Tobia Spampatti, PhD
@tspampatti.bsky.social
PhD in Neuroscience, Guest Researcher at the Center for Adaptive Rationality, Max Planck Institute for Human Development
I study why people care and discuss about societal, systemic issues like climate change, technology, and disinformation.
❤️=bookmarks
I study why people care and discuss about societal, systemic issues like climate change, technology, and disinformation.
❤️=bookmarks
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Ever wondered how your grant got cancelled? No we know. Some college dropout asked ChatGPT "is it DEI/woke"?
www.techdirt.com/202...
www.techdirt.com/202...
February 20, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Ever wondered how your grant got cancelled? No we know. Some college dropout asked ChatGPT "is it DEI/woke"?
www.techdirt.com/202...
www.techdirt.com/202...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
🎺 Call for proposals 🎺
1️⃣ replicate an existing experiment
2️⃣ run a novel experiment
on repdata.com
3️⃣ coauthor with Mary McGrath and me to meta-analyze the replications and existing studies
4️⃣ publish your study
details: alexandercoppock.com/replication_...
applications open Feb 1
please repost!
1️⃣ replicate an existing experiment
2️⃣ run a novel experiment
on repdata.com
3️⃣ coauthor with Mary McGrath and me to meta-analyze the replications and existing studies
4️⃣ publish your study
details: alexandercoppock.com/replication_...
applications open Feb 1
please repost!
January 27, 2026 at 10:16 PM
🎺 Call for proposals 🎺
1️⃣ replicate an existing experiment
2️⃣ run a novel experiment
on repdata.com
3️⃣ coauthor with Mary McGrath and me to meta-analyze the replications and existing studies
4️⃣ publish your study
details: alexandercoppock.com/replication_...
applications open Feb 1
please repost!
1️⃣ replicate an existing experiment
2️⃣ run a novel experiment
on repdata.com
3️⃣ coauthor with Mary McGrath and me to meta-analyze the replications and existing studies
4️⃣ publish your study
details: alexandercoppock.com/replication_...
applications open Feb 1
please repost!
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
This is your periodic reminder that I have a "Dear Nina" advice column where you can ask me your disinfo/digital harms questions.
Seeing your crazy uncle at a wedding?
Yoga friend fall down a conspiracy funnel?
Want to scrub your info from the internet?
I'm your gal 💁🏻♀️
forms.gle/P6WbpFaqMrSv...
Seeing your crazy uncle at a wedding?
Yoga friend fall down a conspiracy funnel?
Want to scrub your info from the internet?
I'm your gal 💁🏻♀️
forms.gle/P6WbpFaqMrSv...
Submit a Question to The Wayfinder's "Dear Nina" Column
Hi! You've made it to the submission page for The Wayfinder's monthly advice column, "Dear Nina" (think "Dear Abby" for disinformation and digital harms). Got a question about a social platform? Wonde...
forms.gle
February 17, 2026 at 12:39 PM
This is your periodic reminder that I have a "Dear Nina" advice column where you can ask me your disinfo/digital harms questions.
Seeing your crazy uncle at a wedding?
Yoga friend fall down a conspiracy funnel?
Want to scrub your info from the internet?
I'm your gal 💁🏻♀️
forms.gle/P6WbpFaqMrSv...
Seeing your crazy uncle at a wedding?
Yoga friend fall down a conspiracy funnel?
Want to scrub your info from the internet?
I'm your gal 💁🏻♀️
forms.gle/P6WbpFaqMrSv...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Breaking News: The Trump administration repealed the bedrock scientific finding that greenhouse gases threaten human life and well being, meaning that the EPA can no longer regulate them. nyti.ms/4rSszQu
February 12, 2026 at 8:38 PM
You can't... repeal... a scientific finding. At that point it's just called lying about it.
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
I served as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme on AIs consequences for development, the report is here and spends considerable time evaluating the claim that ai will necessarily erode labor demand.
hdr.undp.org/content/huma...
hdr.undp.org/content/huma...
Human Development Report 2025 | Human Development Reports
The 2025 Human Development Report explores the implications of artificial intelligence for human development and the choices we can make to ensure that it enhances human capabilities. Rather than atte...
hdr.undp.org
February 11, 2026 at 7:51 PM
I served as a consultant for the United Nations Development Programme on AIs consequences for development, the report is here and spends considerable time evaluating the claim that ai will necessarily erode labor demand.
hdr.undp.org/content/huma...
hdr.undp.org/content/huma...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Perhaps today is the day we should all learn the term “agnotology” and think about the many mechanisms of ignorance and what/whom it serves.
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:50 PM
Perhaps today is the day we should all learn the term “agnotology” and think about the many mechanisms of ignorance and what/whom it serves.
