm auditing and the study of the use of algorithms by powerful online actors;
  3. Normative dimensions of AI and big data analytics, including pioneering industry-engaged work on AI and information ethics
  4. The new National Internet Observatory, which will generate opportunities to create new kinds of models – manifest not only in research but in technologies, innovations and partnerships with diverse NGO, industry, and government groups.