Han Zhang

I am a political sociologist and computational social scientist. My research examines how digital surveillance technologies—such as street cameras, facial recognition, and algorithmic systems—strengthen state capacity and alter state–society relations. In particular, I focus on how government surveillance influences collective action and social movements, bureaucratic behavior, and citizens’ perceptions of state control.

Methodologically, I use computer vision and text analysis to construct large-scale datasets on surveillance infrastructure and protest events from multimodal sources, including street-view imagery and social media content. I then apply causal inference—using both observational identification strategies and randomized experiments—to analyze these data.

I am the Young Family Assistant Professor of Sociology and International and Public Affairs at Brown University. I am jointly appointed in the Department of Sociology and the Watson School of International and Public Affairs. I am also affiliated with the Data Science Institute and Population Studies and Training Center (PSTC)

Before joining Brown, I worked as an Assistant Professor at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). I have also worked as a research intern at Microsoft Research in Asia and in New York City.

Feel free to send me an email with your CV if you are interested in working with me.