The Global Network Initiative (GNI) welcomes the Programme on Democracy and Technology from the Oxford Internet Institute (OII) at the University of Oxford as a member of the GNI academic constituency.

The Programme on Technology and Democracy investigates the interaction of algorithms, automation, and politics. The research project examines how automated bots are using social media networking sites to manipulate global public opinion. It comprises a team of social and information scientists using perspectives from organizational sociology, human computer interaction, communication, information science and political science to interpret and analyze the spread of misinformation online.

“The Global Network Initiative (GNI) offers a unique multi-stakeholder platform for academics, civil society and human rights organisations to openly deliberate issues around the freedom of expression and privacy rights at eye-level. Our group of academics at the Programme on Democracy and Technology will value the opportunity to participate in these important conversations and are committed to bringing analysis, research, and insight to GNI’s work,” said Professor Dr. Philip N. Howard, Director, Programme on Democracy and Technology.

“GNI will greatly benefit from the dedicated and multidisciplinary team of researchers at the Programme on Democracy and Technology versed in organizational sociology, human computer interaction, communication, information science, and political science to analyze current trends affecting freedom of expression, including Professor Howard who has been an independent academic member of GNI since 2013,” said GNI Executive Director Judith Lichtenberg.

Learn more about the Programme on Democracy and Technology and about GNI’s members.