(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) “Misinformation expert” Joan M. Donovan will no longer be a teacher or a researcher at Harvard University’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Her research project will expire at the beginning of 2024.
According to the Post Millennial, the University released a statement saying the project is “winding down,” and is lacking in leadership, but did not report any specific details.
“The Technology and Social Change project is winding down — through an extended transition — because it does not have intellectual and academic leadership by a full HKS faculty member, as required of all long-term research and outreach projects at HKS,” Smith wrote.
Donovan is the research director at the Shoenstein Center, and leads a protect titled “Technology and Social Change,” which “explores media manipulation as a means to control public conversation, derail democracy and disrupt society,” according to the Center’s description of the project.
“TaSC conducts research, develops methods, and facilitates workshops for journalists, policy makers, technologists, and civil society organizations on how to detect, document, and debunk media manipulation campaigns,” the description added.
Due to the cancellation of the project, Donavan cannot hire any more staff or raise additional funding. In fact, she now has a cap on her spending until the project expires.
Donovan has a notorious reputation as a left-wing “misinformation” researcher. One study she co-authored looked at the January 6 Capitol protest, which found that at least a fifth of the protestors who participated in the riot “were motivated to take part in the riot because they supported Trump.”
She also testified in front of House and Senate subcommittees, addressing the spread of misinformation online.
Harvard Kennedy School spokesperson James Smith confirmed the cancellation of the project, but reiterated the school’s commitment to studying misinformation.
“Harvard Kennedy School is committed to the teaching and study of misinformation and disinformation, and several faculty members are leading significant projects that address these topics,” he wrote.
 "Misinformation expert" Joan M. Donovan, will no longer be a teacher or a researcher at Harvard University's Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy. Her research project will expire at the beginning of 2024.){kind=link}