Data & Society is an independent nonprofit research organization studying the social implications of data-centric technologies and automation. We recognize that the same innovative technologies that may benefit society can also be abused to invade privacy, provide new tools of discrimination, foreclose opportunity, and harm individuals and communities. Through original research and inclusive engagement, we work to ensure that empirical evidence and respect for human dignity guide how technology is developed and governed.

The Role Data & Society is seeking a Senior Researcher, AI Civics who is a subject-matter expert who will serve as a lead contributor on an ambitious, two-year program at Data & Society focused on civic action and community control over AI. Drawing primarily on participatory methods, particularly participatory action research methods, the Senior Researcher will be primarily responsible for one or more inter-organizational partnerships with organizations — especially one or more national partner organizations working in the domain of K-12 education, labor, faith, or advocacy. The AI Civics program is a newly-launched effort planning to amplify the tools of civic participation to help the public to directly shape the role that AI plays in society, surfacing civic tools the public can use to exert political power over AI systems and tech platforms at the community level.

The program will co-create toolkits and training resources with anchor partner organizations, diffuses these resources through a train-the-trainer model, and builds towards a national civic coalition demanding democratic accountability over AI. This program also contributes to Data & Society’s strategic priority of building network power. The Senior Researcher will be responsible for executing mission-critical co-design and participatory research projects as part of the AI Civics program at Data & Society.

This position will report to the Program Director and is fully remote and will begin in September 2026 with an end date of May 31, 2028. The Candidate This role will operate at the intersection of partnership relationship management, policy and design research, and curriculum co-design. Specifically, the Senior Researcher will collaborate closely with the AI Civics Program Director and team to co-produce educational materials and other public-facing outputs with partners and community members, such as case studies, templates, reports, research papers, blogs, and public-facing writing.

They may also be required to report to organization leadership on the goals of the program and research progress as well as represent D&S in other public venues. They will also participate and help plan research team events and public writing and speaking engagements. This role requires strong organizational, analytic, and writing skills, and the ability to express ideas and thoughts with academic literature in their discipline.

They should be comfortable completing solo research projects, as well as collaborating with and directing contractors and other collaborators. They must be able to dedicate full-time focus toward the research program of AI Civics .

Responsibilities

Participatory Research Draw on expertise in participatory research methods to cultivate and steward relationships with partner organization staff, community members and leaders, allied organizations, and/or public sector workers. Lead one or more collaborative relationship(s) with an anchor partner and their local members and constituents for the co-creation and diffusion of AI Civics resources using participatory methods, especially participatory action research. Co-develop and direct the iterative improvement of toolkits, facilitation guides, and training curricula.

Help coordinate and/or run piloting, feedback collection, and revision cycles, rooted in community needs and interests to advance the AI Civics objectives.