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
🌎 If we seek 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 #𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, we must strengthen public resilience to 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 #𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
👉 That's why we're pleased to share the #ClimateFactsMatter campaign by @euclimateaction.bsky.social, incl. a digital handbook co-created w/ experts from EDMO + EDMO Hubs: edmo.eu/edmo-news/cl...
👉 That's why we're pleased to share the #ClimateFactsMatter campaign by @euclimateaction.bsky.social, incl. a digital handbook co-created w/ experts from EDMO + EDMO Hubs: edmo.eu/edmo-news/cl...
February 11, 2026 at 12:17 PM
🌎 If we seek 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 #𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, we must strengthen public resilience to 𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 #𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.
👉 That's why we're pleased to share the #ClimateFactsMatter campaign by @euclimateaction.bsky.social, incl. a digital handbook co-created w/ experts from EDMO + EDMO Hubs: edmo.eu/edmo-news/cl...
👉 That's why we're pleased to share the #ClimateFactsMatter campaign by @euclimateaction.bsky.social, incl. a digital handbook co-created w/ experts from EDMO + EDMO Hubs: edmo.eu/edmo-news/cl...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
This is not a drill, we need to be ready to counter and we're not.
FT exclusive:
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
“The US state department is set to fund Maga-aligned think-tanks and charities across Europe to disseminate Washington’s policy positions and challenge perceived threats to free speech.”
via @annasophiegross.bsky.social and colleagues
February 6, 2026 at 7:03 AM
This is not a drill, we need to be ready to counter and we're not.
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
The above link mangled itself through some authentication thing in my browser. Correct link is www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Internet platforms must be held accountable for their actions
Multiple independent research institutions have recently and repeatedly sounded the alarm that democracy is in retreat worldwide. In the United States, a British academic has painstakingly recorded mo...
www.science.org
February 5, 2026 at 7:47 PM
The above link mangled itself through some authentication thing in my browser. Correct link is www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
There have been increasingly shrill accusations against the EU over its digital legislation, based on accusations of "censorship" by defenders of "free speech" -- including, so it appears, the right to peddle an AI app that seemingly produces child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
1/9
1/9
February 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM
There have been increasingly shrill accusations against the EU over its digital legislation, based on accusations of "censorship" by defenders of "free speech" -- including, so it appears, the right to peddle an AI app that seemingly produces child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
1/9
1/9
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
most importantly, in my view, we really have to understand that trump, jordan, tech bro, fellow-traveler lies about european regs are principally about (1) preserving space for propaganda/disinfo by them & far right euro allies & (2) avoiding *any* accountability or oversight.
the trump admin and its allies are promoting a lie about european tech regulation. it's really not some niche technical/legal thing, though - it's about power & control over european access to information. i wrote about it here for @techpolicypress.bsky.social
The Trump Lie About Europe and Why it Matters | TechPolicy.Press
The Trump administration is promoting disinformation about European law and policy for reasons that go well beyond social media regulation, writes David Kaye.
www.techpolicy.press
February 4, 2026 at 3:24 PM
most importantly, in my view, we really have to understand that trump, jordan, tech bro, fellow-traveler lies about european regs are principally about (1) preserving space for propaganda/disinfo by them & far right euro allies & (2) avoiding *any* accountability or oversight.
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
📢 Postdoc opportunity | Consumer Behaviour & Sustainability (CBS)
🔬 The role
Experimental consumer research
Focus on sustainable food consumption, policy, & food environments
📅 Start: April 2026 (flexible)
⏳ Duration: 29 months (extendable)
🗓 Deadline: 16 Feb 2026
Feel free to share with anyone 🌱
🔬 The role
Experimental consumer research
Focus on sustainable food consumption, policy, & food environments
📅 Start: April 2026 (flexible)
⏳ Duration: 29 months (extendable)
🗓 Deadline: 16 Feb 2026
Feel free to share with anyone 🌱
Postdoc in Consumer Behaviour and Sustainability at the Department of Management, Society and Communication (MSC)
MSC is looking for a Postdoc interested in experimental consumer research to join an international project on sustainable food consumption.
www.cbs.dk
January 29, 2026 at 8:39 AM
📢 Postdoc opportunity | Consumer Behaviour & Sustainability (CBS)
🔬 The role
Experimental consumer research
Focus on sustainable food consumption, policy, & food environments
📅 Start: April 2026 (flexible)
⏳ Duration: 29 months (extendable)
🗓 Deadline: 16 Feb 2026
Feel free to share with anyone 🌱
🔬 The role
Experimental consumer research
Focus on sustainable food consumption, policy, & food environments
📅 Start: April 2026 (flexible)
⏳ Duration: 29 months (extendable)
🗓 Deadline: 16 Feb 2026
Feel free to share with anyone 🌱
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
If you are in the Geneva area, please join us on Jan 30th for a discussion about climate disinformation that spans governments, UN, NGOs and academia. Honored to have been invited to represent the science of misinformation among other important perspectives.
