Smidge Project
@smidgeproject.bsky.social
#HorizonEU project analysing online extremist narratives' impact on middle-aged individuals | #disinformation #conspiracytheories #extremism
www.smidgeproject.eu
www.smidgeproject.eu
📢 In an article published by @theguardian.com, the #SmidgeProject was highlighted as one of the few initiatives exploring how conspiracy theories and disinformation spread among middle-aged adults.
Read the full article here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Read the full article here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Meet gen X: middle-aged, enraged and radicalised by internet bile | Gaby Hinsliff
Who is driving the populist insurgency? It’s not grumpy pensioners or vulnerable teenagers – it’s my generation, says Guardian columnist Gaby Hinsliff
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 2:22 PM
📢 In an article published by @theguardian.com, the #SmidgeProject was highlighted as one of the few initiatives exploring how conspiracy theories and disinformation spread among middle-aged adults.
Read the full article here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Read the full article here: www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
🎞️ Have you had the opportunity to watch “A Family Tea”?
This short film, produced by De Montfort University and Hamlett Films for the #SMIDGEProject, explores trust, belonging, and everyday dialogue.
🎥 Watch the full video here: lnkd.in/eMBhr6Cw
This short film, produced by De Montfort University and Hamlett Films for the #SMIDGEProject, explores trust, belonging, and everyday dialogue.
🎥 Watch the full video here: lnkd.in/eMBhr6Cw
A Family Tea | Official Release
YouTube video by Smidge Project
www.youtube.com
October 23, 2025 at 9:13 AM
🎞️ Have you had the opportunity to watch “A Family Tea”?
This short film, produced by De Montfort University and Hamlett Films for the #SMIDGEProject, explores trust, belonging, and everyday dialogue.
🎥 Watch the full video here: lnkd.in/eMBhr6Cw
This short film, produced by De Montfort University and Hamlett Films for the #SMIDGEProject, explores trust, belonging, and everyday dialogue.
🎥 Watch the full video here: lnkd.in/eMBhr6Cw
📚 Mikkel Bækby Johansen (UCPH) has published a new open access article in Popular Communication as part of the SMIDGE Project: “The Exchange Model of Mainstreaming.”
🔗 Read the full article:
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🔗 Read the full article:
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
tandfonline.com
October 20, 2025 at 1:06 PM
📚 Mikkel Bækby Johansen (UCPH) has published a new open access article in Popular Communication as part of the SMIDGE Project: “The Exchange Model of Mainstreaming.”
🔗 Read the full article:
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
🔗 Read the full article:
tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....
📢 A Family Tea is out now!
Developed by @dmu.ac.uk in collaboration with
Hamlett Films, this short film is part of the SMIDGE research project.
A Family Tea explores how personal experiences shape conversations about truth, trust, and belonging.
🎥Watch the full video: youtube.com/watch?v=jQeT...
Developed by @dmu.ac.uk in collaboration with
Hamlett Films, this short film is part of the SMIDGE research project.
A Family Tea explores how personal experiences shape conversations about truth, trust, and belonging.
🎥Watch the full video: youtube.com/watch?v=jQeT...
A Family Tea | Official Release
YouTube video by Smidge Project
youtube.com
October 9, 2025 at 12:26 PM
📢 A Family Tea is out now!
Developed by @dmu.ac.uk in collaboration with
Hamlett Films, this short film is part of the SMIDGE research project.
A Family Tea explores how personal experiences shape conversations about truth, trust, and belonging.
🎥Watch the full video: youtube.com/watch?v=jQeT...
Developed by @dmu.ac.uk in collaboration with
Hamlett Films, this short film is part of the SMIDGE research project.
A Family Tea explores how personal experiences shape conversations about truth, trust, and belonging.
🎥Watch the full video: youtube.com/watch?v=jQeT...
Reposted by Smidge Project
The role of social media in connecting those with far-right views is the subject of a new investigation in The Guardian, drawing on research carried out by DMU’s Dr Sara Wilford.
Dr Wilford leads the pioneering Europe-wide SMIDGE project (@smidgeproject.bsky.social).
Dr Wilford leads the pioneering Europe-wide SMIDGE project (@smidgeproject.bsky.social).
