Alexander Martin, MA, BA

PhD student in Science and Technology Studies at York University

I am a PhD student in Science and Technology Studies at York University, focusing on the societal impacts of emerging technologies, including privacy rights, disinformation, and social media algorithms. My research examines decentralized platforms like Mastodon as alternatives to the US media monopoly, promoting Canadian sovereignty and conversations, particularly in light of the Online News Act and Online Streaming Act.

I hold a BA in Rhetoric, Media, and Professional Communication with a Minor in History, and an MA in Rhetoric and Communication Design, both from the University of Waterloo. For my MA, I studied the rhetoric of bots on Twitter and their role in promoting disinformation during the 2020 US Presidential Election. I am currently a communications professor at Conestoga College, and I interview tech CEOs for Icon Outlook Magazine. Starting in 2025, I will join NATO as a strategic communications professional in the Science and Technology Organization division. My research interests include digital governance, AI impacts, and ethical considerations in technology. Join me in exploring the challenges and opportunities of digital governance, privacy rights, and democratic values in the digital age