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cip.uw.edu
Center for an Informed Public
@cip.uw.edu
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A multidisciplinary research center at the University of Washington in Seattle with a mission to resist strategic misinformation, promote an informed society, and strengthen democratic discourse.

Website: cip.uw.edu
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cip.uw.edu
We're currently accepting applications to hire up to two @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholars to join our team in Seattle. The priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.

For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
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December 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
katestarbird.bsky.social
Since 2020, our team has iterated on a model for “rapid research” to help surface, analyze, & resolve rumors about election administration. This work demonstrates an innovative role for researchers to support public sensemaking during rapidly unfolding events.

uw.pressbooks.pub/rapidresearc...
Being Sensemakers: A Framework for University-Based Rapid Research of Elections, Crisis Events, and Beyond – Simple Book Publishing
A framework for university-based rapid research of elections, crisis events, and beyond
uw.pressbooks.pub
December 16, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
alextheefstra.bsky.social
Recently accepted at ICWSM: arxiv.org/abs/2512.06129 (w/ @kayladuskin.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, and @emmaspiro.bsky.social)

We look at how algorithmic feeds affect Twitter account visibility. More visible accounts:

-Are agitators
-Get attention from Elon Musk
-Are not legacy verified
Rabble-Rousers in the New King's Court: Algorithmic Effects on Account Visibility in Pre-X Twitter
Algorithmic effects on social media platforms have come under recent scrutiny, with several works reporting that right-leaning accounts tend to receive more exposure. In this paper, we expand upon thi...
arxiv.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:27 PM
cip.uw.edu
🧵A new tool developed by researchers, including @cip.uw.edu faculty member @msaveski.bsky.social, shows it is possible to reduce partisan rancor in an X feed — without removing political posts and without the direct cooperation of the platform. (1/3) www.washington.edu/news/2025/12...
Social media research tool can reduce polarization — it could also lead to more user control over algorithms
A web-based method was shown to mitigate political polarization on X by nudging antidemocratic and extremely negative partisan posts lower in a user’s feed. The tool, which is independent of the...
www.washington.edu
December 9, 2025 at 7:23 PM
cip.uw.edu
“Our information systems reward the production of mystery and speculation,” @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholar @mertcanbayar.bsky.social recently wrote in a blog post about online discourse around the 3I/ATLAS interstellar comet.

Read more in @geekwire.com: www.geekwire.com/2025/alien-i...
The buzz over an ‘alien’ interstellar comet shows how way-out speculation goes viral
Is an interstellar comet actually an alien spaceship? A researcher traces how influencers spread such speculation via social media.
www.geekwire.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:02 AM
cip.uw.edu
We're currently seeking nomination materials for the @cip.uw.edu Award for Impact & Excellence. The submission deadline is January 15, 2026.

Complete information: www.cip.uw.edu/cip-award-im...
The UW Center for an Informed Public's logo on a graphic that reads "CIP Award for Impact & Excellence," with a night-time view of UW's Red Square with the Broken Obelisk sculpture illuminated.
December 8, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
mertcanbayar.bsky.social
3I/ATLAS is only the third confirmed interstellar object we’ve seen. Astronomers see an interesting but natural comet. Online, it quickly became an “alien mothership” with a secret mission. I wrote about how that happened and what it tells us about us and our info systems.
Alien of the gaps: How 3I/ATLAS was turned into a spaceship online
When we reach the frontier of current knowledge, we’re tempted to insert a higher power into the space where answers aren’t yet satisfying for all.
www.cip.uw.edu
December 5, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
rcalo.bsky.social
Giving a talk in #Seattle at Ada’s Technical Books Monday, December 8. Please join & share? Thanks! My book is on backorder 💅 but Ada’s has copies in stock. 😉
December 4, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
ischool.uw.edu
In the latest from @cip.uw.edu, Mert Can Bayar @mertcanbayar.bsky.social analyzes how knowledge gaps can lead to the spread of speculative theories, such as those shared by a Harvard astrophysicist that the comet known as 3l/ATLAS might be an alien "mothership." (1/3)

www.cip.uw.edu/2025/12/03/3...
Alien of the gaps: How 3I/ATLAS was turned into a spaceship online
When we reach the frontier of current knowledge, we’re tempted to insert a higher power into the space where answers aren’t yet satisfying for all.
www.cip.uw.edu
December 5, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
katestarbird.bsky.social
UW CIP postdoc @mertcanbayar.bsky.social explains how a high-profile scientist's statements about the 3l/ATLAS comet harnessed uncertainty and attention dynamics, and spawned widespread speculation about an alien visitor, an "alien of the gaps" in human knowledge: www.cip.uw.edu/2025/12/03/3...
Alien of the gaps: How 3I/ATLAS was turned into a spaceship online
When we reach the frontier of current knowledge, we’re tempted to insert a higher power into the space where answers aren’t yet satisfying for all.
www.cip.uw.edu
December 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
cip.uw.edu
We recently co-hosted a webinar, "Understanding and Navigating Political Divides," featuring research presentations from CIP postdoctoral scholar @alextheefstra.bsky.social and CIP research scientist @maddyjalbert.bsky.social.

