Technology and Democracy Research Hub
Mission
The Technology and Democracy Hub examines how social media, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies influence political behavior. Through rigorous research and collaboration with community members and practitioners, the Hub generates insights with national impact, contributing to the broader understanding of democracy’s evolution in the digital age.
Spring 2026 Intern Cohort
Are you a Rutgers undergraduate student interested in exploring how social media shapes society and politics? Consider joining the Technology and Democracy Research Hub Spring 2026 paid internship cohort, open to students from all majors. This program offers technical training and hands-on experience in social media research and the opportunity to co-author a report. Interns will dive into big questions about how platforms shape what we see and believe online — exploring topics like echo chambers, misinformation, and polarization. No technical background required—just curiosity, commitment, and a passion for social media and politics.
See the application for more details – applications are due December 1!
Our Key Research Areas:
· Measuring Social Media Trends and Civic Participation: Examining how online discourse influences voter behavior, political engagement, and trust in democratic institutions.
· The Role of Generative AI, Polarization, and Misinformation in Democracy: Analyzing how emerging technologies contribute to the spread of false information, political division, and public trust in media.
· Platform Design, Policies, and Civic Engagement: Investigating how social media platforms’ algorithms, moderation policies, and content recommendation systems shape civic participation and democratic discourse.
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.
Contact
For questions or to get involved, please email Dr. Eyal Hanfling, Director of the Technology and Democracy Research Hub.