The State of Independent Technology Research 2025: Power in Numbers
A report on the struggle to keep public-interest technology research alive—and the growing Coalition working to protect it.
What's At Stake
Understanding how technology shapes society shouldn’t be dictated by corporate agendas or political interests. It should be driven by and for the public, because without independent research, we lose the ability to see clearly, choose wisely, and hold power accountable.
A Field Under Pressure
Our report – woven from the voices of Coalition members – doesn’t just lay out the facts. It tells the story of how independent tech research is being systematically undermined, as the need for it has never been greater. Funding is shrinking, access to essential data is blocked, and doing this work often comes with personal and professional risks. As researchers committed to supporting evidence-based governance of digital technologies and their impact on society, we know that this is not just a crisis for our field; it’s a crisis for everyone’s right to understand how technology is impacting our children, our communities, and our societies at large.
Our coalition’s experiences show that
We can’t get the information we need:60% of respondents face obstacles accessing the data needed to study technology’s impact.
We are having to choose between financial survival and research integrity:85% of respondents cite lack of funding as our biggest challenge.
Our safety and security is at risk:Nearly 70% of respondents report safety or security threats once unimaginable in our field.
These numbers aren’t abstract—they reflect real people, real sacrifices, and real questions being asked in service of the public good.
Understanding the truth about how technology shapes our lives shouldn’t be a luxury. It should be a public right. But as the need for independent research grows, the ability to do this work is being threatened.
We believe a better future is possible. One where researchers can ask hard questions without fear, where the public has access to trusted, independent information, and where the people who build technology that impacts our lives are held to account in the interest of all. But we can’t get there alone.
A Growing Movement
We are not idly standing by. Through collective advocacy, mutual aid, cross-border solidarity, and public education, Coalition members are working together to ensure that our work is protected, supported, and that we are free to ask the hard questions.
Support us today by reading and sharing our stories— and if you are a researcher, apply to join our Coalition.