SMIDGECast

For this final episode, we invite you behind the scenes of the SMIDGE project!In this episode, Sara Wilford, Scientific Coordinator of the SMIDGE project, discusses the creation and purpose of the project’s counter-narrative videos with Professor Jason Lee of De Montfort University and Sian Hamlett of Hamlett Films. Together, they reflect on how research insights, creative storytelling, and careful collaboration came together to produce videos aimed at supporting the 45–65 demographic in thinking critically about misinformation.The conversation explores the development of the scripts, the casting process, and the balance between humour, drama, and factual accuracy. Sara, Jason, and Sian also highlight the unique challenges of addressing sensitive topics - such as climate change, migration, and vaccines - while ensuring the content remains relatable, respectful, and grounded in evidence.This closing episode offers an insightful look at the SMIDGE project’s media work and the team’s commitment to creating engaging, trustworthy, and impactful content.

In this episode of the SmidgeCast, we explore how cinema and media literacy can be powerful tools against extremist ideologies. Our guest, Professor Jason Lee (De Montfort University, Leicester), shares insights from SMIDGE and other projects that use film to expose and challenge radical narratives.Together, we consider how films have historically confronted extremism and what makes them effective in doing so, as well as the delicate balance between exposing dangerous ideologies and avoiding sensationalism or preaching. We reflect on the role of media literacy in helping audiences navigate misinformation and conspiracy theories, and how social media has reshaped discourses around cinema, democracy, and resistance.

In this episode of the SmidgeCast, Christian Gulas, Network Analyst and Data Scientist at FASResearch in Vienna, explores the powerful link between moral framing and the emotions it triggers online. Why is democracy-endangering content so emotionally compelling and viral? How do social media platforms amplify morally charged messaging, especially from extremist voices?We discuss the mechanics of the attention economy, revealing how moral-emotional narratives are used to capture and sustain attention, influence political discourse, and erode democratic norms.

In this episode of the Smidgecast, we welcome back Dr. Sara Wilford from De Montfort University to explore the ethical complexities researchers face in today’s digitally driven world. As a key figure in the SMIDGE Project, Dr. Wilford offers unique insights into the intersection of misinformation, surveillance, AI, and data ethics.Throughout the conversation, we explore how emerging technologies like AI are reshaping the ethical landscape, particularly in data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the use of personal data in research. Dr. Wilford offers thoughtful perspectives on how governments, corporations, and academic institutions can build a framework for ethical responsibility, and how projects like SMIDGE can serve as a model for tackling these urgent challenges.

In this episode of Smidgecast, we explore the evolving role of fact-checking in the digital era. Who should be responsible? Where’s the line between regulation and free speech? And how do we tackle deepfakes, AI-generated disinformation, and political influences?Joining us is Professor Giovanni Ziccardi, an expert in legal informatics and digital rights at the University of Milan. As part of the Smidge Project, he and his team analyse the impact of online extremism and misinformation on public trust and policymaking.

In this episode of the Smidgecast, we are joined by Dan Ilazi, Head of Research at the Kosovar Centre for Security Studies (KCSS), for a discussion on security, radicalization and the role of information in shaping conflicts. Dan talks shares his path into the field and his focus on the interplay between ethnicity, politics and radicalization. The conversation covers the use of disinformation as a tool of foreign influence, the responsibility of social media platforms in curbing harmful content and the potential for digital spaces to foster resilience against extremism. Dan also reflects on his work with the SMIDGE Project, which aims to counter extremist narratives and disinformation, sharing specific cases and lessons learned. Throughout the conversation, we explore how governments, international organizations and civil society can work together to combat these threats and safeguard vulnerable communities.

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 critical thinking skills in today’s digital landscape. As misinformation and extremism spread rapidly across social media and online platforms, developing robust thinking skills is more important than ever. Professor Iordanou explores what it means to think critically, how we can cultivate these essential skills, and why they’re key to making informed decisions, avoiding manipulation, and engaging responsibly with online content.

In this episode of the #SmidgeCast, we explore the evolving landscape of extremism with Line Nybro Petersen and Mikkel Baekby Johansen from the University of Copenhagen (UCPH). Join us as we explore the hybridization of extremist ideologies, where radical beliefs blend with mainstream culture, conspiracy theories, and personal grievances, creating new and complex forms of radicalization. We also discuss "Hype Spaces," the digital environments where these hybrid ideologies thrive, and examine the role influencers and social media users play in spreading extreme content.

In this episode of the Smidgecast, Christian Gulas, a Network Analyst from FAS Research in Vienna, explains his role in analyzing the spread and attractiveness of disinformation and conspiracy theories on social media platforms. We explore the social and semantic structures that make these theories so compelling, the role of emotions like fear and anger, and how social media's business model and algorithms contribute to the proliferation of conspiracy theories. Christian also discusses the concept of echo chambers and the globalization of opinions, and he provides a detailed analysis of the future challenges in combating misinformation and conspiracy theories, including the impact of AI and social bots. He emphasizes the importance of addressing the underlying societal issues that make these theories attractive in the first place.

Researchers Maria Rita Bracchini and Fabrizio Boldrini from Fondazione Villa Montesca discuss the profound implications of AI on teaching and learning, exploring its potential benefits, risks and ethical considerations. They share insights on how AI is reshaping educational paradigms and how educators can navigate the challenges posed by disinformation, conspiracy theories and online extremism. Don't miss this thought-provoking discussion that promises to leave you with a deeper understanding of the intersection between AI and education.

In this episode of the Smidgecast, Sara Wilford from Montfort University discusses the vulnerability of middle-aged individuals to misinformation and the impact of the digital landscape on their information consumption. The theory of deep state is explored as an example of a conspiracy theory that resonates with middle-aged individuals and influences their political beliefs. Join us for an engaging discussion on the complexities of navigating truth in today's digital world.