Voucher Call for Proposals (Seed Data Grants)
Up to 10,000 Social Media Mentions available for Accepted Proposals (see RFP for details).
Submit your proposal now for spring/summer 2025 data. Resources are limited—apply early!
SMART Lab Services
Data Scraping & Mining
Access to extensive social media data from platforms like Twitter/X, Facebook, Instagram, and more. We also mine traditional media sources including web, print, and broadcast media.
Research Support
Assistance with the design and execution of media-based research, providing expertise in data acquisition and analysis.
Training & Workshops
Opportunities for students and faculty to gain hands-on experience with media data through courses, workshops, and events.
Industry Insights
Tailored media analysis for businesses, helping brands understand consumer sentiment, measure their footprint and assess consumer engagement.
Mission
SMART Lab empowers interdisciplinary research, education, and public engagement by providing centralized access to media data and advanced analytics. Through our tools and expertise, we help researchers, students, and businesses address complex challenges, fostering a more informed and connected society.
History
SMART Lab has evolved from the **Public Insight Lab (PIL)**, which was created in 2021 to support social media-related research at the University of Nebraska. Despite its modest beginnings with minimal staffing, PIL quickly became a hub for interdisciplinary projects. By 2024, the lab had grown into a core facility, now known as SMART Lab, expanding its services and capabilities.
Over the years, SMART Lab has forged partnerships with multiple university departments and industry clients, securing significant external funding from federal agencies such as NOAA and the USDA. The lab continues to expand its offerings, with a goal of becoming fully self-sufficient by 2029.
About Us
The Social (And Traditional) Media Analytics and Research Tools Lab (SMART Lab) is a cutting-edge research facility within the University of Nebraska system. It was developed in 2024 to address the growing need for comprehensive social and traditional media analysis. Rooted in the College of Journalism & Mass Communications, the SMART Lab builds on the foundation laid by the Public Insight Lab, established in 2021.
Current Projects
Sports Commentary
Our project assesses fan disclosure on social media around the most attended women's college sports event in history
Drought Conversations
The National Drought Mitigation Center has been utilizing SMART-Lab's tools to analyze public discussions about drought, with $1.25 million in USDA funding.
2024 US Elections
The SMART Lab team analyzed real-time conversations among Nebraskans and provided insight for student journalists reporting live at the College of Journalism and Mass Communications (CoJMC).
Hurricane Preparedness on Social Media
Funded by NOAA, this project examines how stakeholders discuss hurricane preparedness on social media platforms.
Tutorial
Co-Directors
Collaborate with Us
Address: 310 Andersen Hall
Email: smartlab@unl.edu