🎬 Our documentary 'Middle Rage – Social Media and the War on Democracy' is now live! Exploring how social media, disinformation and online narratives shape democracy - focusing on middle-aged audiences. Watch now 👇 youtube.com/watch?v=lrnq... #MiddleRage #SmidgeProject #Disinformation #Democracy

It rarely starts with one big conspiracy. It starts with curiosity. Then doubt. Then immersion. And before you know it… You’ve been carried away. #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives

Sometimes the loudest explanations aren’t the most accurate ones. Disinformation simplifies complex problems and redirects blame. Asking better questions is the first step toward better answers. #CriticalThinking #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives

Every day online, we face these choices: ➡️ Follow evidence ➡️ Or follow what confirms what we already believe Disinformation doesn’t spread by accident. It spreads by decision. Which road would you take? #MediaLiteracy #SmidgeProject #ConspiracyTheories

When misinformation gets loud enough, it can drown out everything else. Including facts, dialogue and trust. #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives #Misinformation #Disinformation #ConspiracyTheories

“This is fine.” Sometimes denial isn’t loud. It’s quiet. Comfortable. Familiar. But ignoring evidence doesn’t make the fire disappear. What makes us accept comforting narratives over uncomfortable truths? #SMIDGE #Disinformation #Climate

A reminder that our event “Addressing Extremism in Middle Age” is taking place on Tuesday, 24 February, in Westminster. 🔗 You can register to confirm your attendance here: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressing...

As part of the SMIDGE project’s counter-narrative work, the University of Copenhagen has produced 27 pieces of micro-content, including memes and a GIF, addressing the spread of #disinformation and conspiracy theories across social media platforms. 🔗 www.smidgeproject.eu/counter-narr...

There are still a limited number of places available for our upcoming Westminster event: 📅 24 February 2026 | 🕔 17:00–20:00 📍 Atlee Room, Westminster, London 🔗 Register here: lnkd.in/eRCU78ZJ

📣 Join us in Westminster on 24 February! This final event of the SMIDGE project brings together policymakers, researchers, civil society, media, and security experts to address how online extremist narratives reach and influence middle-aged adults. 🔗 Register here: eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressing...

On 29 January, the SMIDGE International Conference was held in Brussels, marking a key milestone after three years of research into online extremism among middle-aged adults. 🔗 Read the full article: smidgeproject.eu/post/three-y... 🎥 Watch the conference recordings: youtube.com/@SmidgeProject

@jamesrball.com In my experience it's the middle aged who have the biggest problem!

Today is the day! Closing of the SMIDGE project in style

📢 The SMIDGE Project conference is just one day away. The Conference brings together policymakers, researchers, journalists, civil society, and practitioners to discuss online extremism and #disinformation and their impact on middle-aged adults in Europe. 📍 Brussels | 📅 29 January 2026

ARENAS joins its #HorizonEU sister project SMIDGE @smidgeproject.bsky.social in inviting policymakers, journalists, researchers, and practitioners to the international conference “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe.”

One week until the SMIDGE Project’s international conference, “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe.” 📍 Brussels 🗓 29 January 2026 📢 A limited number of places remain available. Register here: lnkd.in/eg-WdnB8

📢 After three impactful years, the SMIDGE Project hosts its international conference: “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe” 📍 Brussels | 📅 29 January 2026 🔗 To register: lnkd.in/eg-WdnB8 To learn more about the conference: lnkd.in/ekZC3-vn

🗞️ The New World has published a new article exploring the latest findings from the #SmidgeProject, following an in-depth interview with our Scientific Coordinator, Dr. Sara Wilford. Read the full article here: www.thenewworld.co.uk/zoe-grunewal...

📣New SmidgeCast episode out! In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of the #SMIDGEProject to explore the creative and research processes behind the project’s counter-narrative videos, produced by DMU in collaboration with Hamlett Films. 🎧 Listen to the episode: youtube.com/watch?v=JX4X...

📌A new video produced by De Montfort University in collaboration with Hamlett Film , as part of the #SmidgeProject, is now available: youtube.com/watch?v=Bznb... Brain Box – The Climate Quiz Show presents climate change through a combination of news reporting and a Europe-wide quiz show format.

📢 Inclusive Europe & De Montfort University hosted a #SmidgeProject roundtable with journalists to discuss how narratives targeting middle-aged audiences work—and how journalism can better and more responsibly engage this overlooked group. 🔗 Interested to know more? smidgeproject.eu/post/smidge-...

📢 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...

🎞️ 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

📚 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....

📢 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...

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).

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...

🎧 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.

📌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

@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!

🎥 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

📌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

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

📢 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...

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.

📌 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

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

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


📢 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.