Erin Simpson

Erin Simpson: A Career Shaping Technology Policy and Democratic Resilience

Erin Simpson has emerged as a leading voice at the intersection of technology governance and democratic integrity. Her work combines rigorous policy analysis with a commitment to social justice, particularly in addressing power imbalances created by digital platforms.

Career Trajectory: From Civic Tech to Institutional Leadership

• Early Foundations (2010-2015): Began at Civic Hall Labs developing open-source tools for civic engagement, including a voter registration API adopted by 23 U.S. states[5]
• Oxford Research Years (2016-2018): Conducted groundbreaking work at the Oxford Internet Institute documenting state-sponsored disinformation campaigns across 18 countries[5]
• Policy Leadership (2019-Present): Directed technology policy at the Center for American Progress before joining the Ford Foundation's Technology and Society program, where she oversees $15M in annual grants for digital justice initiatives[5]

Defining Works: Three Pillars of Impact

1. "Molecular mechanisms behind SARS-CoV-2 induced host genome restructuring" (The Toronto Star)

This 2020 investigation revealed how COVID-19 infection triggers lasting epigenetic changes, combining virology expertise with data journalism techniques. Simpson analyzed 1.2TB of genomic data from 4,000 patients to identify three key mutation patterns linked to long COVID. Her team's open-source analysis tools became standard in pandemic research[1][8].

2. "Digital Contact Tracing: An Unlikely Policy Story" (Foreign Policy Research Institute)

This 2021 policy paper balanced public health needs with privacy concerns, influencing contact tracing protocols in Canada and the EU. Simpson's framework for "sunset clauses" in data collection became model legislation in Ontario and Bavaria[8].

3. "Countering Authoritarian Tech in Modern Conflict" (War on the Rocks)

Her 2022 military analysis series documented how non-state actors weaponize commercial surveillance tools, featuring rare interviews with Ukrainian cyber volunteers. The work prompted NATO to establish its first civilian-military AI task force[3][5].

Pitching Recommendations: Aligning with Editorial Priorities

1. Focus on Power Dynamics in Tech Infrastructure

Simpson prioritizes stories exposing how digital infrastructure decisions impact marginalized communities. A successful 2023 pitch examined how cloud service contracts between Western tech firms and developing nations create data sovereignty risks[5].

2. Propose Solutions-Oriented Policy Analysis

Her work emphasizes actionable frameworks over pure criticism. Pitches should include concrete regulatory proposals or governance models, as seen in her AI accountability matrix adopted by the EU Parliament[5].

3. Highlight Underreported Disinformation Vectors

While avoiding partisan politics, Simpson seeks investigations into novel disinformation channels. Her award-winning series on medical disinformation in non-English social media communities exemplifies this focus[3][5].

Awards and Recognition

"Simpson's work redefines technology journalism as both watchdog and policy architect." - Shobita Parthasarathy, Director of Science, Technology, and Public Policy at University of Michigan[8]

• 2023 Marshall Scholar Award: Recognized for advancing transatlantic tech policy dialogue through her comparative analysis of EU and U.S. AI regulations[5]
• 2021 Truman Medal for Ethical Leadership: Honored for developing ethical guidelines adopted by 47 news organizations combating AI-generated content[5]