Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government announced that it will shut down the Technology and Social Change Project next year.
The notable research center studied online misinformation. The decision was first reported by the school’s student-led publication “The Harvard Crimson.”
The End of a Pioneering Project
The project is said to be shut down due to bureaucratic reasons. According to The Washington Post, the decision followed a new reform that requires only faculty members to lead such projects.
The project’s director, Joan Donovan, is not a faculty member and therefore could not continue to lead the project, said Nancy Gibbs, the director of the Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, in an internal email shared with The Washington Post.
The Technology and Social Change Project
The Technology and Social Change Project at Harvard Kennedy School's Shorenstein Center focuses on the convergences between technology, media, and politics. The center is known for conducting research on the impacts of information and misinformation on societies.
Since 2019, the Technology and Social Change Project played a vital role in fighting the spread of misinformation about COVID-19.
Many Twitter users showed support for Donavon and the project.
Who is Joan Donovon?
Donovan is recognized globally as a leading expert on disinformation. Her research has been cited by numerous media outlets, including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and CNN. She is a frequent public speaker and has advised organizations and governments on strategies to counter disinformation.
Donovan has also published several pertinent studies and articles in the fields of media manipulation, disinformation, and technology studies. Some of her most seminal works include: "The Architecture ofMisinformation: Behind the Trolls, Bots, and Fake News," "Media Manipulation and Disinformation in the Digital Age," "From #MeToo to #BelieveWomen: How Hashtag Activism Shapes Collective Action," and "The Tactics and Tropes of the Online Far Right."
Red Flags Over Closure of the Technology and Social Change Project
Several concerns are ensuing from the decision to shut down the center. To begin with, with the 2024 elections looming ahead, misinformation is expected to skyrocket.
Moreover, as The Washington Post reported, Twitter has taken steps to limit the accessibility of its data for real-time research.
The company announced that starting from February 9, it will charge for automated access through its Application Programming Interfaces. The decision will impact both developers and researchers. Centers such as the Technology and Social Change Project are ever more important.
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