From college research to Capitol Hill: Miami student explores future of media technology and public policy
Lauren Kelley ’25 also leads new short-form documentary series about college life for the Major Insight podcast
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Lauren Kelley captures audio with the student president of the Audubon Society for Major Insight's Sounds of College Life series
From college research to Capitol Hill: Miami student explores future of media technology and public policy
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Published
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Even though the 2024 presidential election is over, the political machine continues to turn. And very soon, the most targeted political content designed to shape policy, perception, and public discourse won’t even be created by anything human.
Because even during the recent election, AI was already being used in political ads across most digital and social platforms. But in the near future, its reach will encompass so much more.
"In five years, AI is likely going to be able to do entire political campaigns without any supervision," said Miami student Lauren Kelley ’25, a Strategic Communication and Individualized Studies double major with minors in Political Science and Film. “When does persuasion in advertising become manipulation? Is it right to use AI to influence voters without them even knowing it?"
These questions are central for Kelley’s research, which looks at AI implementation in political advertising, its ethical implications, and ways it could be regulated to ensure fairness and transparency.
They are also topics that weave throughout her Individualized Studies major, which she customized through Miami’s Western Program by pursuing an interest in tech policy in a global context.
“It's such a niche topic, but, lucky enough, I found a department that supports me in my research,” Kelley said. “Western gave me a lot of leeway on what I wanted to do with this major, and it's been very helpful to receive funding and support through the Western Program.”
It may be a niche area, but it’s had a broad impact on her college experience.
Kelley has been a recipient of the Menard Center for Democracy Fellowship, which supported a documentary project focusing on how the curation of art on social media and in museums contributes to a functioning democracy.
She has also served as a Congressional intern for the Office for International Leadership in D.C., where she curated weekly dispatches depicting the war in Ukraine, monitored press coverage, and assisted with event logistics for foreign delegation meetings on Capitol Hill.
After completing Miami’s Inside Washington program, she also studied abroad in Nicosia, Cyprus, where she explored U.S. political campaign strategies and the use of AI in campaign strategy as a research intern with ΓΝΩΡΑ (Gnora communications).
Now a senior and back on campus, Kelley is currently involved with the Government Relations Network and the Office of ASPIRE, where she assists with civic partnerships between the university and the wider community, and where she leads various media, communications, and storytelling-related projects.
“I love storytelling,” Kelley said. “Ultimately, I want to develop my storytelling skills, in a strategic way, to help other people uplift their voices, whether that's an organization, business, or nonprofit.”
This additional passion for storytelling also led Kelley to Miami’s Major Insight podcast.
As the newest member of Major Insight, Kelley serves as a campus correspondent by visiting student orgs to create short-form audio documentaries that showcase the social sides of college life.
Her first episode featuring Meeples, Miami’s Tabletop Gaming Club is available now. Future episodes include plans to cover the Equestrian Center, the Audubon Society, the Guitar Club’s ongoing pursuit to win a local Battle of the Bands competition, and more.
“What I love about these episodes is learning about all the different opportunities students have on campus, and how there's something here for everyone,” Kelley said. “That is absolutely true. But sometimes it can be difficult to navigate that experience because there are just so many opportunities. So it's been really amazing to explore these clubs.”
For Kelley, her passions for policy, politics, media, and technology have led to a dynamic and varied college experience, and balancing all the academic, social, and professional sides of campus life have been challenging
But they’ve also led to tremendous amounts of personal growth that were almost unimaginable before her journey began.
“My self-esteem has grown exponentially,” she said. “I am still figuring out how to place myself in a position to try new things, and to reach out to professors, even if that's a cold email to ask about an opportunity. So I’ve really gained confidence and time management skills, and overall, I'm finding more of what I want in a career.
Because even during the recent election, AI was already being used in political ads across most digital and social platforms. But in the near future, its reach will encompass so much more.
"In five years, AI is likely going to be able to do entire political campaigns without any supervision," said Miami student Lauren Kelley ’25, a Strategic Communication and Individualized Studies double major with minors in Political Science and Film. “When does persuasion in advertising become manipulation? Is it right to use AI to influence voters without them even knowing it?"
These questions are central for Kelley’s research, which looks at AI implementation in political advertising, its ethical implications, and ways it could be regulated to ensure fairness and transparency.
They are also topics that weave throughout her Individualized Studies major, which she customized through Miami’s Western Program by pursuing an interest in tech policy in a global context.
“It's such a niche topic, but, lucky enough, I found a department that supports me in my research,” Kelley said. “Western gave me a lot of leeway on what I wanted to do with this major, and it's been very helpful to receive funding and support through the Western Program.”
It may be a niche area, but it’s had a broad impact on her college experience.
Kelley has been a recipient of the Menard Center for Democracy Fellowship, which supported a documentary project focusing on how the curation of art on social media and in museums contributes to a functioning democracy.
She has also served as a Congressional intern for the Office for International Leadership in D.C., where she curated weekly dispatches depicting the war in Ukraine, monitored press coverage, and assisted with event logistics for foreign delegation meetings on Capitol Hill.
After completing Miami’s Inside Washington program, she also studied abroad in Nicosia, Cyprus, where she explored U.S. political campaign strategies and the use of AI in campaign strategy as a research intern with ΓΝΩΡΑ (Gnora communications).
Now a senior and back on campus, Kelley is currently involved with the Government Relations Network and the Office of ASPIRE, where she assists with civic partnerships between the university and the wider community, and where she leads various media, communications, and storytelling-related projects.
“I love storytelling,” Kelley said. “Ultimately, I want to develop my storytelling skills, in a strategic way, to help other people uplift their voices, whether that's an organization, business, or nonprofit.”
This additional passion for storytelling also led Kelley to Miami’s Major Insight podcast.
As the newest member of Major Insight, Kelley serves as a campus correspondent by visiting student orgs to create short-form audio documentaries that showcase the social sides of college life.
Her first episode featuring Meeples, Miami’s Tabletop Gaming Club is available now. Future episodes include plans to cover the Equestrian Center, the Audubon Society, the Guitar Club’s ongoing pursuit to win a local Battle of the Bands competition, and more.
“What I love about these episodes is learning about all the different opportunities students have on campus, and how there's something here for everyone,” Kelley said. “That is absolutely true. But sometimes it can be difficult to navigate that experience because there are just so many opportunities. So it's been really amazing to explore these clubs.”
For Kelley, her passions for policy, politics, media, and technology have led to a dynamic and varied college experience, and balancing all the academic, social, and professional sides of campus life have been challenging
But they’ve also led to tremendous amounts of personal growth that were almost unimaginable before her journey began.
“My self-esteem has grown exponentially,” she said. “I am still figuring out how to place myself in a position to try new things, and to reach out to professors, even if that's a cold email to ask about an opportunity. So I’ve really gained confidence and time management skills, and overall, I'm finding more of what I want in a career.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the Western Program, the Office of ASPIRE, or the Major Insight podcast? Visit their websites for more information.
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