12 June: Reclaiming our narratives: practical strategies for countering identity-based disinformation

12 June, 14:30 – 15:30 CEST

Identity-based disinformation (IBD) represents one of the most insidious threats to social cohesion today. Unlike conventional misinformation, IBD targets our fundamental sense of who we are, exploiting our deepest needs for belonging, self-esteem, security, and significance.

This webinar introduces practical, evidence-based strategies from OICD’s “Reclaiming Our Narratives” toolkit designed to counter IBD through positive identity expansion rather than direct confrontation. Participants will get an overview of how to analyse IBD campaigns, develop equal alternative narratives that fulfill the same psychological needs in healthy ways, and deploy these narratives strategically to build community resilience. Drawing on OICD’s experience implementing the Engagement Methodology for Identities in Culture (EMIC), this session provides frontline communicators, community leaders, and concerned citizens with concrete tools to strengthen communities against divisive manipulation.

Speaker

Dr. Bruce White, Director, Organization for Identity and Cultural Development (OICD)

Dr. Bruce White is the founding director of the Organization for Identity and Cultural Development (OICD). At OICD, he works at the intersection of academia and practice, developing programs to address identity-based divisions across social polarization, conflict transformation, education, policing, and public health. His work encompasses creating technologies, conducting research, designing training and practice methods, and developing impact enhancement and evaluation tools.

Moderator

Maria Giovanna Sessa, Research Manager, EU DisinfoLab

Maria Giovanna Sessa is the Research Manager at EU DisinfoLab. She holds a Ph.D. in Political Science and has previously worked for research foundations, think tanks, and as a university teaching assistant. Her research interests focus on the use of disinformation in political communication, gender-based attacks, and international crises, including FIMI. Lately, she has been working around DSA enforcement, linking research and policy implementation.

The opinions expressed are those of the speakers/authors and do not necessarily reflect the position of EU DisinfoLab. This webinar does not represent an endorsement by EU DisinfoLab of any organisation.