From the School of Humanities and Communication Sciences, a pioneering four-year project titled 'Knowledge, attitudes and opinions of the Spanish population on internet algorithms and the design of Critical Algorithm Literacies (AlgorLit)' has been launched. This project, funded by the State Plan for R&D&I and led by researchers Tamara Vázquez Barrio and María Sánchez Valle, aims to study the knowledge, attitudes and opinions of Spanish citizens towards algorithms, highlighting consensuses and differences based on age, gender, educational level, and place of residence. As a result of the project, citizens will learn how algorithms work and be able to increase their engagement so that, through user-algorithm interactions, they can make informed decisions, be protected from undue influences, and contribute to more ethical and free algorithmic decision-making and creation.

The methodology is based on the application of innovative techniques including computational analysis of online conversation, physiological measurements obtained through neurotechnology experiments and concept mapping. This research aims to provide accurate data on user experiences, perceptions and interactions with platforms based on these algorithmic processes, so that, once strengths and weaknesses have been identified, algorithmic literacy programs will be proposed and tested to help society overcome the distortions, biases and lack of diversity in content recommendations.

Following a detailed review of existing literature, to be updated in relation to research of interest arising in the development of the project, the following steps involve the design and implementation of the selected methodologies. At this stage, focus groups are being planned in a number of Spanish provinces and a representative survey of the national population is scheduled to be conducted by July. This will be followed by neuroscience experiments in the purpose-built NeuroLabCom Laboratory of the School of Humanities and Communication Sciences, computational techniques to collect social tracking data as well as an interdisciplinary panel of experts and professionals to assess the conclusions drawn.

The principal researchers are lecturers Tamara Vázquez Barrio and María Sánchez Valle who will lead the research team made up of faculty members from Universidad CEU San Pablo (Leopoldo Abad Alcalá, Ignacio Blanco Alfonso, Esther Cervera Barriga, Laura González Díez, Mariché Navío Navarro, Luis Nuñez Ladeveze, Marilé Pretel Jiménez and María Solano Altaba) and Loyola University (Teresa Torrecillas Lacave and Marta Pérez Escolar).

Developments, findings and reports on the publication of scientific articles, the opening of workshops or participation in conferences and seminars can be viewed on the project's website and on its social networks.