Watch the webinar: youtu.be/jbpGgVHIivE?...
A webinar promotion, with a purple background, featuring headshots of Alexandros Efstratiou (CIP Postdoctoral Scholar) and Madeline Jalbert (CIP Research Scientist).
November 25, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
katestarbird.bsky.social
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
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November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
ischool.uw.edu
After taking @jevinwest.bsky.social and @carlbergstrom.com's online course and learning with the @cip.uw.edu, Sedro-Woolley teacher Linsey Kitchens incorporated more AI literacy in her classroom. Students were surprised that an AI program provided incorrect information.
salish-current.org The Salish Current @salish-current.org · Nov 20
Sedro-Woolley High School English teacher Linsey Kitchens instructs students during a recent lesson on artificial intelligence. The lesson is one of several being implemented in the school’s English classes this semester to foster AI-based literacy.

salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sedro-Woolley English teachers bring AI literacy into the classroom
Several English classes at Sedro-Woolley High School are implementing lesson plans designed by Linsey Kitchens to help students understand the limitations of artificial intelligence programs such as C...
salish-current.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
cip.uw.edu
🧵We're seeking nominations for the CIP Award for Impact & Excellence, which recognizes outstanding contributions, achievements or bodies of work that advance civic health and promote an informed society by helping individuals, communities and institutions navigate complex information challenges.
A graphic reading "CIP Award for Impact & Excellence" set on an evening photo of UW Red Square with the broken obelisk sculpture and Kane Hall illuminated.
November 21, 2025 at 4:28 PM
cip.uw.edu
Our team at the @cip.uw.edu is currently seeking applications for up to two postdoctoral scholar positions. Applications received prior to January 15, 2026 will be given priority. Learn more about the positions, salary range, qualifications and application process: apply.interfolio.com/177901
A view of Mount Rainier from the University of Washington campus in Seattle with bright blue skies.
November 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
ischool.uw.edu
People are generally more prone to believing misinformation when they see it in videos, @jevinwest.bsky.social told @atmosmag.bsky.social. “Even if you almost know they’re fake, it’s hard to dislodge yourself from them not being real,” the @cip.uw.edu co-founder says. atmos.earth/science-and-...
AI-Generated Animals Are Distancing Us From Nature | Atmos
Cuddly polar bears and hyperrealistic chimeras may seem harmless on social media, but experts worry AI animal content can be harmful.
atmos.earth
November 18, 2025 at 11:32 PM
cip.uw.edu
Watch a recording of @cip.uw.edu faculty member @carlbergstrom.com speaking at a recent @salish-current.org Knowledge Festival event in Bellingham. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
carlbergstrom.com Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · Nov 16
A month or so back I gave a public talk at the @salish-current.org's Voices of the Northwest knowledge festival, about our new course on how to live, learn, and thrive and a ChatGPT world. The evening was delightful; we had a great conversation with a marvelous audience.

Now you can watch it here.
Carl Bergstrom | Knowledge Festival | Sept. 17th, 2025
YouTube video by Salish Current
www.youtube.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:20 PM
cip.uw.edu
Slate: Scholars, including @cip.uw.edu graduate research assistant and @hcde.uw.edu PhD candidate @zarine.net, say "recent attacks on Wikipedia differ from earlier critiques" of the website, which had focused on Wikipedia's content.

