The SocioTech Futures Lab is an interdisciplinary research hub that examines how emerging technologies are reshaping human behavior, social inequalities, and ethical norms. By weaving together perspectives from economics, communication, social policy, and urban studies, the lab investigates not only the economic efficiency of technologies but also their cultural narratives, environmental implications, and governance challenges. This interdisciplinary framework enables us to capture the complex, multi-layered impacts of technology on society, producing insights that are both academically rigorous and practically relevant, which inform policy, ethical frameworks, and societal adaptations.
Faculty Contacts:
Prof. Fan Liang
Assistant Professor of Media, Division of Social Sciences; Faculty Affiliate, Center for the Study of Contemporary China (CSCC) and Global Health Research Center; Lead for CSCC Digital Technology and Society Cluster, Duke Kunshan University
Prof. Liang’s research investigates the social and political dimensions of digital communication technologies and their governance. His scholarship, supported by major international foundations, has been published in leading communication and policy journals. At Duke Kunshan University, he integrates critical media studies into higher education, helping students to develop civic awareness and interdisciplinary skills. His teaching and mentorship emphasize student-led inquiry and collaboration in projects that bridge society, politics, and technology.
Prof. Luyao Zhang
Assistant Professor of Economics; Senior Research Scientist, Digital Technology Innovation Center; Co-lead for CSCC Digital Technology and Society Cluster, Founding Faculty Advisor for DKU AI and Finance Clubs, Duke Kunshan University
Prof. Zhang’s scholarship centers on the interplay of computational and economic sciences in the context of ground-breaking technologies. She has led initiatives to publish open educational resources and interdisciplinary student research, while integrating frontier technologies into pedagogy and research to advance society and humanity. Her leadership in undergraduate research, global experiential learning, community-based education, and innovation-focused events explores how higher education can empower students as interdisciplinary leaders and change-makers.
Prof. Charles Chang
Assistant Professor of Environment and Urban Studies; Affiliate in Computational Social Science and Digital Humanities, Co-lead for CSCC Digital Technology and Society Cluster, Duke Kunshan University
Prof. Chang is a computational social scientist studying how spatial, textual, and visual data shape political communication, urban environments, and information credibility. His book project, Technologies Affecting Information Exchange in Contemporary China: Green Leap Forward?, explores how urban environments influence political discourse. At Duke Kunshan University, he integrates data-driven methods into teaching and mentorship, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration in computational social science, urban informatics, and digital humanities.
