Alexander J. StewartView profile
Associate Professor
Alexander J. Stewart is an Associate Professor of Informatics at Indiana University Bloomington and an Honorary Professor of Mathematics at the University of St Andrews. He holds a PhD in Mathematical Biology from University College London (2010), and earlier degrees in Physics (Imperial College London) and Mathematical Biology (University College London). His research focuses on mathematical and computational models of social learning in online ecosystems, addressing topics such as misinformation, polarization, and cooperative behavior through lenses of game theory and evolutionary dynamics. Key themes include cultural evolution's interaction with algorithms, social network structures' impact on collective decisions, and cognitive mechanisms shaping social interactions. His work has been published in high-impact journals like Nature , PNAS , and Science Advances , addressing topics ranging from information gerrymandering to the evolution of stereotyping. He leads projects funded by the John Templeton Foundation, exploring cultural evolution and online social contracts. Advising over 7 graduate students and postdocs, he has mentored researchers now in academic and industry roles globally. His teaching includes advanced courses on game theory and social media dynamics. Media contributions include analyses on polarization's societal impacts and the dangers of algorithmic misinformation. Current research initiatives include modeling behavioral motivations for cooperation and investigating eco-evolutionary trade-offs in pathogen competition. His labs focus on interdisciplinary approaches to understanding complex social and biological systems.









