The University of Iowa’s Center for Social Science Innovation (CSSI) has selected Brian Ekdale, professor of journalism and mass communication in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, as its next CSSI Faculty Research Fellow.  

Ekdale’s project, “Outliers and Amplifiers: Understanding How People and Platforms Drive Political Polarization,” will examine how a small set of highly active users and platform technologies elevate fringe content into broader visibility. He plans to blend several case studies with original survey data to better understand the motivations and behaviors of these “superusers.”  

“Brian’s research is innovative, rigorous, and timely,” said Mark Berg, director of CSSI. “We’re thrilled to support work that addresses a complex issue of significant public interest.”  

Ekdale, a CSSI researcher affiliate, has been an active member of the CSSI community and has worked closely with CSSI staff to support his broader research agenda.  

As a fellow, he will work in residence at CSSI, and will receive dedicated staff support and a $1,000 credit for CSSI research services to accelerate his work. In addition, he will be released from teaching one course in his home department. 

“I’m honored to receive this fellowship,” said Ekdale. “I am grateful to CSSI for providing me with dedicated time and space to study how people and technologies shape public life.”