About us

The Platform Governance Research Lab (PGRL) focuses on using market-level design, message-level design, and human factors to address the problem of misinformation. Our team is dedicated to discovering how we can curb fake news while protecting free speech through innovative interventions, market mechanisms, and legal reforms.

Research Goals

Our research aims to address misinformation through a multifaceted approach:

• Using market-level design to reduce false claims and promote honesty.
• Promote free expression without any form of censorship or even central parties judging speech.
• Applying cognitive psychology to understand and influence beliefs and trust.
• Conducting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to test interventions and measure their impact.
• Exploring the potential for market design to inform legal reforms, particularly updating §230 and content liability laws.

Research Results

Here are some of our published papers and talks:

• Free Speech & the Fake News Problem
• Improving §230, Preserving Democracy & Protecting Free Speech
• Truth is Warranted: The Impact of Self-Certification on Misinformation

Generously sponsored by National Science Foundation grant SaTC #2217770.