Dr Ela Drazkiewicz:
Conflicts over truths in Europe – connecting and disconnecting the worlds of people who endorse and counter conspiracy theories.

In the recent years conspiracy theories have become a highly polarizing topic. Perceived as a major threat to liberal democracies, social cohesion and global security they are a subject of research, but also society-oriented pedagogical interventions and policy making efforts. Today, conspiracy theories have become a central issue not only to the people who propagate or endorse them, but also to those who fear their consequences and design initiatives to push back against the ‘post-truth’ era. This talk will consider how can we understand this growing tension over conspiracy theories: what does it reveal about the fears and desires of European societies? By bringing case studies from different European regions it will also consider how the distinct experiences, structures and organisations of European societies impact the ways in which conflicts over truth are unfolding in specific regions. 


Dr Ela Drazkiewicz is Associate Professor of Ethnology at the Lund University in Sweden. She is leading ERC Conspirations project analysing conflicts over truths in Europe. She is also leading a Nordren network analysing preparedness of Nordic communities to challenges posed by the current and upcoming disinformation threats. She co-edited volumes What To Do About Conspiracy Theories (2024) and Conspiracy Theories in the European Digital Sphere (2026).