Jonathan A. Obar

Jonathan A. Obar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication & Media Studies at York University's Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies. He also serves as a Research Fellow with the Quello Center for Telecommunication Management and Law at Michigan State University, where he previously worked for four years. His research examines the intersection of digital technologies, civil liberties, and public culture inclusiveness.

Dr. Obar's academic credentials include:

• PhD in Mass Communications from Penn State University
• MA in Media Studies from Syracuse University
• BA in Communication Studies and Humanities from York University

His research focuses on Information Policy, Communication Policy, Big Data and Privacy, Network Neutrality, and Digital Activism. His work critically analyzes how digital infrastructures impact privacy, surveillance, and democratic participation, with publications addressing social media consent mechanisms, internet governance, and activist strategies in digital spaces.

Dr. Obar leads the "AI in Focus Project" and "The Biggest Lie on the Internet Project," and maintains affiliations with the Quello Center at Michigan State University. He has held research positions at the New America Foundation, Free Press, Open Society Foundations, and served as Senior Advisor to the Wikimedia Foundation's Wikipedia Education Program.

No details regarding student advising or grant funding are provided in the source material.