Oxford Social Media Observatory
@oxsocmedobs.bsky.social
We use computational methods + big data to investigate the role of social platforms + technology in politics, in partnership with key stakeholders + policymakers. Hosted @politicsoxford.bsky.social + @oii.ox.ac.uk.
📣 Our first team announcement is for our doctoral researchers, Georgia Dagher and Sophia Knight!
🤝 Let's meet them!
🤝 Let's meet them!
September 22, 2026 at 12:47 PM
📣 Our first team announcement is for our doctoral researchers, Georgia Dagher and Sophia Knight!
🤝 Let's meet them!
🤝 Let's meet them!
🏡 The Observatory has a new home!
🔭 In early Sep 2026, we moved to @politicsoxford.bsky.social + @oii.ox.ac.uk
🛤️ With this in mind, we've changed our name to the Oxford Social Media Observatory (OSMO)
🔭 In early Sep 2026, we moved to @politicsoxford.bsky.social + @oii.ox.ac.uk
🛤️ With this in mind, we've changed our name to the Oxford Social Media Observatory (OSMO)
September 21, 2026 at 10:38 AM
🏡 The Observatory has a new home!
🔭 In early Sep 2026, we moved to @politicsoxford.bsky.social + @oii.ox.ac.uk
🛤️ With this in mind, we've changed our name to the Oxford Social Media Observatory (OSMO)
🔭 In early Sep 2026, we moved to @politicsoxford.bsky.social + @oii.ox.ac.uk
🛤️ With this in mind, we've changed our name to the Oxford Social Media Observatory (OSMO)
💡 Yesterday, the Social Platforms Data Access Taskforce, part of @ukri.org funded @sdruk.bsky.social released their final report for improving access to social media data to research online harms
☺️ We're really happy to have contributed our insights to this report!
☺️ We're really happy to have contributed our insights to this report!
September 10, 2026 at 8:44 AM
💡 Yesterday, the Social Platforms Data Access Taskforce, part of @ukri.org funded @sdruk.bsky.social released their final report for improving access to social media data to research online harms
☺️ We're really happy to have contributed our insights to this report!
☺️ We're really happy to have contributed our insights to this report!
🗓️ What a year!
🌞 As we get into summer, we'd like to take the time to look at some of the highlights since our launch in December 2025!
🙌 A huge thank you to all of our collaborators, we're looking forward to what's next ☺️
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🌞 As we get into summer, we'd like to take the time to look at some of the highlights since our launch in December 2025!
🙌 A huge thank you to all of our collaborators, we're looking forward to what's next ☺️
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August 20, 2026 at 9:27 AM
🗓️ What a year!
🌞 As we get into summer, we'd like to take the time to look at some of the highlights since our launch in December 2025!
🙌 A huge thank you to all of our collaborators, we're looking forward to what's next ☺️
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🌞 As we get into summer, we'd like to take the time to look at some of the highlights since our launch in December 2025!
🙌 A huge thank you to all of our collaborators, we're looking forward to what's next ☺️
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🗓️ This week, we will be presenting several papers with our collaborators at the #EPSSBelfast conference.
💬 Come along to see the presentations and discuss, we’re eager to hear people’s feedback!
⬇️ Here's what's coming up!
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💬 Come along to see the presentations and discuss, we’re eager to hear people’s feedback!
⬇️ Here's what's coming up!
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June 18, 2026 at 2:37 PM
🗓️ This week, we will be presenting several papers with our collaborators at the #EPSSBelfast conference.
💬 Come along to see the presentations and discuss, we’re eager to hear people’s feedback!
⬇️ Here's what's coming up!
🧵[1/7]
💬 Come along to see the presentations and discuss, we’re eager to hear people’s feedback!
⬇️ Here's what's coming up!
🧵[1/7]
🔬📚 We are recruiting 2x full-time 2-year postdoctoral researchers!
🚨 Deadline: June 23rd 🚨
🔗 ⬇️ For more details, see the linked posts
🚨 Deadline: June 23rd 🚨
🔗 ⬇️ For more details, see the linked posts
🚨 I'm recruiting 2 postdoctoral researchers for the @ldnsocmedobs.bsky.social, to be based at the University of Oxford (@ox.ac.uk). These are both full-time positions for 2 years. Deadline for applications: June 23. Expected start date: September 2026. 🔁 Please share and help me spread the word! 🚀
May 26, 2026 at 2:19 PM
🔬📚 We are recruiting 2x full-time 2-year postdoctoral researchers!
