Nathaniel Persily, JD ‘98, James B. McClatchy Professor of Law, was appointed special master by the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina to redraw North Carolina’s legislative districts and as an advisor to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to assist it in redrawing the state’s congressional districts. This is in response to court orders in both states ruling the existing plans unconstitutional.

Persily also co-developed an innovative model for industry-academic partnerships that allow for data access to further social science research. Facebook is adopting this model in its new initiative to help provide independent, credible research about the role of social media in elections, as well as democracy more generally.