Oxford Internet Institute

The Oxford Internet Institute (OII), founded in 2001, is a multidisciplinary research and teaching department of the University of Oxford. It focuses on the social scientific study of the internet and its impact on our society.

The main mission of the OII is to understand and explore the transformation brought about by the internet and new technologies. The institute is committed to analyzing and explaining the social, economic, and political impacts of the internet through interdisciplinary research that encompasses both social and computational sciences. The focus is on developing new theories, concepts, and methods to analyze the rich social data and address social, economic, and political questions[1][3][5].

The OII is known for its extensive research activities covering a wide range of topics, including digital politics, information governance and security, social data science, digital economies, digital culture and education, as well as ethical and philosophical aspects of information technology. Research is organized into various clusters, such as Digital Politics and Government, Information Governance and Security, and Social Data Science[3][5].

The institute offers several graduate programs, including the MSc in Social Science of the Internet and the DPhil in Information, Communication and the Social Sciences. These programs attract talented students from around the world and provide comprehensive training in research methods and social science concepts[2][4].

The OII plays an important role in shaping policy solutions by providing empirical data and conceptual analyses. The institute's research has already had a significant impact on global debates and policy formulations, particularly in areas such as "fake news," big data, and the effects of technology on well-being. The OII has also significantly contributed to the online harms debate in the UK and is involved in developing the first global rating system for companies in the gig economy[1][3].

The OII is engaged in various initiatives aimed at shaping the digital world for the public good. One example is the Online Labour Observatory, operated in collaboration with the International Labour Organization (ILO), which measures the global online freelance market. Other initiatives include research on the impacts of COVID-19 on the industry and the development of strategies to combat misinformation on social media[3].

In 2025, the OII will move to the new Schwarzman Centre for the Humanities, which will provide new opportunities for interdisciplinary research and collaboration. The institute remains committed to staying at the forefront of research in quantitative, qualitative, and computational methods and addressing social, economic, and political questions of the digital world[1][4].

The Oxford Internet Institute is thus a central player in researching and shaping the digital society, with a strong focus on interdisciplinary research, policy influence, and promoting the public good.

• 1 - https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/about/
• 2 - https://networkofcenters.net/center/oxford-internet-institute-oii-university-oxford
• 3 - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oxford_Internet_Institute
• 4 - https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/about/our-history/
• 5 - https://www.oii.ox.ac.uk/research/