About

In just a few short years, GW’s Institute for Data, Democracy, and Politics (IDDP) has become a leading venue for policy-relevant research at the intersection of digital technology, media and democracy. This year marks the beginning of IDDP’s next chapter with Catie Snow Bailard and Ethan Porter stepping into leadership roles as incoming Co-Directors. Associate Professors in the School of Media and Public Affairs (SMPA), Bailard’s innovative work on digital harms to democracy and Porter’s leading expertise in the study of misinformation and its correction will help IDDP expand its role as an incubator of critical, public-facing research.

“We will build on IDDP’s reputation, amplifying the important work our scholars do and convening key thinkers, policymakers, practitioners and members of the media to grapple with some of the fundamental questions of our time,” said Bailard and Porter.

IDDP’s principal researchers hail from across the university, each trailblazers in their respective field who share a commitment to interdisciplinary and impactful research that can drive policy. Lorien Abroms from the Milken Institute School of Public Health, David Broniatowski from the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Matthew Hindman from the School of Media and Public Affairs, and Spencer Overton from the GW Law School, each pursue the leading-edge research that IDDP is known for. Beginning this year, the Institute is also joined by two new scholars to GW: Derek Holliday from the Political Science department and Rajeshwari Majumdar from SMPA. The work of these core researchers, along with that of Bailard and Porter, will further expand IDDP’s contribution to empirical research focused on improving the health of American democracy, its communities, and citizens.

On October 21, 2025, IDDP will host its first public event of the year. "The State of Democracy in Trump's America: Year One,” co-sponsored by The New Republic magazine, which will bring together experts to discuss the challenges now facing U.S. democracy. In the months and years ahead, IDDP will unveil additional initiatives and events that reflect its commitment to scholarship and translating leading-edge research for the broader public. To be kept apprised of these activities, please subscribe to IDDP’s newsletter and follow on LinkedIn and at its new space on BlueSky. 

As they take the helm, Bailard and Porter recognize the steadfast effort and support that laid the foundation for IDDP’s continued success, "We are extraordinarily grateful to the outgoing Director of IDDP, Rebekah Tromble. And we are so thankful to the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, which has made it possible for IDDP to continue this important work.” 

Catie Bailard & Ethan Porter 
IDDP Co-Directors