Boston University Center for Mobile Communication Studies-- April 9th Expert Workshop

Boston University Center for Mobile Communication Studies

April 9th Expert Workshop

Social media and the prospects for expanded democratic participation in national policy-setting
Expert Workshop April 9th, 2015

Although social media have demonstrated their critical role in electoral politics and many other domains including disseminating political news and information, they have not yet been effectively deployed in helping set national policy. New social media platforms could potentially expand the quality and level of public support in areas such as law enforcement, health, education, and public diplomacy.

To better understand the barriers as well as potential role, both positive and negative, of social media in setting national goals and policies, leading thinkers will be coming to Boston University’s College of Communication on April 9, 2015. With papers having been prepared in advance, the day-long event will allow in-depth analysis of the latest thinking on these issues. In addition, time will be set aside for a mapping exercise to consider what the next steps are in terms of needed future research so that the insights presented at the workshop can help inform other researchers both in the United States and beyond

We have a strong set of papers to be presented and a wide-ranging and esteemed group of participants and guests. The following is our current list of presenters and discussants

Amy Becker, Loyola University
Michael Bruter, London School of Economics
Lauren Copeland, John Carroll University
Deen Freelon, American University
Archon Fung, Harvard Kennedy School
Hahrie Han, Wellesley College
Eitan Hersh, Yale University
Phil Howard, University of Washington
David Karpf, George Washington University
Daniel Kreiss, University of North Carolina
Rasmus Kleis Nielsen, Roskilde Universitet
Richard Pineda, University of Texas at El Paso
Benjamin Schneer, Harvard University

This expert workshop is designed to bring leading thinkers in the field together to discuss what is known and what we still need to know about the role that social media can and should play in national policy-setting. Attendance at this event is very limited. For more information, please contact Jill Walsh at mobicom@bu.edu.

As part of our initiative we will be holding a public event on April 8th. For more information click here.