September 30, 2025 at 10:33 AM
The role of social media in connecting those with far-right views is the subject of a new investigation in The Guardian, drawing on research carried out by DMU’s Dr Sara Wilford.
Dr Wilford leads the pioneering Europe-wide SMIDGE project (@smidgeproject.bsky.social).
Dr Wilford leads the pioneering Europe-wide SMIDGE project (@smidgeproject.bsky.social).
At the ENgaGE Symposium, part of the GEMS Project, Sara Wilford presented the #Smidgeproject results. The event gathered 72 participants from across Europe to address the exploitation of gaming ecosystems by extremist actors.
August 21, 2025 at 12:23 PM
At the ENgaGE Symposium, part of the GEMS Project, Sara Wilford presented the #Smidgeproject results. The event gathered 72 participants from across Europe to address the exploitation of gaming ecosystems by extremist actors.
📢 New Blog Article: “New Territories, Old Enemies”
In this latest piece, Pia-Katharina Pallasch from KCSS
explores Germany’s digital journey, from Merkel’s “internet is new territory” to today’s #cybersecurity, #disinformation & extremism challenges.
👉Full article smidgeproject.eu/post/new-ter...
In this latest piece, Pia-Katharina Pallasch from KCSS
explores Germany’s digital journey, from Merkel’s “internet is new territory” to today’s #cybersecurity, #disinformation & extremism challenges.
👉Full article smidgeproject.eu/post/new-ter...
New Territories, Old Enemies
In 2013, during President Barack Obama’s visit to Berlin, former German Chancellor Angela Merkel declared “Das Internet ist für uns alle Neuland” (“The internet is new territory for all of us”). Overn...
smidgeproject.eu
August 21, 2025 at 8:04 AM
📢 New Blog Article: “New Territories, Old Enemies”
In this latest piece, Pia-Katharina Pallasch from KCSS
explores Germany’s digital journey, from Merkel’s “internet is new territory” to today’s #cybersecurity, #disinformation & extremism challenges.
👉Full article smidgeproject.eu/post/new-ter...
In this latest piece, Pia-Katharina Pallasch from KCSS
explores Germany’s digital journey, from Merkel’s “internet is new territory” to today’s #cybersecurity, #disinformation & extremism challenges.
👉Full article smidgeproject.eu/post/new-ter...
Reposted by Smidge Project
🎧 All 8 episodes of the first ARENAS Podcast are live!
Extreme Europe, an eight-part series produced by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona @uab.cat, explores how extremism has taken shape across 10 European countries.
Extreme Europe, an eight-part series produced by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona @uab.cat, explores how extremism has taken shape across 10 European countries.
August 14, 2025 at 3:30 PM
🎧 All 8 episodes of the first ARENAS Podcast are live!
Extreme Europe, an eight-part series produced by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona @uab.cat, explores how extremism has taken shape across 10 European countries.
Extreme Europe, an eight-part series produced by the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona @uab.cat, explores how extremism has taken shape across 10 European countries.
📌Our colleague @linenybro.bsky.social from the University of Copenhagen presented the #SMIDGEProject results at the NordMedia 2025 in Odense, Denmark.
Discover more about the conference: nordmedianetwork.org/nordmedia-co...
#NORDIS #NordMedia2025
Discover more about the conference: nordmedianetwork.org/nordmedia-co...
#NORDIS #NordMedia2025
NordMedia Conference 2025 - NordMedia Network
NordMedia25: Imagining Livable Futures 13–15 August 2025, with doctoral pre-conference on 12 August Venue: University of Southern Denmark (SDU) For...
nordmedianetwork.org
August 21, 2025 at 7:20 AM
📌Our colleague @linenybro.bsky.social from the University of Copenhagen presented the #SMIDGEProject results at the NordMedia 2025 in Odense, Denmark.
Discover more about the conference: nordmedianetwork.org/nordmedia-co...
#NORDIS #NordMedia2025
Discover more about the conference: nordmedianetwork.org/nordmedia-co...
#NORDIS #NordMedia2025
Reposted by Smidge Project
@smidgeproject.bsky.social, a Horizon Europe sister project of ARENAS, explores how extremist narratives affect Europe’s middle-aged populations.
