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Appointments, affiliations, education, and awards. Download the full CV using the button above.

Contact Information

Name Joseph B. Bak-Coleman
Professional Title Research Scientist, University of Washington
Email jbakcoleman@gmail.com
Website https://joebakcoleman.com

Professional Summary

Computational social scientist studying collective decision-making, misinformation, polarization, and evidence-based tech policy. Author of the forthcoming book Of Fish and Fascists (Princeton University Press, 2027).

Experience

  • 2025 -

    Seattle, WA

    Research Scientist
    University of Washington
    Department of Biology.
  • 2024 - 2025

    Remote

    Consulting Expert
    United Nations Development Programme
    Human Development Reports Office.
  • 2022 - 2024

    New York, NY

    Associate Research Scholar
    Columbia University
    Craig Newmark Center for Journalism Ethics and Security.
  • 2020 - 2022

    Seattle, WA

    Postdoctoral Scholar
    University of Washington
    Center for an Informed Public.
  • 2014 - 2014

    Ohio

    Adjunct Instructor
    Owens Community College
    Biology Department.
  • 2025 -

    External Applied Complexity Fellow
    Santa Fe Institute
    Applied Complexity.
  • 2024 -

    Collaboration Partner
    University of Konstanz
    Centre for the Advanced Study of Collective Behaviour.
  • 2023 -

    External Affiliate
    Harvard University
    Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
  • 2022 -

    Affiliate
    UNC Chapel Hill
    Center for Information, Technology, and Public Life.
  • 2022 - 2023

    RSM Assembly Fellow
    Harvard University
    Berkman Klein Center for Internet & Society.
  • 2020 - 2022

    UW Data Science Postdoctoral Fellow
    University of Washington
    eScience Institute.
  • 2022 -

    Member
    Coalition for Independent Tech Research
  • 2022 - 2022

    Annual Report Consultant
    United Nations Development Programme
  • 2020 - 2022

    Lab Meeting and Seminar Series Organizer
    Center for an Informed Public, University of Washington
  • 2020 - 2020

    Analyst Team Lead
    Election Integrity Partnership

Education

  • 2014 - 2020

    Princeton, NJ

    PhD
    Princeton University
    Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
    • Supervisors: Professor Iain Couzin, Professor Dan Rubenstein
    • Dissertation: Collective behavior in a connected world
  • 2014 - 2016

    Princeton, NJ

    MA
    Princeton University
    Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
    • Supervisors: Professor Iain Couzin, Professor Dan Rubenstein
  • 2011 - 2014

    Bowling Green, OH

    MS
    Bowling Green State University
    Biology
    • Supervisor: Professor Sheryl Coombs
    • Thesis: The role of the lateral line during rheotaxis
  • 2007 - 2011

    Bowling Green, OH

    BS
    Bowling Green State University
    Neuroscience

Awards

  • 2025
    Templeton World Charities Foundation

  • 2024
    Paper of the Year
    Behavioral Science and Policy Association

  • 2025
    Dimensionality Working Group
    Santa Fe Institute

  • 2022
    RSM Fellowship
    Berkman Klein Center, Harvard University

  • 2021
    Rapid Response Workshop
    CIP Innovation Fund, University of Washington

  • 2021
    Experimental approaches to studying misinformation online
    CIP Innovation Fund, University of Washington

  • 2020
    Postdoctoral Fellowship
    Center for an Informed Public, University of Washington

  • 2020
    Data Science Postdoctoral Fellowship
    UW eScience Institute

  •
    Summer Research Fellowship
    BGSU CURS

  •
    Summer Research Fellowship
    BGSU SETGO

  •
    Bioinformatics Scholarship
    Choose Ohio First (3 years)

  •
    Travel Award
    Flow Sensing in Air and Water

Interests

Hobbies: Birding, Brewing, Biking, BBQ, Bass Guitar, Board Games

Projects