Read more: slate.com/technology/2...
A Wikipedia Conference Took a Dark Turn. Unfortunately, It’s Not a Total Surprise.
An armed man at a gathering of the website’s volunteers is just the latest reminder: Editing the internet’s encyclopedia has never been riskier.
slate.com
October 30, 2025 at 6:25 PM
cip.uw.edu
Check out this @techpolicypress.bsky.social podcast interview with @cip.uw.edu co-founder @rcalo.bsky.social, a professor at @uwlaw.bsky.social and @ischool.uw.edu ⤵️⤵️⤵️
justinhendrix.bsky.social Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · Oct 26
Podcast! In his new book, Law and Technology: A Methodical Approach, Ryan Calo argues that if the purpose of technology is to expand human capabilities and affordances, the purpose of law is to establish the expectations, incentives, and boundaries that guide that expansion toward human flourishing.
Ryan Calo Wants to Change the Relationship Between Law and Technology | TechPolicy.Press
Calo is the author of Law and Technology: A Methodical Approach, published by Oxford University Press.
techpolicy.press
October 27, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
katestarbird.bsky.social
Our team presented five papers at the CSCW (computer supported cooperative work and social computing) conference this week in Bergen, Norway. (CSCW is an ACM conference and a “home conference” for my team.) I’m going to share a few highlights in a thread here.
October 22, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
schafer.bsky.social
Excited to be in Bergen for CSCW 2025! This (Monday) afternoon I’ll be presenting a study I led with a fantastic team of undergraduate and Masters students, supervised by @katestarbird.bsky.social, on sudden attention, influencers, and TikTok - more details in 🧵 1/
'I Blow Up': Understanding TikTok Users' Reactions to Sudden Social Media Attention | Proceedings of the ACM on Human-Computer Interaction
Social media platforms are known to facilitate sudden bursts of attention on individual pieces of content and their creators — dynamics often referred to as ''going viral''. However, questions remain ...
dl.acm.org
October 20, 2025 at 9:18 AM
cip.uw.edu
Annie Zhang, who studies effective strategies in science communication, public perceptions of science and how scientists can better inform the communication of their research and expertise, has started work as a new @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholar.

Learn more:
www.cip.uw.edu/2025/10/15/a...
Annie Zhang joins Center for an Informed Public as postdoctoral scholar
Annie Zhang, who studies effective strategies in science communication, public perceptions of science and how scientists can better inform the communication of their research and expertise, has sta…
www.cip.uw.edu
October 16, 2025 at 7:44 PM
cip.uw.edu
Check out this recent @seattletimes.com op-ed by @cip.uw.edu research manager @danielletomson.bsky.social ⤵️⤵️⤵️
danielletomson.bsky.social Dr. D @danielletomson.bsky.social · Oct 12
In today’s @seattletimes.com, I share my concept of the Authenticity Gap, when our stories and experiences don’t align. Now more than ever, we need a new generation of sensemakers willing to explain things as they are, while roadmapping where we would like to go.
www.seattletimes.com/opinion/in-t...
In today's world, we need real stories, not just facts | Op-Ed
Human beings want their explanations of the world to feel real. Yet that desire for authenticity, for something that feels true, can be easily exploited.
www.seattletimes.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
ischool.uw.edu
Postdoc spotlight: Meet Dr. Alexandros Efstratiou of the @cip.uw.edu! He is a computational social scientist studying social media polarization, echo chambers, intergroup interactions and depolarization interventions, among other topics. @alextheefstra.bsky.social
www.cip.uw.edu/2025/02/06/a...
Dr. Alexandros Efstratiou wearing a black turtleneck sweater. A graphic with white text on a purple background. Text reads, "Research on social media: Dr. Efstratiou’s work focuses on social polarization on social media, looking at phenomena like echo chambers and uncivil interactions between people. He is interested specifically in polarization in culture: Why is cycling a “liberal” sport and fishing a “conservative” hobby? How can political attitudes affect the TV shows we watch and music we listen to? In his research, Dr. Efstratiou is developing methods to find where these cultural differences exist and what underlying identities they represent." An additional graphic with white text on a purple background. Text reads, "What impact do you hope your research will have? 'My aim with this work is to uncover new dimensions of identities that people tend to polarize around, like politics. If we can find underlying symbols or sub-cultures that offer a greater surface area to find common ground, then we may be better placed to address deepening societal divides. My hope is that this research will help people focus on what they have in common, rather than what they don’t.' -Dr. Alexandros Efstratiou, Postdoctoral Scholar."
October 9, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
katestarbird.bsky.social
Recently published work from colleagues Morgan Wack (postdoc at University of Zurich) & Joey Schafer (UW PhD candidate) showing how state election policies that delayed vote counting fueled rumoring and conspiracy theorizing around the 2020 election: blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
The 2020 US election shows how state election policies can fuel conspiracy theories about voting | USAPP
States that allowed pre-Election Day processing saw a reduction of over a third in expected misinformation compared to states with restrictive rules.
blogs.lse.ac.uk
October 7, 2025 at 8:25 PM