Smidge Project

A few weeks ago, we shared a blog article by Professor Jason Lee discussing how cryptids like Bigfoot and Mothman are more than just campfire stories; they reflect our cultural anxieties, online identities, and the myths we still crave.

If you missed it, you can read it here 👉

📢 SmidgeCast marks its 10th episode with a compelling new discussion.

In this edition, we speak with Christian Gulas (FASResearch, Vienna) to explore how moral framing and emotional intensity shape virality—often at the expense of democratic integrity.

🎙️ Listen now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=40Qp...

AI’s power to track, trace & influence behavior raises big ethical questions for researchers.
How do we conduct responsible digital research in an AI-driven world? In the latest episode of #SmidgeCast, Sara Wilford unpacks the challenges of surveillance and algorithmic regulation.
🎧 buff.ly/DjUmZtB

📢 At #ECP2025, Dr. Vasiliki Christodoulou (UCLan Cyprus) shared findings from the EU-funded SMIDGE Project on how core human values influence belief in conspiracies online. Maura de Vos highlighted that boosting reasoning in adults 45–65 can help fight misinformation.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/ZppWeFH

🔍 What connects Bigfoot, memes, and hauntology? In his new blog, Professor Jason Lee explores how cryptids like Bigfoot and Mothman have become cultural symbols in the digital age, reflecting societal anxieties and environmental concerns. Explore these fascinating connections: buff.ly/jiAKA0X

YouTube video by Smidge Project SMIDGE Webinar: Radicalisation and Extremist Narratives – Quo Vadis?

📢 Missed the SMIDGE webinar “Radicalisation and Extremist Narratives – Quo Vadis?”?

Catch up here 👉 youtube.com/watch?v=SRO0...

Experts from the #SmidgeProject, @arenasproject.bsky.social and @oppattune.bsky.social shared insights on radicalisation, #disinformation and collaboration across Europe.

📢 The webinar “Radicalisation and Extremist Narratives – Quo Vadis?” has just started!

Dr. Sara Wilford opens with an introduction to the #SmidgeProject, sharing key insights and lessons learned so far. @linenybro.bsky.social highlights the work completed and introduces the concept of HYPE.

🎙️ New SmidgeCast episode!

How should governments, platforms, and researchers respond to the ethical risks posed by emerging technologies like #AI?
Dr. Sara Wilford from DMU shares insights from the #SMIDGEProject on some of today’s biggest ethical challenge👉 www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMdi...

This is a space to share your knowledge, learn from other experts, and build lasting collaboration in this critical field.
@arenasproject.bsky.social @oppattune.bsky.social

Join us for the 5th #SmidgeWebinar on June 12!

Together with researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders, we will explore how to better understand and counter radicalisation, extremist narratives, and #disinformation.

🔗 Register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c79b1d...

Good morning from Pristina, Kosovo! 🇽🇰
The Smidge team is ready for a two-day #SmidgeProject consortium meeting. After two years of progress, we are gathering to review work packages and plan our next steps.

To participate in this engaging dialogue please register here: events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c79b1d...

📌 Join us for our upcoming #SmidgeWebinar on June 12.

This event will be hosted by KCSS in partnership with @inclusiveeurope.bsky.social and will feature speakers from #SMIDGE, @arenasproject.bsky.social and OppAttune

Spaces of Hybridized Prefatory Extremism (HYPE) on Social Media - Line Nybro Petersen, Mikkel Bækby Johansen, 2025 New trends in online extremism are currently unsettling the typical classifications used to assess violent threats to democratic societies. While extremism is u...

Very happy to finally see our article "Spaces of Hybridized Prefatory Extremism (HYPE) on Social Media" in print on Social Media + Society

journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...

Learn more about Horizon Europe and our sister projects SMIDGE @smidgeproject.bsky.social and OppAttune @oppattune.bsky.social on our website at arenasproject.eu/horizon-euro....

#ARENASproject #HorizonEU #ResponsestoExtremistNarratives #Gender
#Nation #Science

Youth Empowered Against Disinformation and Extremism As part of broader efforts aligned with the Smidge Project’s objectives, a dynamic youth workshop was held in Gjakova, Kosovo, bringing together 25 students from the University of "Fehmi Agani" to…

During a recent workshop in Gjakova, students from the University of "Fehmi Agani" explored key findings from the #SmidgeProject on radicalization, #extremism & #disinformation.