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Challenges and Solutions to Prevent Disinformation in Environmental Policy Making
The event aims to raise awareness about the impact of disinformation on environmental policy and public understanding, share concrete examples of disinformation tactics across the triple planetary cri...
www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
If you are in the Geneva area, please join us on Jan 30th for a discussion about climate disinformation that spans governments, UN, NGOs and academia. Honored to have been invited to represent the science of misinformation among other important perspectives.
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
If you are in the Geneva area, please join us on Jan 30th for a discussion about climate disinformation that spans governments, UN, NGOs and academia. Honored to have been invited to represent the science of misinformation among other important perspectives.
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Challenges and Solutions to Prevent Disinformation in Environmental Policy Making
The event aims to raise awareness about the impact of disinformation on environmental policy and public understanding, share concrete examples of disinformation tactics across the triple planetary cri...
www.genevaenvironmentnetwork.org
January 21, 2026 at 2:02 PM
If you are in the Geneva area, please join us on Jan 30th for a discussion about climate disinformation that spans governments, UN, NGOs and academia. Honored to have been invited to represent the science of misinformation among other important perspectives.
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Help spread the word!
tiny.cc/GEN30Jan26
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
January 20, 2026 at 6:05 PM
🚨 BREAKING 🚨
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
The UK Govt has quietly published - without announcement - the Joint Intelligence Committee/DEFRA report it suppressed last October. They tried to sneak it out in the midst of crisis. Read and share:
“Global Biodiversity Loss, Ecosystem Collapse & National Security.”
(link below)
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
🎺 On May 21/22 @lespin.bsky.social , @doriantsolak.bsky.social, and I host “Democracy at Risk? Societal Challenges, Data, and Research Infrastructures in the Age of CSS” in Vienna
Keynotes: @lauraknelson.bsky.social and @lorenzspreen.bsky.social
computational-social-science.org/workshops/20...
Keynotes: @lauraknelson.bsky.social and @lorenzspreen.bsky.social
computational-social-science.org/workshops/20...
Democracy at Risk? Societal Challenges, Data, and Research Infrastructures in the Age of CSS – Computational Social Science
computational-social-science.org
January 20, 2026 at 2:48 PM
🎺 On May 21/22 @lespin.bsky.social , @doriantsolak.bsky.social, and I host “Democracy at Risk? Societal Challenges, Data, and Research Infrastructures in the Age of CSS” in Vienna
Keynotes: @lauraknelson.bsky.social and @lorenzspreen.bsky.social
computational-social-science.org/workshops/20...
Keynotes: @lauraknelson.bsky.social and @lorenzspreen.bsky.social
computational-social-science.org/workshops/20...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Macron:
"Faced with the brutalisation of the world, France and Europe must defend an effective multilateralism, because it serves our interests and those of all who refuse to submit to the rule of force"
"Faced with the brutalisation of the world, France and Europe must defend an effective multilateralism, because it serves our interests and those of all who refuse to submit to the rule of force"
January 20, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Macron:
"Faced with the brutalisation of the world, France and Europe must defend an effective multilateralism, because it serves our interests and those of all who refuse to submit to the rule of force"
"Faced with the brutalisation of the world, France and Europe must defend an effective multilateralism, because it serves our interests and those of all who refuse to submit to the rule of force"
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Kai's write up and @cailinmeister.bsky.social's thread do a great job of summarizing our results. Rather than cover them a third time, I thought I'd clarify some misconceptions over our piece and COIS more broadly that keep cropping up scattered across replies. 🧵🧪
One of the issues that has come up again and again in my reporting on misinformation and social media is the massive influence social media companies have on research in the field.
Last night a preprint dropped that tries to get at this with some numbers. My piece in @science.org (and 🧪🧵 coming):
Last night a preprint dropped that tries to get at this with some numbers. My piece in @science.org (and 🧪🧵 coming):
Nearly a third of social media research has undisclosed ties to industry, preprint claims
Industry-linked studies were also more likely to focus on particular topics, suggesting these ties may be skewing the field
www.science.org
January 19, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Kai's write up and @cailinmeister.bsky.social's thread do a great job of summarizing our results. Rather than cover them a third time, I thought I'd clarify some misconceptions over our piece and COIS more broadly that keep cropping up scattered across replies. 🧵🧪
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Who is the Big Tobacco of today?
