Michellepreet Sanghera is a PhD Candidate in Political Science at Rutgers–New Brunswick. She brings an interdisciplinary foundation to her doctoral research, with a triple undergraduate major in Political Science, History, and Criminal Justice, an MA in Political Science concentrating in Human Rights and International Law, and a PhD Certificate in Media Studies. Specializing in American Politics, Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, and Methodology, Sanghera examines artificial intelligence's role in democratic life. Sanghera uniquely bridges academia and administration, leading administration at the Rutgers Institute for Quantitative Biomedicine, which hosts the university's AI and Data Science Collaboratory — embodying academic scholarship and real-world impact.

The Influenced Voter – Social Media Influencers on Public Opinion Formation

How we get political information has changed dramatically. Where news anchors and party leaders once dominated political communication, social media influencers have emerged as powerful new voices shaping what people think and believe. Unlike traditional sources, influencers build personal trust with their audiences while simultaneously reaching millions — blurring the line between trusted friend and mass media. This project examines how influencers shape political opinions differently than traditional sources, and whether influencers who rarely discuss politics can quietly engage citizens who otherwise tune out. This research speaks directly to how digital platforms and algorithms are reshaping informed civic engagement and U.S. democracy.

This project is co-authored with Katherine McCabe, Associate Professor of Political Science, Rutgers–New Brunswick.