🚨 Deadline: June 23rd 🚨
🔗 ⬇️ For more details, see the linked posts
🚨 Deadline: June 23rd 🚨
🔗 ⬇️ For more details, see the linked posts
🥳 We are excited to announce Seyi Akiwowo as our inaugural Policy Fellow!
🔬 A digital governance leader & founder of Glitch, of which she led until 2025, Seyi will work with us on social media governance & democracy, as governments consider measures like social media bans for young people.
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🔬 A digital governance leader & founder of Glitch, of which she led until 2025, Seyi will work with us on social media governance & democracy, as governments consider measures like social media bans for young people.
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April 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
🥳 We are excited to announce Seyi Akiwowo as our inaugural Policy Fellow!
🔬 A digital governance leader & founder of Glitch, of which she led until 2025, Seyi will work with us on social media governance & democracy, as governments consider measures like social media bans for young people.
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🔬 A digital governance leader & founder of Glitch, of which she led until 2025, Seyi will work with us on social media governance & democracy, as governments consider measures like social media bans for young people.
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Next up Georgia Dagher is presenting work with colleagues from the London Social Media Observatory @ldnsocmedobs.bsky.social on how people identify and evaluate misinformation. Looking at the influence of ideology on how people evaluate claims, whether true or false.
March 30, 2026 at 11:20 AM
❓ Want to know more about our TikTok, Politics, and Elections briefing paper co-created with @wfd.org ?
🗞️ Read our official press release on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 For any enquiries, send us an email at [email protected] !
🗞️ Read our official press release on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 For any enquiries, send us an email at [email protected] !
New briefing paper outlines concerns around TikTok moderation policies political influence, and election integrity
New briefing paper produced by the London Social Media Observatory (LSMO) at Royal Holloway and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) details emerging risks to democratic participation on TikTok.
www.royalholloway.ac.uk
February 6, 2026 at 9:18 AM
❓ Want to know more about our TikTok, Politics, and Elections briefing paper co-created with @wfd.org ?
🗞️ Read our official press release on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 For any enquiries, send us an email at [email protected] !
🗞️ Read our official press release on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 For any enquiries, send us an email at [email protected] !
Posts have been going viral on social media accusing TikTok's new owners of suppressing content, but eight academics examined the issue and found no evidence to support the claims. n.pr/3MhKyjQ
Researchers say no evidence of TikTok censorship, but they remain wary
Posts have been going viral on social media accusing TikTok's new owners of suppressing content, but eight academics examined the issue and found no evidence to support the claims.
n.pr
February 5, 2026 at 3:36 PM
🌐 📲 With international collaborators, the Observatory’s director @andreucasas.bsky.social revisited recent “TikTok censorship” claims after the TikTok USDS takeover
➡️ Detailed information about the analysis available: goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
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➡️ Detailed information about the analysis available: goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
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Was there censorship on TikTok after the U.S. takeover?
A TikTok outage more likely explains recent anomalies – there’s no evidence of larger platform changes so far.
goodauthority.org
February 4, 2026 at 7:24 PM
🌐 📲 With international collaborators, the Observatory’s director @andreucasas.bsky.social revisited recent “TikTok censorship” claims after the TikTok USDS takeover
➡️ Detailed information about the analysis available: goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
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➡️ Detailed information about the analysis available: goodauthority.org/news/was-the...
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📣🚨 New Briefing Paper Alert !
📃 We are excited to announce the launch of our briefing paper on TikTok, Politics and Elections, co-produced with @wfd.org
➡️ www.wfd.org/tiktok-polit...
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📃 We are excited to announce the launch of our briefing paper on TikTok, Politics and Elections, co-produced with @wfd.org
➡️ www.wfd.org/tiktok-polit...
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TikTok, politics and power: Implications for democracy
www.wfd.org
February 4, 2026 at 11:20 AM
📣🚨 New Briefing Paper Alert !
📃 We are excited to announce the launch of our briefing paper on TikTok, Politics and Elections, co-produced with @wfd.org
➡️ www.wfd.org/tiktok-polit...
🧵[1/4]
📃 We are excited to announce the launch of our briefing paper on TikTok, Politics and Elections, co-produced with @wfd.org
➡️ www.wfd.org/tiktok-polit...
