Webinar Series: The Global Rise of Disinformation in Times of Conflict

What are the differences between misinformation and disinformation? How do they each operate in conflict environments?

In these uncertain times, often made more fraught through the proliferation of misinformation and the purposeful deployment of disinformation,  it is more important than ever to foster understanding of diverse perspectives both domestically and from across the globe. The University of Chicago Educator Outreach Program, in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting, is excited to announce a four-part, educator professional development series The Global Rise of Disinformation in Times of Conflict.

In this series, teachers will engage with award-winning journalists and digital education resources to explore the relationship between disinformation, misinformation, and conflict environments across the globe.

We’ll analyze and discuss underreported news stories that explore a range of issues, including:

• The perils and possibilities of free speech
• Surveillance and AI technologies
• Governmental use of counterterrorism policies and human rights abuses
• Cultural identity in the face of conflict

The first part of this series features three virtual webinars:

1. Monday, June 20, 6-7:30pm CDT | Justifying War: How Russia Convinced Its People to Take Part in the Land Grab of the Century, with Simon Ostrovsky
2. Tuesday, June 21, 6-7:30pm CDT | The Violence of Disinformation in Palestine, with Sarah Aziza
3. Thursday, June 23, 6-7:30pm CDT | Bearing Witness: Narrative Journalism and Human Rights in Xinjiang, China, with Ben Mauk

Webinar registration is required on Zoom. 

These webinars are open to the public but geared to K12 educators.

The fourth part of this series is a full-day, in-person professional development engagement for Chicago educators. For more information visit the event page here.

The 2022 Summer Institute for Educators is co-sponsored by the University of Chicago Center for East Asian Studies, Center for East European and Russian/Eurasian Studies, and the Center for Middle Eastern Studies, and it is presented in partnership with the Pulitzer Center on Crisis Reporting. It is made possible through generous support from the Title VI National Resource Center grants from the U.S. Department of Education.