Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University

You don't have to go to j-school to be part of a global investigatory network using digital tools to expose corruption, tell critical stories, and uplift under-heard voices. Johanna Wild, former BKC fellow and leader of Bellingcat, will discuss the organization has trained volunteers to lead tasks such as sorting through social media posts and online data leaks or analyzing satellite imagery and user generated videos to piece together findings of public interest. Join us on Thursday, October 24th at 12:30 pm! https://lnkd.in/di47XDNq

TOMORROW, Joe Walther returns to the Institute for Rebooting Social Media at BKC to share his work on Social Processes of Online Hate, where he spent last year as a Visiting Scholar. He will be joined by current fellow Sahana Udupa of For Digital Dignity, a research initiative to advance critical inquiry on the political impact of online media. These two scholars will delve into critical questions about groupthink, hate speech, and platform response, such as: Where does online hate come from? How do these haters organize themselves to direct hate to certain people? Why do these campaigns of hate happen at all? Join the conversation in person or online tomorrow, October 9th, at 12:30 pm ET! https://lnkd.in/e3E_6ue4

Calling the writers, editors, lawyers, policymakers, executives, ethicists, curators, historians, or those who are budding into the next generation of those professions. BKC is looking for an undergraduate or graduate student to support our newsletters, social media, and website content as our next Editorial Research Assistant. You should have a keen eye for detail, a love for writing and finding journalists and researchers with nuanced, unique perspectives on all things public interest technology. Even if you're new to the field, we want to meet people who are curious and can introduce us to ideas and culture they are passionate about! Please apply and tell us more about yourself and what you care about today. https://lnkd.in/eKvpyQr7

Dr. Rumman Chowdhury observes in Foreign Policy that global AI governance organizations are often not equipped to understand?the safety and resource concerns of the global majority. To address this, she argues, "We should support the development of regional AI safety institutes. These institutes could consolidate resources, develop local expertise, and advocate for the needs of global-majority nations in future AI governance discussions." https://lnkd.in/gETF33g8

The Applied Social Media Lab at BKC is launching a fellowship program for industry professionals in ASML's four focus areas: civil discourse, transparency tools, personalized safety applications, and interoperable software infrastructure. Operating on six-week or four-month timelines for project-based work, the ASML fellowship is an opportunity to collaborate with tech experts, civil society advocates, academics, and designers to refine their project. Applicants can select their ideal timeline for participation, with options for a six-week or four-month program (from September to December?or?February to May). Stipends are available! While this fellowship is remote, participants will be encouraged to visit the Lab in Cambridge, MA, at least once during their appointment. https://lnkd.in/e3Pk9hcN

Next week kicks off the Institute for Rebooting Social Media's fall Speaker Series with two experts on social media's potential for groupthink, online hate and extreme speech: former RSM fellow Joe Walther of UC Santa Barbara and current BKC Sahana Udupa of the Center for Digital Dignity at the Technical University of Munich. Join Joe and Sahana on October 9th in-person and online for an enlightening and robust conversation about their research, emerging theories, and global policy efforts aimed at curbing online hate and misinformation on October 9th from 12:30 - 1:30 pm ET. https://lnkd.in/e3E_6ue4

Applied Social Media Lab's Director Jonathan Bellack kicked off "Beyond Discourse Dumpster Fires: Online Tools and Strategies for Healthier Online Space" by breaking down what major social media companies have used AI for on their platforms to two actions: to promote and to police. We see "the sensational and the inflammatory because that’s what drives usage" while being individually admonished when we go too far: "When AI tells you that your last comment broke the rules, the message conveyed is that the platform doesn’t trust you … It’s like they’re reviewing parts on an assembly line for defects." The message of the event, and of the Lab itself, is that a more pluralistic world of digital platforms, tools, and ideas can improve online discourse and bring trust back to these digital spaces. Thanks to Harvard Law School for covering this event, featuring danah boyd Gordon Pennycook Jonathan Zittrain Deb Roy and others. https://lnkd.in/evJ2xFj8

Check out our first public event of the fall, hosted by the Applied Social Media Lab, which introduced its some of its new tools and staff working on healthier online spaces. If you’re interested in this work, get in touch.

Calling Harvard University students with strong skills in writing and social media! The BKC communications team is looking for Research Assistants to support with the curation of our newsletters, promoting our events, and amplifying the work of our community members across our various channels. If you are the person who is always sending your friends articles, or highlighting quotes to save for later, this might be the job for you. Undergraduates and graduate students welcome to apply! Even if you do not meet every qualification, we encourage you to consider applying. The team is looking for a wide variety of experiences and perspectives to add to our team. https://lnkd.in/eKvpyQr7

Are you a Harvard University student interested in reimagining social media? Students are a huge part of our work; please consider joining us this year! The Institute for Rebooting Social Media and Applied Social Media Lab are looking for Research Assistants - both graduate and undergraduate students are eligible to apply. RSM and ASML are seeking students with skills in software engineering, qualitative and quantitative research, and legal analysis. Check out the job descriptions and see if you are a fit. https://lnkd.in/gVDs6ag4