🧵[1/4]
💡It was great to engage with fellow researchers & present our work on content moderation
📃Our research uses state-of-the-art VLMs to examine the moderation of content from 11k+ YouTube channels & their 6mil+ videos on US politics during the 2024 Pres Election
🙌Thank you @oii.ox.ac.uk for hosting!
📃Our research uses state-of-the-art VLMs to examine the moderation of content from 11k+ YouTube channels & their 6mil+ videos on US politics during the 2024 Pres Election
🙌Thank you @oii.ox.ac.uk for hosting!
50 researchers from across Europe and North America recently came to University of Oxford for a two-day workshop at St Anne's College, University of Oxford, exploring the future of social media research.
November 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
💡It was great to engage with fellow researchers & present our work on content moderation
📃Our research uses state-of-the-art VLMs to examine the moderation of content from 11k+ YouTube channels & their 6mil+ videos on US politics during the 2024 Pres Election
🙌Thank you @oii.ox.ac.uk for hosting!
📃Our research uses state-of-the-art VLMs to examine the moderation of content from 11k+ YouTube channels & their 6mil+ videos on US politics during the 2024 Pres Election
🙌Thank you @oii.ox.ac.uk for hosting!
🔭🚨 One more week to apply to the fully funded (3.5 years) PhD position at the Observatory!
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
www.royalholloway.ac.uk
October 22, 2025 at 10:01 AM
🔭🚨 One more week to apply to the fully funded (3.5 years) PhD position at the Observatory!
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
💻 Deadline: 2nd November
ℹ️ For more information, see the link below!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
🔭 Want to hear more about the Observatory's trip to Berlin?
💻 Read our article detailing our time at @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social's Data Access Days, which furthered our commitment to seek better access to platform data for academic research!
➡️ london-social-media-observatory.org/dsa40_berlin/
💻 Read our article detailing our time at @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social's Data Access Days, which furthered our commitment to seek better access to platform data for academic research!
➡️ london-social-media-observatory.org/dsa40_berlin/
October 15, 2025 at 6:18 AM
🔭 Want to hear more about the Observatory's trip to Berlin?
💻 Read our article detailing our time at @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social's Data Access Days, which furthered our commitment to seek better access to platform data for academic research!
➡️ london-social-media-observatory.org/dsa40_berlin/
💻 Read our article detailing our time at @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social's Data Access Days, which furthered our commitment to seek better access to platform data for academic research!
➡️ london-social-media-observatory.org/dsa40_berlin/
🎉 We're really excited to be collaborating with our excellent partners on this, as part of WP3 of the What-If Horizon project, hosted at the Observatory.
🎯 Understanding what interventions affect citizen misinformation effects is crucial to build evidence based policy in the area!
More insights 🔜
🎯 Understanding what interventions affect citizen misinformation effects is crucial to build evidence based policy in the area!
More insights 🔜
Learn more about this partnership here: what-if-horizon.eu/2025/09/30/s...
Strategic Partnership to Advance Misinformation Research Through Real-World Collaboration
WHAT-IF colleagues from Work Packages 3 and 5—Andreu Casas (UK) and Sílvia Majó-Vázquez (Spain)—have established a strategic partnership with two leading Spanish organizations at the forefront of c…
what-if-horizon.eu
October 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
🎉 We're really excited to be collaborating with our excellent partners on this, as part of WP3 of the What-If Horizon project, hosted at the Observatory.
🎯 Understanding what interventions affect citizen misinformation effects is crucial to build evidence based policy in the area!
More insights 🔜
🎯 Understanding what interventions affect citizen misinformation effects is crucial to build evidence based policy in the area!
More insights 🔜
🔬📚 Come do your PhD with us at the Observatory!
🔗 For more details, see the quoted thread!
🔗 For more details, see the quoted thread!
🚨Hiring a fully funded (3.5 years) PhD for the @ldnsocmedobs.bsky.social to research social media and politics. Candidates should have quantitative/computational skills and/or be interested in content curation/moderation. UK home candidates only unfortunately. www.royalholloway.ac.uk/media/hquftp...
www.royalholloway.ac.uk
September 29, 2025 at 5:47 PM
🔬📚 Come do your PhD with us at the Observatory!
🔗 For more details, see the quoted thread!
🔗 For more details, see the quoted thread!
🇩🇪 Hello from Berlin!
