I am broadly interested in research projects that study how online spaces can be healthier for civic society and how on and offline interventions can reduce harmful polarization in the US.
In my dissertation work I demonstrated that the diffusion of divisive information can be amplified by the structure of online social networks and tested how identity signaling motivates the sharing of divisive news. As the research manager at CAT Lab, I conducted field experiments to test how interventions on Wikipedia - including welcome messages and a tool to express gratitude - can encourage new editors to be ongoing contributors.
I'm a believer in the power of experimental design and, more so, field experiments and replication to inform which of the many well-intentioned interventions we think up of are indeed effective in influencing behavior for the good.
In my dissertation work I demonstrated that the diffusion of divisive information can be amplified by the structure of online social networks and tested how identity signaling motivates the sharing of divisive news. As the research manager at CAT Lab, I conducted field experiments to test how interventions on Wikipedia - including welcome messages and a tool to express gratitude - can encourage new editors to be ongoing contributors.
I'm a believer in the power of experimental design and, more so, field experiments and replication to inform which of the many well-intentioned interventions we think up of are indeed effective in influencing behavior for the good.
Dissertation
Social Media and Information Polarization: Amplifying Echoes or Extremes? University of Michigan, 2019.
Wikipedia Research @ CAT Lab
The Diffusion and Influence of Gratitude Expressions in Large-Scale Cooperation: A Field Experiment in Four Knowledge Networks. Preprint. Blog post.
Effects of Receiving Personalized Welcome Messages on French Wikipedia. Preprint. Blog post.
Broadening African Self-Representation on Wikipedia: A Field Experiment. Preprint. Blog post.
Social Media and Information Polarization: Amplifying Echoes or Extremes? University of Michigan, 2019.
Wikipedia Research @ CAT Lab
The Diffusion and Influence of Gratitude Expressions in Large-Scale Cooperation: A Field Experiment in Four Knowledge Networks. Preprint. Blog post.
Effects of Receiving Personalized Welcome Messages on French Wikipedia. Preprint. Blog post.
Broadening African Self-Representation on Wikipedia: A Field Experiment. Preprint. Blog post.
