#HorizonEU project analysing online extremist narratives' impact on middle-aged individuals | #disinformation #conspiracytheories #extremism www.smidgeproject.euhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mkzda45lq22g🎬 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 👇 https://youtube.com/watch?v=lrnqNrdASa8 #MiddleRage #SmidgeProject #Disinformation #Democracy04 May 2026 09:10 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mkzda45lq22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mgn4polr5n26It 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 #CounterNarratives09 Mar 2026 15:00 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mgn4polr5n26https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mg352kgliz2qSometimes 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 #CounterNarratives02 Mar 2026 11:19 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mg352kgliz2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mftlns3nbh2iEvery 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 #ConspiracyTheories27 Feb 2026 11:19 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mftlns3nbh2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mfokpx5fst2dWhen misinformation gets loud enough, it can drown out everything else. Including facts, dialogue and trust. #SmidgeProject #CounterNarratives #Misinformation #Disinformation #ConspiracyTheories25 Feb 2026 11:19 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfokpx5fst2dhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mfm2brnbsb2i“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 #Climate24 Feb 2026 11:19 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfm2brnbsb2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mfbplnfezk2oA 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: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressing-extremism-in-middle-age-tickets-197985201868420 Feb 2026 08:41 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfbplnfezk2ohttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mf7j3b6rm222As 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. 🔗 https://www.smidgeproject.eu/counter-narratives-memes19 Feb 2026 11:39 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mf7j3b6rm222https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3menlxvr5ts2pThere 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 https://lnkd.in/eRCU78ZJ12 Feb 2026 08:43 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3menlxvr5ts2phttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3me6yjqru2c22📣 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: https://eventbrite.co.uk/e/addressing-extremism-in-middle-age-tickets-197985201868406 Feb 2026 13:18 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3me6yjqru2c22https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3me6t3tfuos2bOn 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: https://smidgeproject.eu/post/three-years-of-smidge-brussels-conference-examines-online-extremism-among-middle-aged-adults 🎥 Watch the conference recordings: youtube.com/@SmidgeProject06 Feb 2026 11:41 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3me6t3tfuos2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mdhyluyl6k2h📢 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 202628 Jan 2026 09:48 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mdhyluyl6k2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mcysy7bwjc2hOne 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-WdnB822 Jan 2026 08:57 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mcysy7bwjc2hhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3mbw4b3ckvs2l📢 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-vn08 Jan 2026 13:40 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3mbw4b3ckvs2lhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m7s7mb7ohs25🗞️ 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: https://www.thenewworld.co.uk/zoe-grunewald-britains-most-dangerous-radicals-are-middle-aged-men/12 Dec 2025 13:39 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7s7mb7ohs25https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m7kgk63y3c22📣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: https://youtube.com/watch?v=JX4XHwgo8VI09 Dec 2025 11:22 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m7kgk63y3c22https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m6m6ezyhuk2e📌A new video produced by De Montfort University in collaboration with Hamlett Film , as part of the #SmidgeProject, is now available: https://youtube.com/watch?v=Bznb9Jg8Ik0 Brain Box – The Climate Quiz Show presents climate change through a combination of news reporting and a Europe-wide quiz show format.27 Nov 2025 10:36 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6m6ezyhuk2ehttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m6lw2bg2qk2u📢 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? https://smidgeproject.eu/post/smidge-project-brings-together-media-professionals-to-tackle-disinformation-among-middle-aged-audien27 Nov 2025 08:07 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m6lw2bg2qk2uhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m5jehxa6d22a📢 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: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/nov/07/gen-x-internet-radicalisation-populist?CMP=share_btn_url13 Nov 2025 14:22 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m5jehxa6d22ahttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m3tzfre74k2q🎞️ 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 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQeTpt4S_gs23 Oct 2025 09:13 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3tzfre74k2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m3mv2gyaok24📚 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: https://tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15405702.2025.2575305#abstract20 Oct 2025 13:06 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m3mv2gyaok24https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3m2r5nthgmc27📢 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: https://youtube.com/watch?v=jQeTpt4S_gs09 Oct 2025 12:26 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3m2r5nthgmc27https://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3lwvwn7w7sk2yAt 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.21 Aug 2025 12:22 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwvwn7w7sk2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3lwvi6hh3tc2k📢 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 https://smidgeproject.eu/post/new-territories-old-enemies21 Aug 2025 08:04 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwvi6hh3tc2khttps://bsky.app/profile/smidgeproject.bsky.social/post/3lwvfqxlvmk2l📌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: https://nordmedianetwork.org/nordmedia-conference-2025/ #NORDIS #NordMedia202521 Aug 2025 07:20 +0000at://did:plc:kanyqhgre2mrikfl3nfj2so4/app.bsky.feed.post/3lwvfqxlvmk2l