Our colleagues from @KCSS presented insights from reports D4.6 & D4.1.

🔗 Read more: buff.ly/hEs33dz

This edition highlights:

-The launch of our new extremist content database platform
-Development of counter-narrative resources including a MOOC, documentary, and digital content
-Insights from international conferences and new podcast episodes
-Latest blog


📢 The SMIDGE Newsletter #4 is Out Now! This edition marks two years of research, collaboration, and action against online extremism and misinformation targeting middle-aged individuals.
📥 Read the full newsletter here: www.smidgeproject.eu/_files/ugd/e...

📢 Another productive SMIDGE consortium meeting in the books!
We reflected on our progress and outlined next steps for the final year. Our next meeting will be hosted in Kosovo — and we are looking forward to being in the same room again.

Our third newsletter is on its way! 📩 If you haven't registered yet, now's the perfect time. Sign up at buff.ly/46uxNH4 to stay updated on all the latest news from the SMIDGE Project.

📢 Katrine Krogh Pedersen presented research co-authored with @linenybro.bsky.social at the Society for Cinema and Media Studies conference in Chicago. The presentation was titled “Far-Right Campaigning Through Fan Edits and Authored Content in the Dilley Meme Team.”

Sara Wilford Discusses the SMIDGE Project in Exclusive Interview with Nikkei Dr. Sara Wilford from De Montfort University recently spoke with Nikkei, one of Japan’s most prominent newspapers, about the SMIDGE Project. Following the interview, Nikkei published an article…

🗞️ New Interview Alert
Dr. @Sara_Wilford spoke with Japan’s leading newspaper @nikkei about the #SMIDGEProject — urging a shift in focus and highlighting how middle-aged individuals are key players in misinformation and radicalisation.
To know more:

🔍 Why do conspiracy theories persist even when debunked? Vesa Shatri (@KCSSQKSS) explores how the SMIDGE Database helps researchers, journalists, and everyday users track and analyse misleading narratives.

🔗To read the full article: www.smidgeproject.eu/post/counter...

📢 Giovanni Ziccardi's powerful reminder: "Keep Calm, Double-Check and Be Skeptical."
In today’s information overload, pausing to confirm facts and seek diverse perspectives is crucial to prevent misinformation from spreading.
Listen to the latest SmidgeCast: buff.ly/fQCmEvJ

#Misinformation

Empowering Thinking Skills to Address Today’s Challenges In this episode of Smidgecast, we’re joined by Kalypso Iordanou, Professor of Psychology at UCLan Cyprus, for an insightful conversation on the power of crit...

💡 We also discussed critical thinking with Kalypso Iordanou, Professor of Psychology at UCLan Cyprus during an episode of the #SmidgeCast.

If you missed it, listen here: buff.ly/Tg3XZJw

Why Critical Thinking is More Important Than Ever Discover why Critical Thinking is crucial in today's info-saturated world. Learn how Critical Thinking helps navigate misinformation and bia

New from @TITAN_Thinking: Why Critical Thinking is More Important Than Ever?

In an age of information overload, critical thinking is essential. With disinformation spreading fast and algorithms shaping perception, independent analysis is crucial.
Learn more: buff.ly/g5HYGuY

#Misinformation has always existed, but in our digital age, it spreads faster. The challenge is not spotting the lies but having the time to check them.
Listen to the new# SmidgeCast episode here: buff.ly/fQCmEvJ

Artificial Intelligence in the Service of Verification – EDMO Connect with us

A recent report from @edmo-eu.bsky.social explores #AI's role in combating online #disinformation. It highlights automated fact-checking, text analysis, and deepfake detection, while addressing AI's potential, limitations, & ethical challenges.
🔗 Read more:

🎙️ New SmidgeCast episode! Who should be responsible for fact-checking in the digital age? Where’s the line between regulation & free speech?

We discuss it all with Prof. Giovanni Ziccardi from the University of Milan.

Listen to the full episode here: buff.ly/6MkefCu

SMIDGE’s latest article by Vesa Shatri from KCSS explores how SMIDGE’s research informs policy and practice, tracking extremist messaging across platforms like TikTok and Telegram.

🔗 To know more: buff.ly/ITQE6yB