• Brennan Schaffner (he/him)

    I am a Postdoctoral Researcher at Georgetown University’s Knight-Georgetown Institute and Communication, Culture, and Technology program. My research with Peter Chapman, Meg Leta Jones, and Leticia Bode involves mapping the use of empirical evidence in digital platform litigation. I aim to enhance the online experience of digital platforms and promote user well-being.

    My previous work includes investigations into how platforms moderate harmful content and experimental assessments of harmful platform design choices. In addition to publishing my work at leading Human-Computer Interaction conferences, I have also conducted research for expert witness reports and provided comments to regulatory agencies, offering evidence-based policy recommendations. I received my Doctoral and Master’s degrees in Computer Science from the University of Chicago, and I also hold Bachelor’s Degrees in Physics and Computer Science from the University of St. Thomas, Minnesota.

Updates:

  • Excited as I begin my postdoc with Meg Leta Jones, Peter Chapman, and Leticia Bode at Georgetown as a Fritz Research Fellow.
  • PhD Complete!
  • Department news article about our CSCW ’25 paper -> Now on UChicago news
  • Joined the programming committee for the 2025 Workshop on Technology and Consumer Protection (ConPro ’25)
  • Paper accepted to CSCW ’25
  • Received the class of 2025 Siebel Scholars award
  • Department news article about our Chi ’24 paper
  • This summer, I taught Introduction to Computer Science I (UChicago CMSC 14100).
  • Gave guest lecture in Usable Privacy & Security (Spring ’24) titled “Dark Patterns, Online Manipulation, and Privacy”
  • Paper accepted to CHI ‘24
  • Co-organized UChicago’s Student Application Support Program
  • Spoke about my work with a journalist from The Wall Street Journal. [article]
  • Gave guest lecture in Usable Privacy & Security (Spring ’23) titled “Dark Patterns, Online Manipulation, and Privacy”
  • Awarded Research & Personal Development Fund from University of Chicago Graduate Council
  • Panelist for CHI ’23: Emerging Transdisciplinary Perspectives to Confront Dark Patterns
  • CSCW ’23 paper picked up by UChicago news.
  • Served as Chair Assistant for CHI ’23 Privacy and Security Subcommittee
  • Paper accepted into CSCW ’23
  • Comments submitted to CPPA, FTC, and EDPB: May – Aug 2022
  • Paper accepted into CSCW ’22
  • Comment submitted to FTC: May 2021
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