Information & Society –
Understanding how we seek and share information

Photo credit: Rasheed Kemy on Unsplash

Societal shifts and emerging technologies are changing how we find and share information, shape beliefs, and connect with one another. These changes are increasingly visible in everyday life and public conversation—but much is still unfolding. They bring real challenges, as well as important opportunities, for individuals, communities and institutions.

The Information and Society program supports research and dialogue that help communities better understand these changes. We work to identify risks and opportunities, foster thoughtful, informed debate and explore solutions that empower people to, in the words of Jack Knight, better “pursue their true interests.”

Our work is grounded in the belief that access to reliable information is essential to self-determination and a commitment to the freedoms protected by the First Amendment. We support ideas, evidence, and nonpartisan perspectives that strengthen public understanding and civic life. We have a bias toward action, and we seek timely opportunities that lead to deeper insight, informed dialogue and lasting impact.

Our Approach

We work to strengthen communities by advancing free expression and deepening understanding of how people engage with information and one another in a rapidly changing world. We do this by investing in knowledge, connecting people and ideas, and ensuring that high-quality information reaches the public. Our approach brings together research, dialogue and practical application to support informed decision-making through more sound, accessible information.

We:

• Invest in research that builds a strong, independent evidence base on issues central to Knight Foundation’s mission, including commissioned studies and strategic partnerships.

• Increase access to trusted information and diverse perspectives by supporting translation, public data infrastructure and pilot projects that bring research into real-world use and public conversation.

• Convene experts and practitioners to foster shared understanding, surface insights and build consensus across disciplines.

What We Do

Our work focuses on four core areas.

Strengthening the Knight Research Network
We support independent, high-quality research that explores how new technologies are reshaping how people seek, share and act on information. We also invest in efforts that connect research to practice—helping policymakers, journalists, the private sector and the public apply evidence in meaningful ways.

Advancing Free Expression in a Changing Landscape
We support scholarship, institutions, and public dialogue that strengthen free expression and First Amendment values amid technological and cultural change. Our work includes:

• Research on emerging issues affecting free expression, including digital platforms, content moderation, AI-generated speech, anonymity and evolving forms of censorship.

• Efforts to build resilience among civic institutions and sustain civil society organizations that defend free expression.

• Convenings and public forums that elevate informed dialogue about the future of free expression and the First Amendment.

Commissioned Research and Strategic Partnership
Through commissioned research and strategic partnerships, we advance understanding of the conditions that support strong, resilient communities. This includes:

• State of Communities, a new benchmark for measuring community vitality in the United States.

• The Pew-Knight Initiative, which examines how Americans seek information, form beliefs, and engage in community life.

Libraries as Civic Information Institutions
Building resilience among public libraries, particularly systems in Knight communities

What We Fund

We fund research, partnerships and field-building efforts that promote a more resilient information ecosystem, deepen our shared understanding and advance a culture of free expression. We prioritize proposals for:

• Research initiatives that realize latent potential in institutions by strengthening connectivity and collaboration among interdisciplinary scholars or experts; not one-off projects or publications
• Nonpartisan policy research that is informed by current scholarly consensus; not direct advocacy or lobbying
• Interventions that unlock new scale, speed or ecosystem-level effects
• Convenings and public events that seek out scientific or social consensus through pluralism