Applied Social Media Lab

The Lab at Harvard's Berkman Klein Center is home to technologists building a better Internet for the public good. This account is for them, and also for memes.

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

ASML (@thelabBKC) Product Manager Sam Shireman spoke at Nava’s 2025 Open Source Summit in November, explaining why open source is critical for civic infrastructure.

Watch the lightning talk here: https://t.co/qbxSNSDj0E

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Coming up THIS THURSDAY! Be sure to RSVP!

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

FREE EVENT: Author and @nytimes journalist @kashhill discusses AI sycophancy and its impact on psychology and the law with @TheLabBKC Senior Director Meg Marco and BKC Senior Advisor Jordi Weinstock.

All are welcome! RSVP here: https://t.co/IXCQ9KGwha

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

NEXT WEDNESDAY: The Fall Speaker Series continues with Zentropi Co-Founder Dave Willner to discuss moderation policy in the age of AI.

The event will be moderated by @TheLabBKC Senior Director Meg Marco.

RSVP here: https://t.co/onlrYCUCZn

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

ASML is proud to announce the ActivityPub Fuzzer: a program designed to emulate data across the Fediverse, enhancing interoperability between social media platforms.

Learn more: https://t.co/mWA4qiyAVW

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

BKC’s @TheLabBKC is hiring a Software Engineer Graduate Research Assistant for fall 2025!

This part-time opportunity is open to graduate-level students with advanced knowledge in web and app development.

Come help shape the future of social media with us! Learn more + apply: https://t.co/PHeEus7jKa

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Our Spring Synthesizer was a hit! Thanks to everyone who came out to learn more about the projects + prototypes we’ve been working on over the last year.

Couldn’t make it this time? Check out our recap + follow us for future events: https://t.co/vnNo9Hrx9A

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

We need powerful tools to bridge divides and spark real dialogue. That’s why @thelabBKC built Frankly—a platform for structured, video-based conversation—and released it as open source.
A big step for public interest tech at @BKCHarvard.
📣 Press release: https://t.co/gGmZ4hzFaG

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

The TikTok divest-or-ban order was signed by President Biden a year ago today. What have we learned?

RSM @BKCHarvard spoke w/ experts including @AnupamChander + @Naledgesince82 for insight on the order’s impact on expression + governance.

https://t.co/P1ngvTavVv

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Last chance to check out RSM’s Fall Speaker Series! Be sure to RSVP to join us on Zoom.

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

TOMORROW: How do we effectively talk about truth? How are misinformation campaigns being addressed across the globe? Join @farkasjohan at 12:30 pm ET for “Post-Truth, Fake News and Democracy: Mapping the Politics of Falsehood.”
https://t.co/yuCvvNNd3y

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

How does social media use actually affect our well-being? RSM alum Jeff Hall examines and rebuts 10 common myths on the topic.

Read more here: https://t.co/e8xps6JuJy

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Why are so many people flocking to Bluesky?

ASML lab director @jbellack explains the platform’s appeal and the concept of an interoperable web.

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

THIS WEEK: Join us on 11/20 as @niemanfdn Fellow @JessReports + @BKCHarvard/@niemanfdn Fellow @BenReininga discuss how conspiracy theories gain traction online. Moderated by BKC Faculty Director @zittrain!

Learn more + RSVP: https://t.co/TQ4HZs5Vb2

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

1st round of applications for the ASML Fellowship Program are due TODAY! Be sure to submit your proposals for the February 2025 program by EOD.

Not ready to start that soon? Check out the full list of program start dates + app deadlines here: https://t.co/IjySb4U795

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

NEW FROM ASML: Senior Engineer Darius Kazemi wants YOUR thoughts on the Fediverse Schema Observatory, a new tool aimed at helping engineers create interoperable software across Fediverse servers.

Learn more + see how you can get involved: https://t.co/sTKa6QzFIq

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

SAVE THE DATE: Join us on 10/30 for RSM’s Speaker Series featuring Visiting Scholar @InfoEcon, who will present his research on market interventions designed to limit mis/disinfo + increase the likelihood of sharing credible info.

Learn more + RSVP: https://t.co/9UcdoGq9t1

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

TOMORROW: RSM’s Speaker Series continues with @ma_franks in conversation with @zittrain to discuss her new book, Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment.

Learn more + RSVP: https://t.co/cQ8TO0u8QJ

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Develop your ideas for a better social media landscape with us!

First round of applications are due on November 1st.

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

The @TheLabBKC is designed to be flexible -- the program offers 6-week or 4-month timelines for project-based work. The first deadline is coming up Nov 1, and the rest are staggered through July 2025.

Learn more about the program's focus areas + apply: https://t.co/tLF0Y5jRNR

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

SAVE THE DATE!

RSM's Speaker Series @BKCHarvard continues on 10/23 with @ma_franks to discuss her new book, Fearless Speech: Breaking Free from the First Amendment!

RSVP to join us in-person or on Zoom: https://t.co/vCwivqHzDe

[Applied Social Media Lab @TheLabBKC]

Have an idea to improve social media? Apply for the ASML Fellowship Program!

Now accepting apps from mid-to-senior-career tech professionals to drive their own public interest social media projects.

Learn more + apply: https://t.co/IjySb4U795

[Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society @BKCHarvard]

TODAY: @joewalther and @4digitaldignity on the important role of social process in online hate -- understanding the origin and evolution of hate campaigns. Join in person or online at 12:30 pm ET

https://t.co/aUFbbyyRri