Fellow Jennifer Stromer-Galley: Artificial Intelligence, Political Communication, and Democratic Processes

She is a Professor at the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University and a Fellow of the International Communication Association (ICA), she joins the Weizenbaum Institute as a Distinguished Fellow, contributing her expertise at the intersection of AI, political communication, and democracy research.

For more than two decades, Stromer-Galley has examined how digital technologies influence political communication—from strategic campaign messaging on social media to the cognitive biases that shape how people process information. Her research combines computational methods, experimental approaches, and network analysis to study political communication at scale. Her current work focuses in particular on how AI affects information seeking, judgment, and democratic processes, as well as coordinated inauthentic behavior in digital political environments.

Reflecting on her time at the Weizenbaum Institute, Stromer-Galley highlights the value of intellectual exchange: “The Weizenbaum Institute is a magnet that draws researchers from across Europe and around the world to share insights and collaborate on innovative research.” She especially values her ongoing conversations with Ulrike Klinger, which have fostered a sustained and productive exchange of ideas.

The Institute’s focus on digital technology and networked society was a key reason for her fellowship. Engaging with researchers from diverse disciplines has helped sharpen her own thinking. During her stay, she presented her work to the Institute’s community and received feedback that contributed to the publication of an article in Communication Theory.

In addition to her research, Stromer-Galley has led major interdisciplinary projects, securing more than $18 million in external funding, including federal grants focused on political communication and cognitive bias. She is affiliated with the Institute for Democracy, Journalism, and Citizenship as well as the Campbell Institute at Syracuse University.