Description: Although platforms regularly conduct their own internal research, many of the problems facing platforms are actively studied by external researchers. From international human rights law to political philosophy to media and communication studies, there is a rich body of scholarship on which platforms can and do draw when trying to tackle nuanced, culturally-specific, and ethically sensitive work related to content, behavior, and actors in the digital space. But how, exactly, should this engagement with external experts be pursued? What does engagement with experts look like at its best? This session will discuss the benefits and challenges of online platforms seeking and incorporating external expertise into their policy development process. The session will begin with an overview of the opportunities and challenges of engaging experts (5 minutes). Speakers will then share their experiences (10 minutes each). 1. Jeffrey Howard will offer a framework for how philosophers and social scientists should contribute to the development of content policy. He will discuss the particular challenges that arise when policy depends upon contested empirical claims and value-judgments on which experts themselves disagree. 2. Conor Sanchez will describe case studies that demonstrate how Meta's engagements with academics and independent researchers have tangibly impacted policy decisions. 3. Naomi Shiffman will share how the Oversight Board contributes to policy development and highlight how she built the academic and research partnerships program at CrowdTangle. During the next 20 minutes, the moderator will lead attendees in a discussion. Questions include: 1. What are the obstacles to expert engagement, and how can they be overcome? 2. What models of collaboration have proven successful? How can these be replicated? 3. How can NGOs, policymakers, and platforms sustain engagement throughout the policy cycle? The final 5 minutes summarize key insights and actionable recommendations to incorporate external expertise in policy development.