SMIDGE Project is currently conducting a survey, and they want to hear from policymakers, companies, platforms, and associations!
SMIDGE Project is currently conducting a survey, and they want to hear from policymakers, companies, platforms, and associations!
July 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
@smidgeproject.bsky.social, a Horizon Europe sister project of ARENAS, explores how extremist narratives affect Europe’s middle-aged populations.
SMIDGE Project is currently conducting a survey, and they want to hear from policymakers, companies, platforms, and associations!
SMIDGE Project is currently conducting a survey, and they want to hear from policymakers, companies, platforms, and associations!
🎥 New counter-narrative videos from the SMIDGE Project are coming soon!
Jason Lee, Prof. of Film, Media & Culture at De Montfort University, discusses the university’s role in their development.
🔗 Watch the full interview: buff.ly/ZNWoGXq
Jason Lee, Prof. of Film, Media & Culture at De Montfort University, discusses the university’s role in their development.
🔗 Watch the full interview: buff.ly/ZNWoGXq
August 12, 2025 at 10:19 AM
🎥 New counter-narrative videos from the SMIDGE Project are coming soon!
Jason Lee, Prof. of Film, Media & Culture at De Montfort University, discusses the university’s role in their development.
🔗 Watch the full interview: buff.ly/ZNWoGXq
Jason Lee, Prof. of Film, Media & Culture at De Montfort University, discusses the university’s role in their development.
🔗 Watch the full interview: buff.ly/ZNWoGXq
📌For the past 2 and a half years, the #SmidgeProject has been tackling online extremism and disinformation targeted at middle-aged adults.
But what exactly have we achieved so far and what’s coming next?
🎥 Discover our progress, insights, and upcoming initiatives in this video: buff.ly/CtagVVh
But what exactly have we achieved so far and what’s coming next?
🎥 Discover our progress, insights, and upcoming initiatives in this video: buff.ly/CtagVVh
August 5, 2025 at 10:19 AM
📌For the past 2 and a half years, the #SmidgeProject has been tackling online extremism and disinformation targeted at middle-aged adults.
But what exactly have we achieved so far and what’s coming next?
🎥 Discover our progress, insights, and upcoming initiatives in this video: buff.ly/CtagVVh
But what exactly have we achieved so far and what’s coming next?
🎥 Discover our progress, insights, and upcoming initiatives in this video: buff.ly/CtagVVh
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 👉
If you missed it, you can read it here 👉
buff.ly
July 28, 2025 at 10:19 AM
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 👉
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...
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...
July 23, 2025 at 10:19 AM
📢 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...
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
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
July 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
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
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
🔗 Read more: buff.ly/ZppWeFH
July 15, 2025 at 10:19 AM
📢 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
🔗 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
July 12, 2025 at 3:50 PM
🔍 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
📢 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.
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.
SMIDGE Webinar: Radicalisation and Extremist Narratives – Quo Vadis?
YouTube video by Smidge Project
youtube.com
June 26, 2025 at 1:17 PM
📢 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.
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.
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.
June 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
📢 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.
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...
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...
June 12, 2025 at 9:19 AM
🎙️ 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...
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...
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...
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...
May 30, 2025 at 7:20 AM
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...
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.
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.
May 20, 2025 at 8:31 AM
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.
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.
📌 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
This event will be hosted by KCSS in partnership with @inclusiveeurope.bsky.social and will feature speakers from #SMIDGE, @arenasproject.bsky.social and OppAttune
May 15, 2025 at 2:28 PM
📌 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
This event will be hosted by KCSS in partnership with @inclusiveeurope.bsky.social and will feature speakers from #SMIDGE, @arenasproject.bsky.social and OppAttune
Reposted by Smidge Project
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/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
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...
journals.sagepub.com
May 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
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/...
journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Smidge Project
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
#ARENASproject #HorizonEU #ResponsestoExtremistNarratives #Gender
#Nation #Science
Horizon Europe – ARENAS
arenasproject.eu
April 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
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
#ARENASproject #HorizonEU #ResponsestoExtremistNarratives #Gender
#Nation #Science