RESEARCH AGENDA

Platform Imaginaries: Explorations of how ranking systems, algorithmic recommendations, and digital grammars co-produce imaginaries, practices, values, and platform-specific appropriations.

Algorithmic Practices: Studies examining cultures of use, appropriations, and the reconfiguration of practice repertoires driven by interactions with digital platforms.

Digital Methods: Investigations into epistemological and methodological questions related to analyzing algorithm-mediated phenomena. This includes developing, implementing, and applying computational tools for data visualization and digital media research.

Data Visualization: Research and projects focused on digital data storytelling, along with strategies for collecting, processing, and visualizing patterns in data. These approaches leverage data visualization as a tool for decision-making and for interpreting complex phenomena.

Imaginaries

Practices

Methods

DataViz

Scientific & Technical Work

PUBLICATIONS

Omena, Janna Joceli, Thais Lobo, Giulia Tucci, Elias Bitencourt, Emillie de Keulenaar, Francisco Kerche, Jason Chao, et al. Quali-Quanti Visual Methods and Political Bots: A Cross-Platform Study of pro- & Anti-Bolsobots. Journal of Digital Social Research 6, no. 1 (March 6, 2024): 50–73. https://doi.org/10.33621/jdsr.v6i1.215.

Omena, Janna Joceli, Elias Bitencourt, Jason Chao, Ana Marta Flores, Rita Sepúlveda, Luca Draisci, Anton Berg, et al. DMI Cross Vision-API Studies: Digital Methodologies for Understanding Computer Vision, 2023. https://www.digitalmethods.net/Dmi/WinterSchool2023CrossVisionApiStudies.

Lavrov, Ilya, Chiara Miozzo, Franziska Schranz, and Elias Bitencourt. Insta Pop: Exploring How Different Populist Leaders Are Using Instagram to Promote Their Agendas, 2022. https://metodosdigitais.fcsh.unl.pt/?page_id=2937.

Bitencourt, Elias, and João Guilherme Bastos dos Santos. Gramming #covid19, Reframing the Pandemic: Exploring How Algorithms and User Practices Shape COVID-19 Imaginaries on Instagram over Time, 2021.https://metodosdigitais.fcsh.unl.pt/?page_id=2208.

2021-2024

Bitencourt, E. (2025). Beyond design: Algorithmic interfaces as epistemological Agent. Revista Matrizes. (No prelo).

Bitencourt, E. C., & Rodrigues, L. P. B. (2025). Exploring digital communication practices in social media: A case study using custom term weighting methodology. In Sage Research Methods Data and Research Literacy: Case Study (No prelo).

2025

At Datalab, we support the academic community and civil society partners by providing the intellectual and technical resources needed to develop innovative projects.

Beyond producing scientific research, we’re committed to turning knowledge into practical applications that connect the university with civil society and industry.

We believe that bridging the gap between academia, industry, NGOs, and the market creates opportunities for both scientific and professional growth, better aligned with the demands of today’s society.

Here’s what we can do for you:

• Create tailored technical reports and data visualizations.

• Offer expert consulting on the analysis, collection, and interpretation of digital phenomena.

• Develop tools, solutions, and digital research methods for working with online platforms.

• Provide courses and training for students or teams on digital research tools, methods, and strategies.

Reports

Consulting

Softwares

Training

WHAT WE OFFER

PARTNERS