The Applied Social Media Lab (ASML) is an initiative of Harvard University’s Berkman Klein Center for Internet and Society. Our mission is to build social media solutions that center the public interest and create a better internet. We have assembled a team of industry-trained technologists to work with experts from academia and civil society to build new software, protocols, and designs to foster healthier human connections. Teams of industry-trained engineers, designers, and product managers work on key challenges and opportunities such as transparency and governance, decentralized networks, online safety, and healthy discourse.
We are seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Policy Research Assistant to support the Lab’s work at the intersection of technology, policy, and society. This role will focus on drafting policy briefs, research documents, and strategic memos that translate complex findings into actionable insights for diverse stakeholders including policymakers, civil society organizations, technologists, and the public. Specifically, we are looking for a research assistant interested in building an independent in-depth research project exploring terms & conditions and privacy policies of social media companies. The Policy RA will work with a longitudinal archive of terms of service and privacy policies from 6,000 social media company documents spanning the past 20+ years. They will analyze how these policies evolved in response to major legal, regulatory, or societal events, and identify broader trends in industry practices, language, and user rights over time.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other ASML teams, identifying technical synergies and proposing innovative ideas that could shape the future of social media. Staying connected with the broader BKC community, you’ll participate in workshops and seminars to stay updated on the latest trends and developments in social media and public-interest technology.
Key Responsibilities:
- Build an independent research project focused on a longitudinal archive of terms of service and privacy policies from 6,000 social media company documents spanning the past 20+ years
- Contribute to the research design, data gathering, and qualitative/quantitative analysis for this project, and others as they might arise
- Draft clear, well-researched policy briefs, memos, and reports on social media–related issues
- Conduct literature reviews and synthesize academic, industry, and policy sources
- Translate technical insights from engineering and product teams into accessible policy language
- Support comparative analysis of governance models, regulatory frameworks, and policy proposals
- Contribute to research design, data gathering, and qualitative/quantitative analysis as needed
Qualifications:
- Graduate-level or senior undergraduate student or recent graduate in public policy, law, political science, communications, or a related field
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills with proven ability to draft professional policy documents
- Familiarity with digital governance, platform regulation, or social media research
- Ability to work independently, manage deadlines, and collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate complex ideas into clear narratives
Preferred Skills:
- Prior experience in policy research, advocacy, or think tank settings
- Knowledge of internet governance, trust and safety, online speech, or platform accountability
- Comfort working with technical teams and translating between technical and policy perspectives
This is a paid, part-time (14-20 hours per week) opportunity for Fall 2025 semester, with opportunities to renew for Spring 2026 semester.