Strengthening Democracies: Building Resilience and Resistance to Information Disorders

About

Truth struggles to compete with falsehoods, and democracies face a persistent challenge: information disorder. From hybrid warfare tactics to AI-generated content, the flood of information in today’s attention economy polarises societies and strains civil discourse.

This summer school offers a clear, structured look at these issues through the lens of media and communication. Over two weeks, participants will explore why public discussion spaces falter, how disinformation spreads, and what practical steps can strengthen resilience. Drawing on media studies, scientific literacy, and critical analysis, the course blends conceptual understanding with applied exercises, helping participants navigate the complexities of information disorder in both academic and professional contexts.

Course leader

Maria Murumaa-Mengel • Ragne Kõuts-Klemm • Andra Siibak • Marju Himma • Ebe Pilt • Maia Klaassen • Inger Klesment • Anna Danielyan • Gretel Juhansoo

Target group

bachelor's, master's, lifelong learners

Course aim

- Explain the concept of information disorder and its impact on democratic societies and public discourse.
- Identify key mechanisms and narratives that drive disinformation across news and social media platforms.
- Evaluate the quality and relevance of information sources, including academic research and media content.
- Apply basic principles of scientific literacy and source criticism when engaging with complex information environments.
- Recognise emerging challenges posed by AI-generated content and understand their implications for trust and credibility.
- Describe resilience strategies at individual, institutional, and policy levels, including media and information literacy interventions.
- Perform introductory OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tasks to locate and verify publicly available information.

Fee info