Jeff Hancock

Jeff Hancock is founding director of the Center and is well-known for his research on how social technologies like artificial intelligence and social media shape trust, well-being, and human behavior, with a focus on helping organizations and policymakers navigate the psychological impacts of emerging technologies.  He is the Harry and Norman Chandler Professor of Communication at Stanford University, Founding Director of the Stanford Social Media Lab, a senior fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute (FSI), Founding Editor of the Journal of Online Trust & Safety, and previously the co-director of the Stanford Cyber Policy Center.

A leading expert in behavioral sciences and the psychology of online interaction, Professor Hancock studies the psychological aspects of social media and AI technology. Professor Hancock earned his PhD in Psychology at Dalhousie University, Canada and was Professor of Information Science and Communication at Cornell prior to joining Stanford in 2015.