“Time after time, Ssozi has proven himself to be a reliable, dedicated, and thoughtful collaborator. He is deeply committed individual who has a knack for introducing new perspectives to familiar topics.” – Brian Ekdale

Hometown: Kampala, Uganda

Faculty mentor/advisor: Brian Ekdale, PhD, professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

Degree program and anticipated graduation date: PhD in mass communication, Spring 2026

Javie Ssozi studies how digital technologies shape and are shaped by society. His dissertation examines tensions between digital platforms, national governments, and users in the United States, Canada, and Uganda, exploring how these conflicts influence public perceptions of technology and governance.

“Being involved in research at the University of Iowa has given me the opportunity to work with and receive mentorship from incredible scholars,” says Ssozi.

Ssozi’s research spans topics from algorithmic personalization to social media radicalization and online influence campaigns. He has published in leading journals, earned multiple top paper awards, and serves as managing editor of the Journal of Communication Inquiry. His work with the Center for Publics, Platforms, and Personalization has supported major projects funded by the U.S. Department of Defense’s Minerva Research Initiative.

After graduation, Ssozi plans to pursue a tenure-track faculty position, continuing to advance scholarship on technology and society.