Advocating with Evidence: Lessons for Tech Researchers in Civil Society
November 13, 2025, 10-11am ET online
As technology and the tech industry evolve, civil society is struggling to address the unintended consequences of change, including tools that can be used to erode democracy, amplify bias, and accelerate hateful ideologies. Timely, accessible findings are necessary to inform policy and advocacy, but it can be challenging to produce research that is simultaneously rigorous and high-impact.
This panel brings together research experts and practitioners who bridge policy and academia to advance civil rights and challenge tech injustice. Drawing on their experience as research leaders, the panelists will discuss how to conduct effective research on the harms of digital technologies and for developing solutions that center marginalized and vulnerable communities.
The discussion will explore what research means in different civil society organizations, especially those using data-driven methods, and how researchers can navigate organizational priorities, fundraising pressures, media cycles, and collaborating with academia, government, and industry. Topics will include making research public and accessible, collaborating with policy experts, building cases with non-research stakeholders, maintaining independence and ethical standards, and aligning research with policy goals. The panel is hosted by the Center for Democracy & Technology, the American Civil Liberties Union, and Data & Society.
Speakers:
- Alice Marwick, Director of Research at Data & Society
- Marissa Gerchick, Data Science Manager and Algorithmic Justice Specialist at the American Civil Liberties Union
- Dhanaraj Thakur, Research Director, Center for Democracy & Technology
Moderator – Jordan Kraemer, Research Affiliate, Data & Society
Accessibility: If you have questions, concerns, or access needs, please contact events@cdt.org in advance of the event.