Prof. Dr. Thorsten Quandt from the University of Münster, one of Germany’s leading experts on digital disinformation, will be giving a talk to share the latest insights from his research into how false narratives take hold and why they are so difficult to counter. 

Prof. Quandt’s focus is on TikTok and some lesser-known corners of the digital world: fringe groups that blend spirituality, conspiracy theories, and pseudo-religious beliefs into bizarre narratives. At first glance, these communities might seem like niche curiosities, but they can wield significant influence — sometimes even manipulated by foreign actors aiming to destabilize public discourse.