Rutgers Democracy Lab Launches Technology and Democracy Research Hub

New initiative within the Rutgers Democracy Lab at the Eagleton Institute of Politics will examine how social media, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies influence political behavior.

Rutgers University has launched the Technology and Democracy Research Hub, a new initiative within the Rutgers Democracy Lab (RDL) dedicated to understanding how emerging technologies are reshaping civic engagement, political trust, and the future of democracy.

Led by Eyal Hanfling, the Hub’s mission is to involve students in hands-on research, and provide evidence-based insights to guide policymakers, technology leaders, and the public.

“The launch of the Technology and Democracy Research Hub comes at a critical moment and underscores an urgent need to better understand how technologies like social media shape public life and the foundations of democracy,” said Elizabeth Matto, Director of the Eagleton Institute of Politics, which houses RDL. “It will connect rigorous research with real-world solutions and give students a central role in that process.”

The Hub will support interdisciplinary projects across Rutgers campuses and mentor cohorts of undergraduate researchers. It will also host workshops and public discussions and engage with industry, community organizations, and civic leaders at local, state, and national levels.

Hanfling, who joins Rutgers after earning his Ph.D. in Political Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), studies how technology impacts political behavior. His research combines experimental surveys, interviews, and data from simulated social media environments to better understand the effects of social media platforms on intergroup relations.

“From viral posts to algorithmic feeds, what unfolds online increasingly shapes the tone of civic life” Hanfling said. “The Hub will help Rutgers lead national conversations about how to ensure that emerging technologies protect democratic norms.”

RDL was established through a transformative gift received in November 2024. It works to ensure that future generations have access to the tools and knowledge needed to do the important work of strengthening democracy. 

For more information about the Research Hub, visit https://democracylab.rutgers.edu/research.