UW alumna Harbath to discuss Democracy in the Digital Age

Katie Harbath

As social media companies face growing scrutiny among lawmakers and the general public, the La Follette School of Public Affairs at UW–Madison welcomes Katie Harbath, a former global public policy director at Facebook for the past 10 years, for a livestreamed public presentation March 24.

Harbath’s presentation will focus on her experiences and thoughts on the future of social media, especially how tech companies are addressing civic integrity issues such as speech, misinformation and political advertising. She also will answer audience questions.

La Follette School Director and Professor Susan Webb Yackee will moderate the discussion.

Harbath, who grew up in the Green Bay area, received her bachelor’s degree in political science and in journalism and mass communication from UW–Madison.

Harbath’s presentation is part of the Paul Offner Lecture series, which honors the late Paul Offner, a scholar, state legislator, congressional advisor, and educator who left a legacy of applying solid, evidence-driven research to public policy solutions, especially for disadvantaged people.

The hour-long event is co-sponsored by UW–Madison’s Department of Computer Sciences, with additional support provided by the Kohl Initiative.