Rohan Grover (he/they) is Assistant Professor of AI and Media at American University’s School of Communication and a Non-Resident Fellow with the Center for Democracy and Technology. His research explores the politics of technology policy, with a focus on the ethical and political dynamics of data privacy law and AI governance. Currently, he is especially interested in tech policy intermediaries and the political economy of expertise.
His current book project, tentatively titled Manufacturing User Consent: The Social Life of Data Privacy Law in Action, is under contract with the University of California Press. It draws on ethnographic research in the privacy tech industry to demonstrate the unanticipated politics of implementing and translating data privacy law on the ground. The dissertation upon which the book is based was selected as a finalist for the Best Dissertation Award from the Society of Business Ethics.
Grover’s research has been published in journals such as New Media & Society, Political Communication, the International Journal of Communication, Telecommunications Policy, the Journal of Information Policy, The Information Society, and at CHI. His work has been supported by two NSF-funded grants in the areas of research translation and law & science. His research has been recognized with the James R. Cleary Prize for Student Media Law & Policy Research as well as top paper awards from the International Communication Association. He has also received support from major funders across the fields of communication, computing, political science, and media studies. Previously, Grover was a product manager and data strategist at digital media and political advocacy organizations including HuffPost, MoveOn, Planned Parenthood, and Upworthy.
Grover is currently accepting PhD students. Please feel free to reach out if you are interested in pursuing a PhD in Communication.