Merlyna Lim

Merlyna Lim is a Full Professor at the School of Journalism and Communication, Carleton University, and a former Canada Research Chair in Digital Media and Global Network Society. She is the founder and director of the ALiGN Media Lab, an interdisciplinary research lab focusing on digital media, data, and civic engagement. Her research spans the interplay between technology, society, and politics, with a regional focus on Southeast Asia.

Education:

• PhD in Science and Technology Studies, University of Twente, Netherlands
• Bachelor’s in Architecture, Institute of Technology Bandung (ITB), Indonesia
• Bachelor’s in Architectural Engineering, University of Parahyangan (Unpar), Indonesia

Her research interests include digital media, political communication, social movements, algorithmic politics, critical data studies, privacy, surveillance, and religion and media. She takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from communication, sociology, urban studies, religious studies, and computer science. Her work critically examines how digital platforms shape civic engagement, dissent, and social change, particularly in the Global South.

Her recent publications explore themes such as affective sociability in Indonesian social media, algorithmic enclaves, digital disconnection, and the evolution of activist media in Southeast Asia. The articles reflect a strong focus on the political and cultural implications of algorithms, disinformation, and platform governance in non-Western contexts.

Scientific Awards and Honors:

• Royal Society of Canada’s New College of Scholars, Artists, and Scientists (2016)
• Carleton University Top 10 Women Leaders and Researchers (2020)
• Faculty Graduate Mentoring Award (2019)
• Best Publication Award in Information Systems (2012)
• One of 100 Most Inspiring Indonesian Women (2011)
• One of 100 Most Prominent Alumni of ITB (2020)
• One of 25 Notable Alumni of University of Twente (2023)

Lim has received major research grants from SSHRC, CFI, NSF, Ford Foundation, and others. She has delivered over 250 talks globally and has been featured in media such as The Guardian, Al Jazeera, and CBC News. She has held visiting positions at Princeton University, Arizona State University, and the University of Southern California. She also leads the a cappella group The Edoens and is an accomplished visual artist.