Nick Lewis
What are you currently researching?
Broadly, I’m researching the effects of social media on political discussion. The nice thing about working on a paper-based thesis is that I can look at different aspects of that in detail. I started by looking at how MPs became more emotional in their tweets over time and exploring potential reasons for this shift. I’m also curious about whether we’re more likely to hear from people with more extreme views, and, in a separate paper, I conducted a field experiment trying to unpack what causes people to hold back from expressing their opinion.
Why did you choose this area of study?
Digital technology has already transformed political communication, much like the printing press, radio, and television before it. However, being in the relatively early stages of the online era means we have so much still to understand.
This makes it an incredibly exciting - and occasionally terrifying - time to be studying its impact on politics. The pace of technological change presents opportunities for research as well as challenges for democracy.
How will your research have a wider impact on society? Can you give some real-world examples of the impact your research will have?
We’ve become familiar with a lot of the negative consequences associated with online political discussion, such as polarisation or misinformation, rather than more positive aims like widening participation. I believe some of these things are consequences of the way we’ve built our digital world. For example, most social media sites are designed to keep our attention by pushing emotional buttons. By figuring out what leads people to deliberate in a healthy and productive way, we can use technology to help us make better collective decisions.
What have been the highlights of your research work so far?
I applied for and was awarded the Phelan US Centre Summer Research Grant, and I worked extensively with the Ethics Review Board to ensure everything was up to standard. Successfully designing and conducting a series of online studies with participants in different time zones challenged me to use many useful skills for the first time and gave me the confidence that I could manage competing complex projects. The opportunity to present this work at international conferences has been the icing on the cake.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Starting a PhD during the pandemic. Largely stuck at home, I think our cohort lost 12-18 months of those incidental interactions which can completely change your day - whether that’s a quick coffee, a pint at the White Horse, or help with a challenging problem. These things don’t tend to happen on Zoom!
What advice would you give to prospective students on the most effective way to approach research and keep stress levels down?
It might sound like a cliché, but it’s a marathon and not a sprint! Be kind to yourself and set realistic goals; your research is done in thousands of tiny steps rather than a few huge leaps. Take time to evaluate which strategies work best for you; I found out the hard way that I’m much more productive doing 5-6 hours of deep, focused work than I am straining to do 10 hours of writing every day.
Remember that, although you’re incredibly invested in it, you are not your research. It’s important to have an identity outside of work so you can rest and recharge. If you can, get outside, get into nature, and look after your body. I find sport is a great way to switch off your brain, release some endorphins, and look at something other than a screen.
In a few words, what is the best thing about studying at LSE?
The people. First, the Professional Services Staff are amazing and allow you to focus on research. Second, being surrounded by world-class researchers is truly inspirational. Finally, teaching intelligent and engaged students from all over the world has been a genuine privilege. London is also a great city with a little bit of everything, and LSE is right in the middle of it.