📍This week, LSMO is at the #DSA40 Workshop, thanks @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social for the invitation!
🤝 We’re here to connect with other academics to learn more about how to access platform data for research via DSA & to advocate for better data access more generally
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📍This week, LSMO is at the #DSA40 Workshop, thanks @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social for the invitation!
🤝 We’re here to connect with other academics to learn more about how to access platform data for research via DSA & to advocate for better data access more generally
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September 26, 2025 at 9:39 AM
🇩🇪 Hello from Berlin!
📍This week, LSMO is at the #DSA40 Workshop, thanks @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social for the invitation!
🤝 We’re here to connect with other academics to learn more about how to access platform data for research via DSA & to advocate for better data access more generally
🧵[1/3]
📍This week, LSMO is at the #DSA40 Workshop, thanks @dsa40collaboratory.bsky.social for the invitation!
🤝 We’re here to connect with other academics to learn more about how to access platform data for research via DSA & to advocate for better data access more generally
🧵[1/3]
💪 Did you know about @royalholloway.bsky.social's history of supporting social justice, especially women's suffrage? We did!
🖌️ When it came to designing our logo, we chose colours that honoured these alumnae, while also maintaining a close connection to the current identity of the college
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🖌️ When it came to designing our logo, we chose colours that honoured these alumnae, while also maintaining a close connection to the current identity of the college
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September 19, 2025 at 2:21 PM
💪 Did you know about @royalholloway.bsky.social's history of supporting social justice, especially women's suffrage? We did!
🖌️ When it came to designing our logo, we chose colours that honoured these alumnae, while also maintaining a close connection to the current identity of the college
🧵 [1/2]
🖌️ When it came to designing our logo, we chose colours that honoured these alumnae, while also maintaining a close connection to the current identity of the college
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While we’re on the subject of press releases, here is the official announcement from @ukri.org 🎉
Congratulations to all the new fellows! 👏
Congratulations to all the new fellows! 👏
Announcing our latest round of successful UKRI Future Leaders Fellows!
Our flagship fellowship scheme will support 77 talented early-career researchers to lead ambitious research and develop their careers.
Congratulations to our new fellows👏
More: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an...
Our flagship fellowship scheme will support 77 talented early-career researchers to lead ambitious research and develop their careers.
Congratulations to our new fellows👏
More: www.ukri.org/news/ukri-an...
UKRI announces winners of £120 million Future Leaders Fellowships
Research into the causes of lung cancer and Alzheimer’s disease are among 77 projects to be funded by UKRI’s Future Leaders Fellowships.
www.ukri.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:45 PM
While we’re on the subject of press releases, here is the official announcement from @ukri.org 🎉
Congratulations to all the new fellows! 👏
Congratulations to all the new fellows! 👏
👋 Hello again!
🗞️ We are happy to share an official press release announcing our launch on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating, send us a message!
🔭 We’re excited to get started soon! ☺️
🗞️ We are happy to share an official press release announcing our launch on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating, send us a message!
🔭 We’re excited to get started soon! ☺️
Dr Andreu Casas awarded UKRI fellowship to launch London Social Media Observatory
Royal Holloway is proud to announce that Dr Andreu Casas, from the Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy has been awarded a prestigious UKRI Future Leaders Fellowship.
www.royalholloway.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 7:17 AM
👋 Hello again!
🗞️ We are happy to share an official press release announcing our launch on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating, send us a message!
🔭 We’re excited to get started soon! ☺️
🗞️ We are happy to share an official press release announcing our launch on the @royalholloway.bsky.social website!
➡️ www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/new...
📩 If you have any questions or are interested in collaborating, send us a message!
🔭 We’re excited to get started soon! ☺️
📣 We’re launching the London Social Media Observatory! 🎉
➡️ We are a new multidisciplinary research centre, directed by @andreucasas.bsky.social & funded by the @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship
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➡️ We are a new multidisciplinary research centre, directed by @andreucasas.bsky.social & funded by the @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship
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September 16, 2025 at 8:37 AM
📣 We’re launching the London Social Media Observatory! 🎉
➡️ We are a new multidisciplinary research centre, directed by @andreucasas.bsky.social & funded by the @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship
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➡️ We are a new multidisciplinary research centre, directed by @andreucasas.bsky.social & funded by the @ukri.org Future Leaders Fellowship
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