On November 20th, the American University Internet Governance Lab hosted a compelling faculty talk by Professor Megan Finn of the School of Communication. A leading expert on data structures and institutions, Professor Finn discussed critical insights from her work, including themes from her book, Documenting Aftermath: Information Infrastructures in the Wake of Disasters. The book examines how evolving public information infrastructures have shaped disaster experiences, with a focus on earthquakes in Northern California and the policies, institutions, and technologies that define today’s post-disaster information systems.

In this faculty talk, Professor Finn extended these analyses to explore the role of COVID data dashboards in shaping public understanding and governance during the pandemic. Held in the SIS EDH Suite and online, the event provided attendees with a nuanced perspective on the intersection of data, institutions, and societal resilience. Attendees also enjoyed light refreshments and casual socializing.