---
title: "Acknowledgements"
description: "This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals: Primary researchers Athena Chapekis, Computational Social Scientist Arnold Lau, Former Research Methodologist Andrew Mercer, Principal Research Methodologist Samuel Bestvater, Associate Director, Data Labs Sono Shah, Former Associate Director, Data Labs Research team Aaron Smith, Director, Data Labs Anna Brown, […]"
date: "2026-09-30"
authors:
  - name: "Athena Chapekis"
    job_title: "Computational Social Scientist"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/athena-chapekis/"
  - name: "Arnold Lau"
    job_title: "Research Methodologist"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/arnold-lau/"
  - name: "Samuel Bestvater"
    job_title: "Associate Director, Data Labs"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/samuel-bestvater/"
  - name: "Sono Shah"
    job_title: "Former Associate Director, Research"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/sono-shah/"
  - name: "Andrew Mercer"
    job_title: "Principal Methodologist"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/andrew-mercer/"
  - name: "Aaron Smith"
    job_title: "Director, Data Labs"
    link: "https://www.pewresearch.org/staff/aaron-smith/"
url: "https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2026/09/30/acknowledgements-silicon-samples/"
categories:
  - "Artificial Intelligence"
  - "Methodological Research"
  - "Uncategorized"
---

# Acknowledgements

This report is a collaborative effort based on the input and analysis of the following individuals:

#### Primary researchers

Athena Chapekis, *Computational Social Scientist*

Arnold Lau, *Former Research Methodologist*

Andrew Mercer, *Principal Research Methodologist*

Samuel Bestvater, *Associate Director, Data Labs*

Sono Shah, *Former Associate Director, Data Labs*

#### Research team

Aaron Smith, *Director, Data Labs*

Anna Brown, *Senior Survey Manager*

Skyler Seets, *Computational Social Science Assistant*

Anna Lieb, *Computational Social Science Analyst*

Kaitlyn Radde, *Computational Social Science Assistant*

#### Editorial and graphic design

Carson TerBush, *Associate Information Graphics Designer*

Anna Jackson, *Editorial Specialist*

#### Communications and web publishing

Sogand Afkari, *New Media Manager*

DeVonte Smith, *Communications Associate*

Nida Asheer, *Senior Communications Manager*

Janakee Chavda, *Associate Digital Producer*

Joy Li, *Assistant Digital Producer*

Alexander Basescu, *Content Strategy Analyst*

In addition, the project benefited greatly from the guidance of Rachel Drian, Courtney Kennedy, Ashley Amaya, Scott Keeter and Claudia Deane.

---

**Next:** [Methodology](https://www.pewresearch.org/data-labs/2026/09/30/methodology-silicon-samples.md)