Jason Radford

Jason Radford is a Principal Research Scientist at Northeastern University and founder of the Social Design Lab. He joined Northeastern in 2014 as part of David Lazer’s lab, co-founding Volunteer Science—a platform for online behavioral studies that evolved into a global SaaS company. Primarily based at The Roux Institute in Portland, ME (100 Fore St), he operates in a remote capacity with additional offices in Boston and London.

Education

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of Chicago: Focused on organizational effectiveness

Research Interests

Radford’s work bridges social science methodology, big data analytics, and digital experimentation. He pioneers techniques for non-probability sampling, machine learning integration in social research, and platform-based behavioral studies. His research emphasizes translating theoretical frameworks into scalable solutions for societal challenges through scientific entrepreneurship.

Publication Trends

His publications (2016-2025) show a clear evolution from foundational big data concepts (Data ex Machina, 2017) to methodological innovations in survey science (2025). A consistent thread is the critical examination of data quality in digital-era research, with increasing focus on sustainable implementation of scientific findings in real-world contexts.

Labs and Initiatives

As founder of the Social Design Lab, Radford leads ventures including Disinformation Monitor, Current Argument Optimization, Equitable Relationships App, and Volunteer Science. The lab partners with faculty, students, and practitioners to transform research into impactful solutions, emphasizing scientific entrepreneurship and translational science.