Workshop explored research and safety on TikTok in Lisbon

Lusófona University hosted the workshop “Empowering Research on TikTok” on 25 March. The initiative brought together students, researchers and participants interested in better understanding the platform’s potential for academic purposes and data analysis.

The session featured Nikki Soo, responsible for public policy on safety and digital well-being at TikTok in the European Union. During her intervention, topics such as disinformation, online behaviour and the impact of digital technologies on society were addressed.

Throughout the workshop, the TikTok Research Tools were presented, enabling access to public data on content and accounts. These tools were demonstrated as useful resources for different fields of study, from trend analysis and marketing to research on media literacy and digital trust.

Participants were also given practical examples of application, as well as detailed guidance on the application process for accessing the data. The session included an interactive Q&A segment, encouraging direct dialogue with experts.

Moderation was led by James Dennis, a researcher at CICANT, who framed the discussion within the context of political communication, journalism and civic participation in digital environments.

The event also provided a reflection on career pathways, highlighting the transition between academia and the technology industry.