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

We will share findings from the SMIDGE project examining an under-researched demographic: middle-aged adults who are increasingly exposed to online extremist content. The discussion will reflect on methodological challenges, emerging evidence, and implications for policy and practice.

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...

Informed by findings from previous work packages, surveys, and focus groups, this collection operationalises the theoretical and empirical knowledge developed throughout the project.

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...

The programme will include:
• Key findings from the SMIDGE research team
• A screening of the project’s counter-narrative A Family Tea
• A networking buffet dinner, providing an opportunity to engage with colleagues and experts

The event will present new research and policy-relevant insights into a largely invisible and under-researched group: middle-aged adults who are increasingly exposed to, and vulnerable to, online extremist content - an issue of growing concern across the UK and internationally.

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

Addressing extremism in middle age Open to a diverse group, including members of the UK Parliament & representatives of UK & EU institutions, policymakers & practitioners

📣 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...

Three Years of SMIDGE: Brussels Conference Examines Online Extremism Among Middle-Aged Adults Brussels, 29 January 2026  On 29 January 2026, following three impactful years of research and collaboration of the SMIDGE project, policymakers, researchers, journalists and civil society representa...

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

🔗 Conference information: www.smidgeproject.eu/the-invisibl...
🔗 Registration: forms.office.com/pages/respon...

📢 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.”

#SmidgeProject #SmidgeConference #InvisibleMiddle #OnlineNarratives

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

This conference brings together policymakers, researchers, journalists, civil society, and digital platform experts to explore how online extremism, disinformation, and polarising narratives affect middle-aged adults, an often-overlooked yet crucial demographic shaping democratic life across Europe.

📢 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

Dr. Wilford discusses how many middle-aged adults are increasingly turning toward extremist narratives after feeling invisible, viewed as “too old to retrain, too expensive to hire, and irrelevant to target.”

Britain’s most dangerous radicals are… middle-aged men Middle-aged men are being radicalised – and they’re fuelling the spread of extremism, conspiracy theories and political violence

🗞️ 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...

The discussion covers script development, the casting process, and the balance between humour, drama, and factual accuracy. Sara, Jason, and Sian also highlight the challenges of addressing sensitive topics while ensuring the content remains relatable, respectful, and grounded in evidence.

📣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...

Brain Box - The Climate Quiz Show YouTube video by Smidge Project

📌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.

SMIDGE Project Brings Together Media Professionals to Tackle Disinformation Among Middle-Aged Audiences Inclusive Europe and De Montfort University (DMU) co-organised a dedicated roundtable for journalists, held in Brussels as part of the SMIDGE Project. The event brought together media professionals, c...

📢 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-...

The article discusses the growing evidence that Generation X are increasingly exposed to and influenced by online misinformation, yet remain an under-researched demographic in this field.