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Trevor Davis: Expert in Digital Disinformation and Trust & Safety

Pioneering research professor and entrepreneur combating digital disinformation and enhancing information system safety across global platforms.

Academic Excellence

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Notre Dame University

Research Professor, Computer Science (Feb 2024 - Current). Applying LLMs to generate and analyze billion-node graphs from unstructured data.

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Columbia University

Fellow, Tow Center for Digital Journalism (Sep 2022 - Mar 2023). Identified market manipulation on social media with novel quantitative analysis.

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George Washington University

Research Professor (Jan 2019 - Sep 2021). Secured funding for the Institute for Data Democracy and Politics, advancing research on digital media's influence.

Skills and Expertise

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Expert Witness

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Data Engineering

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Trust and Safety

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Computer Science

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Project Management

Trevor's diverse skill set combines technical expertise with strategic insight, making him a valuable asset in combating digital disinformation and enhancing information system safety.

Languages and Frameworks

Core Python & Software Engineering

  • Python Fundamentals - Strong understanding of Python, including data structures, OOP, and functional programming.
  • Efficient Code Writing - Writing optimized, readable, and maintainable code.
  • Asynchronous Programming - Useful for handling I/O-bound operations and improving performance.

Machine Learning & Deep Learning

  • ML Frameworks - Experience with TensorFlow, PyTorch, Scikit-learn.
  • NLP & LLMs - Handling large language models (LLMs) like GPT, LLaMA, or fine-tuning models.
  • Computer Vision - Working with OpenCV, YOLO, and Transformers for vision tasks.

Groundbreaking Research

Visual Misinformation Study

Analyzed 13 million U.S. political image posts on Facebook, finding 23% contained misinformation.

Facebook Superuser Analysis

Revealed less than 1% of U.S. users disproportionately shape content, spreading hate and misinformation.

Evaluating the Code of Practice

ERGA Report on disinformation: Assessment of the implementation of the Code of Practice

Suspicious Election Activity

How a Large Network of Suspicious Accounts Promoted Alternative Für Deutschland in the 2019 EU Parliamentary Elections

Entrepreneurial Success

CounterAction

Founded and scaled startup to $3M annual revenue, addressing disinformation and Trust and Safety for Fortune 100 companies and governments.

ToSomeone

Developed groundbreaking AI driven email fundraising platform that could change the content of emails after they were sent.

CrisisPictures

According to Washington Post writer Tom Ricks,"CrisisPictures demonstrated how the might of the entire US Military can be matched by a single blogger working part time."

Notable Projects

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Investigations and Research

Howls of Hate - Facebook's Negligence and Political Violence

Built a violent intent classifier for comments and associated them with images of protected public figures.

Outside Amplification of the German Far Right

How a minor party built on hate dominated 80% of German political Facebook.

Foreign Influence Operations

Bernie Sanders pages run from Algeria, Bulgaria, Indonesia. Strategic intent and reach.


Exploitation by Algorithm

How platforms amplify scams targeting the vulnerable.

Account Laundering

The devious new strategy to obfuscate inauthentic accounts.

Predicted J6 16 Months In Advance

Documented a coordinated strategy to collect collateral to execute the legal and physical attacks on our Democracy.

The Antifa Myth

How the right created a fictional violent left wing movement - and got people to sign up for it.

Education and Early Career

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London School of Economics

BSc. Honours, Anthropology (1998-2001). Active in Debate, Creative Arts, and Theater Societies.

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Nielsen

Analyst - Audience Engagement (2001-2003). Measured reach and response to broadcast spots.

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Crisis Pictures

Senior Engineer (2004-2008). Managed photo blog with over a million daily visitors.

Selected Publications

Journal of Communication

"Visual misinformation on Facebook" (2023). Analyzed 13 million political image posts, finding 23% contained misinformation.

The Atlantic

"Facebook Has a Superuser-Supremacy Problem" (2022). Revealed how a small group of users disproportionately shape content.

The Washington Post

"Facebook Isn't Ready for 2020" (2019). Op-ed challenging Facebook's claims of combating election interference.