Dr Clifton van der Linden
Visiting Fellow
Dr Clifton van der Linden
Visiting Fellow
Clifton van der Linden is an associate professor of political science at McMaster University. He also serves as the director of the Digital Society Lab, an interdisciplinary research centre dedicated to the study of the complex societal transformations that have accompanied the digital age, and the Master of Public Policy program.
Dr. van der Linden is an expert in the study of public opinion and has co-authored more than 50 scientific papers spanning social science theory and applied data science. His research primarily explores how digital technologies influence patterns of democratic participation.
In addition to his academic work, Dr. van der Linden has founded and led numerous tech companies—from non-profits to Silicon Valley start-ups. He is presently the founder and chief executive officer of Vox Pop Labs, a social enterprise best known for producing Vote Compass—an online application run during election campaigns that surveys users and then calculates their alignment with candidates running for office. To date Vote Compass has been featured in more than 50 elections and referenda worldwide and has garnered more than 30 million users.
Dr. van der Linden has advised various governments on matters related to digital technology and public opinion. He is also a regular media contributor on issues pertaining to elections and public policy.