The Critical Internet Studies Institute (CISI) turns emerging technology intelligence into action.
We partner to build resilience beyond industry.
CISI pairs research and engagement experts to mobilize knowledge, combat misinformation-at-scale, and ensure community privacy & safety.
Dr. Joan Donovan
Dr. Chris Gilliard
Research:
Dr. Joan Donovan:
Networked Incitement
Networked incitement is the use of social media to organize political violence through disinformation and harassment. CISI tracks these threats and helps institutions and vulnerable groups build resilience to them through knowledge, analysis, and tools.
Dr. Chris Gilliard: Luxury Surveillance Lab
The Luxury Surveillance Lab studies how digital consumer tracking devices, while largely consensual, contribute to broader surveillance systems and impact bodily autonomy while pushing companies to influence public policy.
Programs:
Journalists and Investigators:
Investigations Workshop
Journalists, Researchers, and Civil Society:
Networked Incitement
Librarians:
Knowledge Needs Our Work (KNOW)
Technologists as Builders and Advocates:
Public Interest Internet
In the Press:
CISI staff provide bold commentary in the public debate about knowledge and emerging technology.
Explore CISI press
The Control Shift Podcast:
Debuting in 2026 with co-host Dr. Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò, our podcast elevates practitioners in truth-telling.
Season 1
The future of journalism is unwritten
The first season of Control Shift, The Future of Journalism is Unwritten, explores how participatory media is reshaping journalism, making everyone a “journal-ish.” It examines four key futures for journalism—unionization, nonprofit news, indie media, and the democratization of journalistic practices—to build new infrastructures for real TALK (Timely Accurate Local Knowledge).