New Forms of Targeted Transparency

Organizations—from government agencies to private companies—don’t always live up to public expectations. One way to address this gap is through targeted transparency: policies and tools that make specific information visible to the people who need it, with the goal of improving accountability.

In this talk, Gerrit von Zedlitz explores new and less-studied forms of targeted transparency—how they work, when they emerge, and whether they actually make a difference.

Project 1: Police Identification and Accountability

The first project looks at a straightforward idea: requiring masked police officers to wear visible ID numbers. Do these identifiers reduce the risk of excessive force?

To answer this question, the research examines what happened as German states introduced ID number requirements at different times. By combining this policy rollout with public records requests on reported incidents of police violence, injuries, and prosecution outcomes, the study evaluates whether greater transparency can lead to safer outcomes.

Project 2: Consumer Apps and Food Transparency

The second project turns to the marketplace. What happens when transparency doesn’t come from the government, but from consumers themselves?

This research studies crowdsourced food-scanning apps that allow shoppers to scan products, flag potentially risky ingredients, and publicly call out manufacturers. Using data from billions of scans and millions of consumer reports, the study analyzes how companies respond when consumers shine a light on their products.

Together, these projects shed light on how transparency—whether driven by the state or by the market—can influence behavior and strengthen accountability.

About the Speaker

Gerrit von Zedlitz is a fourth-year PhD candidate in Accounting at the University of Mannheim and a visiting researcher at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. His research sits at the intersection of business, economics, and political science and focuses on how transparency can serve as a practical tool for improving accountability when traditional regulatory approaches fall short.

His work examines topics including police identification requirements, consumer transparency in drug markets, and food retail scanning apps. He primarily uses real-world data and field experiments. Gerrit is also passionate about science communication and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Before beginning his PhD, he completed vocational training as a bank clerk and studied business administration in Mannheim, Toronto, and Oslo.

The discussion will be moderated by Archon Fung, Director, Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation and Winthrop Laflin McCormack Professor of Citizenship and Self-Government, Harvard Kennedy School.

Event Details

The event is sponsored by the Program on Democracy and the Informed Public. This event is open to Harvard ID holders only and registration is required.

The Program on Democracy and the Informed Public advances research and policy solutions that ensure individuals can access reliable, actionable information—empowering them to protect themselves from risks, vindicate their rights, and fulfill their responsibilities as citizens, workers, and consumers.

Light refreshments will be provided.