Eszter Hargittai

Eszter Hargittai is a Professor and Chair of Internet Use & Society at the Department of Communication and Media Research, University of Zurich. Formerly affiliated with Northwestern University, Princeton University, and Smith College (as William Allan Neilson Professor in Fall 2024).

Her research focuses on the sociocultural implications of digital media, particularly digital inequality, aging and technology, and algorithmic literacy. Key areas include how disparities in internet skills affect life opportunities, misinformation dynamics among older adults, and the societal impact of digital platforms.

Awarded the International Communication Association's Outstanding Young Scholar Award (2010) and elected ICA Fellow (2019). Her work has been funded by NSF, MacArthur Foundation, Sloan Foundation, and others. Notable publications include Wired Wisdom: How to Age Better Online (2025) and the Handbook of Digital Inequality (2021).

Advocates for accessible digital education and equitable technology use. Active in policy discussions about aging populations' digital inclusion and misinformation challenges. Teaches research methods and mentors junior scholars.

Current initiatives include a postdoc hiring drive and collaborations on digital legacy planning clinics. Maintains an active presence on Bluesky, sharing insights on tech policy, academic publishing, and career advice.