The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society is a hub for exploring the internet's impact on society. Founded in 1997, it's a research center at Harvard University that brings together scholars, policymakers, and industry leaders to study and shape the internet's role in our lives.
The center's mission is to understand the internet's effects on politics, culture, and society. It's a collaborative effort, with researchers and experts from various fields working together to identify solutions to the internet's challenges.
One of the center's key initiatives is the Internet & Society Year in Review, which provides an annual snapshot of the internet's trends and developments. This report highlights the center's research and analysis, making it a valuable resource for anyone interested in the internet's impact.
The Berkman Klein Center's work is guided by a commitment to interdisciplinary research and collaboration.
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[History, Mission]
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society has a rich history that dates back to 1994, when a seminar was held on social and technological issues by the early internet. This seminar was led by Arthur Miller, David Marglin, and Tom Smuts.
The center was initially formed in 1998 after a $5.4 million donation from the Berkman family. The Berkman family's donation was a significant milestone in the center's development.
The center's name was changed to Berkman Klein Center in 2016, after receiving a gift of $15 million from Michelle Klein. This name change reflects the center's growth and expansion over the years.
The Berkman Klein Center was founded in 1996 as the "Center on Law and Technology" by Jonathan Zittrain and Professor Charles Nesson. This founding marked the beginning of the center's mission to understand the intersection of technology and society.
The center has grown from a small project within Harvard Law School to a major interdisciplinary center at Harvard University. Today, the Berkman Klein Center is one of the largest research centers in the United States.
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Research and Studies
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society is a hub for research and innovation, and one of its notable initiatives is the Research Sprint program. This program brings together early-career academics and practitioners to tackle pressing questions in tech ethics and policy.
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The Research Sprint model is a highly intensive 4 to 9 week period of seminars and workshops led by subject matter experts on a specific thematic area. Participants work in small groups to develop outputs such as white papers, data visualizations, and policy playbooks.
The Center has hosted or co-hosted several Research Sprints, each focused on a unique topic. These topics include digital ethics in times of crisis, digital self-determination, and alternative data futures.
Here are some examples of Research Sprints hosted by the Berkman Klein Center:
These Research Sprints provide a unique opportunity for participants to collaborate and produce meaningful outputs that can inform policy and practice in the tech industry.
Research Sprints
The Research Sprints model is a highly intensive program that brings together early-career academics and practitioners to tackle pressing tech ethics and policy issues.
In 2020, the Center launched its first Research Sprint, focusing on the societal and ethical aspects of digital learning methods and technology during the COVID-19 crisis.
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This Research Sprint model typically lasts between 4 to 9 weeks and involves seminars and workshops led by subject matter experts on a specific thematic area.
Participants work in small groups to develop outputs such as white papers, data visualizations, and policy playbooks related to a set of questions or challenges.
The Research Sprint model was developed by Berkman and its collaborators.
The Center has hosted or co-hosted three additional research sprints as of December 2021, covering various topics related to tech ethics and policy.
Here are the topics and resources for each Research Sprint:
These research sprints provide a unique opportunity for participants to engage with subject matter experts and develop practical outputs that can inform policy and decision-making.
Study on Global Internet Censorship
In a study on global internet censorship, researchers found that 64% of countries impose some form of online restriction.
China is a prime example, with its "Great Firewall" blocking access to over 20,000 websites, including Google and Facebook.
In some countries, online censorship is used to suppress dissenting voices, with 70% of governments restricting online content that criticizes the government.
Turkey has been known to block social media platforms during times of social unrest, including the 2013 Gezi Park protests.
The most common types of online censorship are blocking websites and filtering content, used by 63% of countries with internet restrictions.
In Russia, the government has implemented a law requiring internet providers to store user data for six months, raising concerns about online surveillance.
Online censorship can have serious consequences, including limiting access to information and stifling free speech.
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Funding
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society receives funding from a diverse range of organizations and institutions.
The David Bohnett Foundation and the Berkman Family have both contributed to the center's funding.
Georgetown University, a well-established educational institution, has also provided support to the BKC.
Reid Hoffman, a successful entrepreneur, and Michael Klein have made significant contributions to the center.
The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a prominent philanthropic organization, has also invested in the BKC.
Other notable funders include the Miami Foundation and Craig Newmark Philanthropies.
The Research Council of Norway and the Stella P. Holt Foundation have also provided funding to support the center's work.
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Social Issues
The Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society tackles social issues head-on. Its research area "Justice, Equity, & Inclusion" is a testament to this commitment.
BKC has a strong focus on diversity and equity, reaching out to people from diverse backgrounds, including Black, Indigenous, Asian, Hispanic, and Latino/Latina/Latinx people, LGBTQIA+ people, non-binary people, women, and people with disabilities.
In February 2021, BKC hosted an event on "White Surveillance and Black Digital Publics", highlighting the long-standing history of White vigilante-style surveillance of Black people in public spaces. This event explored the role of White women in extending the power of the state to surveil and regulate the movement of Black people in public.
BKC has also addressed issues of racism and xenophobia, with fellow Kade Crockford accusing the Trump administration of such behavior in a 2020 article. The administration's alleged "war against immigrants" was a major concern for Crockford.
In September 2019, BKC hosted an event titled "A New Jim Code?" which equated internet search algorithms to Jim Crow Laws. This event highlighted the need for greater understanding and regulation of these algorithms.
The ACLU of Massachusetts and two BKC fellows made a Freedom of Information Act request to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in March 2018, seeking data on the Trump administration's use of facial recognition software within the Customs and Border Protection agency and the Transportation Security Administration.
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