Spotlight: Dipto Das

Dipto Das, a postdoctoral fellow at the Institute of Health Emergencies & Pandemics, examines how algorithmic systems shape public discourse during health crises. With expertise spanning human–computer interaction, social computing, and algorithmic fairness, Dipto investigates how platforms like YouTube and Reddit amplify or suppress health information during emergencies. His interdisciplinary background, rooted in computer science, information science, and global research on marginalized communities, drives his commitment to more equitable, accountable digital systems. In this spotlight, he shares how his research and collaborations are helping to strengthen crisis communication, resilience, and preparedness in an increasingly algorithmically mediated world.

Tell us about yourself

I’m originally from Bangladesh, where I completed my undergraduate degree in computer science and engineering. In 2018, I moved to the United States to pursue graduate studies, earning a master’s in computer science from Missouri State University, followed by a second master’s and a PhD in information science from the University of Colorado Boulder. My research has focused on human-computer interaction, social computing, and algorithmic fairness, exploring how these areas intersect with online platforms, language technologies, content moderation, and immigration.

Since July 2024, I’ve been a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Toronto, working with Profs. Ishtiaque Ahmed (Department of Computer Science) and Shion Guha (Faculty of Information). My current research, supported by the Institute of Health Emergencies and Pandemics, examines how algorithmic systems shape public discourse during health emergencies, particularly on online platforms.

Can you describe your current research and how it contributes to health emergency preparedness, resilience, or recovery?

My work examines the role of algorithm-driven platforms, such as TikTok and Reddit, in shaping public health conversations during times of crisis. I focus on how recommendation systems and content moderation policies influence which voices are amplified or silenced, and what that means for the visibility of credible health information. By analyzing patterns of misinformation and community engagement across different crises, from global pandemics like COVID-19 to regionally contained outbreaks such as Zika, we aim to uncover how digital platforms can be leveraged to support more equitable and effective responses to health emergencies.

What motivated you to focus on health emergencies and pandemics in your work?

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted how deeply intertwined our digital and social lives have become, and how algorithms play a central role in shaping access to information. As technologies like large language models and algorithmic systems became more widespread during this time, I became interested in how these tools influence public interest sectors, especially health.

I’m also motivated by the growing recognition that climate change and other global factors may lead to more frequent health emergencies. My goal is to bridge the gap between health professionals and technologists to ensure more inclusive and effective responses.

How do you envision your research influencing real-world responses to future health crises?

My research aims to improve real-world responses to health crises by making digital systems more equitable and effective.

I analyze online discourse, audit algorithms for bias across languages and demographics, and use participatory design to co-create solutions with users, designers, and policymakers. The outcomes include practical design recommendations and proof-of-concept tools that show how algorithmic fairness can strengthen crisis communication and preparedness.

Your fellowship is co-supervised across disciplines, how has this shaped your approach to tackling complex challenges?

Working with supervisors from both computer science and information science has been invaluable. Each phase of my research draws on different disciplinary strengths, from computational methods to storytelling and policy analysis.

This collaboration has helped me navigate complex concepts like fairness, which can be interpreted differently across fields. It’s taught me to be mindful of nuance and to represent social realities as faithfully as possible in technological implementations.

How does your research benefit from the interdisciplinary environment fostered by the Institute?

Working in this environment has transformed how I approach research. The space created here goes beyond academic silos, it’s a hub where collaboration meets real-world impact. I’ve had the chance to engage directly with stakeholders on the ground, which has sharpened my understanding of practical challenges and helped me tailor my work to address them.

This interdisciplinary setting also bridges institutions and disciplines, connecting fellows whose expertise complements one another. Those connections have led to meaningful partnerships and innovative approaches that wouldn’t have been possible in isolation.

How is the fellowship supporting your development as a researcher and contributor to health emergency/pandemic preparedness?

The fellowship has given me intellectual freedom to explore how my background in computational methods can contribute to public health. It’s allowed me to bring my previous work, focused on resilience in marginalized communities, into the domain of health emergencies.

As we move toward an increasingly algorithmically mediated world, I believe my research can help ensure that technological systems support equitable crisis response.

How do you see your work contributing to long-term improvements in preparedness, health systems resilience, or equitable policies?

I hope my research encourages both academics and practitioners to view algorithmic governance as central to equitable crisis response. By contributing to digital policy and design in public health, I aim to promote systems that are transparent, inclusive, and accountable.

In a diverse society like Canada, it’s essential to align technological systems with the cultural values of the communities they serve. My work seeks to ensure that these systems support, rather than hinder, resilience and equity during health emergencies.