In new work, we find 50% of high profile social media papers are connected to big tech through funding, collaboration and employment. Most connections aren't disclosed. @jbakcoleman.bsky.social @jevinwest.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com 1
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11507
In new work, we find 50% of high profile social media papers are connected to big tech through funding, collaboration and employment. Most connections aren't disclosed. @jbakcoleman.bsky.social @jevinwest.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com 1
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11507
Industry Influence in High-Profile Social Media Research
To what extent is social media research independent from industry influence? Leveraging openly available data, we show that half of the research published in top journals has disclosable ties to indus...
arxiv.org
January 19, 2026 at 6:51 PM
Who is the Big Tobacco of today?
In new work, we find 50% of high profile social media papers are connected to big tech through funding, collaboration and employment. Most connections aren't disclosed. @jbakcoleman.bsky.social @jevinwest.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com 1
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11507
In new work, we find 50% of high profile social media papers are connected to big tech through funding, collaboration and employment. Most connections aren't disclosed. @jbakcoleman.bsky.social @jevinwest.bsky.social @carlbergstrom.com 1
arxiv.org/abs/2601.11507
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
The way to avoid losing freedom is to use it, says Masha Gessen: “to claim all the room there still is for speaking, writing, publishing, protesting, voting. It’s what the people of Minnesota appear to be doing, and it’s something each of us needs to do — right now, while we still can.”
#giftlink
#giftlink
Opinion | One Year of Trump. The Time to Act Is Now, While We Still Can.
www.nytimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 12:42 PM
The way to avoid losing freedom is to use it, says Masha Gessen: “to claim all the room there still is for speaking, writing, publishing, protesting, voting. It’s what the people of Minnesota appear to be doing, and it’s something each of us needs to do — right now, while we still can.”
#giftlink
#giftlink
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
One year post-doc at University of Exeter for my project on counter-narratives about climate change, urban planning, and health policy in the southwest UK. Feel free to email me directly with any questions but application must be via link:
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Powered by MHR
jobs.exeter.ac.uk
January 16, 2026 at 1:02 PM
One year post-doc at University of Exeter for my project on counter-narratives about climate change, urban planning, and health policy in the southwest UK. Feel free to email me directly with any questions but application must be via link:
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
jobs.exeter.ac.uk/hrpr_webrecr...
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Meta, Microsoft and Google are all coordinating with the European far right in order to dismantle EU digital laws designed to protect citizens, according to a new report.
The recent 🇺🇸NSS strategy outlined regime change plans to support the European far right.
A public-private partnership.
The recent 🇺🇸NSS strategy outlined regime change plans to support the European far right.
A public-private partnership.
US tech giants allying with European far-right to strip back EU rules
Amid rising EU-US tensions, a new report has accused Big Tech of courting far-right MEPs to weaken the EU's regulatory power on AI and data.
www.brusselstimes.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Meta, Microsoft and Google are all coordinating with the European far right in order to dismantle EU digital laws designed to protect citizens, according to a new report.
The recent 🇺🇸NSS strategy outlined regime change plans to support the European far right.
A public-private partnership.
The recent 🇺🇸NSS strategy outlined regime change plans to support the European far right.
A public-private partnership.
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
PHD AND POSTDOC POSITIONS AT THE DIGITAL DEMOCRACY CENTRE
Topic: AI and the News Ecosystem
See thread by project PI @claesdevreese.bsky.social below.
Please help circulate and/or apply.
#polcomm #academia
Topic: AI and the News Ecosystem
See thread by project PI @claesdevreese.bsky.social below.
Please help circulate and/or apply.
#polcomm #academia
PLEASE SHARE
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
January 8, 2026 at 9:22 AM
PHD AND POSTDOC POSITIONS AT THE DIGITAL DEMOCRACY CENTRE
Topic: AI and the News Ecosystem
See thread by project PI @claesdevreese.bsky.social below.
Please help circulate and/or apply.
#polcomm #academia
Topic: AI and the News Ecosystem
See thread by project PI @claesdevreese.bsky.social below.
Please help circulate and/or apply.
#polcomm #academia
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Now more than ever, it’s important to understand how energy, climate, and environment are inextricably linked to finance and geopolitics. It’s a great time to follow some awesome journalists focused on those topics here. It’s free!
January 5, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Now more than ever, it’s important to understand how energy, climate, and environment are inextricably linked to finance and geopolitics. It’s a great time to follow some awesome journalists focused on those topics here. It’s free!
Reposted by Tobia Spampatti, PhD
Great positions, awesome team & work environment! 👇👇👇
PLEASE SHARE
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
📣 Multi-position (PhD and postdoc) call for an interdisciplinary project on "AI in the News Ecosystem: Navigating Trust and Authenticity”
Project @ddc-sdu.bsky.social (Digital Democracy Centre (SDU)).
Multiple positions with different backgrounds and profiles.
Links in🧵
#commsky
January 8, 2026 at 10:44 AM
Great positions, awesome team & work environment! 👇👇👇
