Center for an Informed Public
@cip.uw.edu
A multidisciplinary research center at the University of Washington in Seattle helping individuals, communities and institutions navigate our complex information environments.
Website: cip.uw.edu
Website: cip.uw.edu
“But in the second Trump administration, this relationship is more direct, with policies clearly being motivated, shaped and justified by and through digital content creation,” Starbird, a @hcde.uw.edu professor, told The New York Times. [2/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
When Posting Becomes Its Own Style of Politics
Social media has long been flooded with populist rage and discontent. What happens when the posts become policy?
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:40 PM
“But in the second Trump administration, this relationship is more direct, with policies clearly being motivated, shaped and justified by and through digital content creation,” Starbird, a @hcde.uw.edu professor, told The New York Times. [2/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
"Slopulism," a type of viral content that @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social has called "participatory propaganda," has been a dynamic that's been "building for years," Starbird recently told @nytimes.com in an interview. [1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
When Posting Becomes Its Own Style of Politics
Social media has long been flooded with populist rage and discontent. What happens when the posts become policy?
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 11:40 PM
"Slopulism," a type of viral content that @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social has called "participatory propaganda," has been a dynamic that's been "building for years," Starbird recently told @nytimes.com in an interview. [1/2]
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
@sethabramovitch.bsky.social of @thr.com writes that according to Sydney DeMets, an @ischool.uw.edu PhD student, "the listener does not merely consume content. The listener builds a relationship. After enough hours, disagreement feels like betrayal."
More: www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
More: www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
Why MAGA-Boosting Comedy Bros Are Turning on Trump
From Joe Rogan to Andrew Schulz, the bromance between right-coded comics and the president is quickly cooling off.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:14 PM
@sethabramovitch.bsky.social of @thr.com writes that according to Sydney DeMets, an @ischool.uw.edu PhD student, "the listener does not merely consume content. The listener builds a relationship. After enough hours, disagreement feels like betrayal."
More: www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
More: www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
In a @thr.com interview, @cip.uw.edu graduate research assistant @sydneydemets.bsky.social says that “[p]odcasts are incredibly persuasive” because “they induce the parasocial phenomenon” and “trigger a lot of feelings of intimacy and trust.” www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
Why MAGA-Boosting Comedy Bros Are Turning on Trump
From Joe Rogan to Andrew Schulz, the bromance between right-coded comics and the president is quickly cooling off.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:14 PM
In a @thr.com interview, @cip.uw.edu graduate research assistant @sydneydemets.bsky.social says that “[p]odcasts are incredibly persuasive” because “they induce the parasocial phenomenon” and “trigger a lot of feelings of intimacy and trust.” www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politic...
Our team has been working with teachers and librarians in Skagit County, WA to adapt AI literacy lessons for high school classes. On Friday, students will be sharing these lessons for a group of local senior citizens in an intergenerational learning event. salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sedro-Woolley English teachers bring AI literacy into the classroom
Several English classes at Sedro-Woolley High School are implementing lesson plans designed by Linsey Kitchens to help students understand the limitations of artificial intelligence programs such as C...
salish-current.org
February 6, 2026 at 1:39 AM
Our team has been working with teachers and librarians in Skagit County, WA to adapt AI literacy lessons for high school classes. On Friday, students will be sharing these lessons for a group of local senior citizens in an intergenerational learning event. salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
As the co-authors write: "Through a case study of a K-pop controversy, we show how audiences act not just as consumers but as co-authors of alternative narratives in moments of uncertainty."
February 6, 2026 at 1:32 AM
As the co-authors write: "Through a case study of a K-pop controversy, we show how audiences act not just as consumers but as co-authors of alternative narratives in moments of uncertainty."
Newly published in HSK Misinfo Review, "Emotional resonance and participatory misinformation: Learning from a K-pop controversy," co-authored by @cip.uw.edu senior research scientist Rachel Moran-Prestridge and @ischool.uw.edu professor Jin Ha Lee. misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/emot...
Emotional resonance and participatory misinformation: Learning from a K-pop controversy | HKS Misinformation Review
In today’s digital media environment, emotionally resonant narratives often spread faster and stick more firmly than verifiable facts. This paper explores how emotionally charged communication in onli...
misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu
February 6, 2026 at 1:32 AM
Newly published in HSK Misinfo Review, "Emotional resonance and participatory misinformation: Learning from a K-pop controversy," co-authored by @cip.uw.edu senior research scientist Rachel Moran-Prestridge and @ischool.uw.edu professor Jin Ha Lee. misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/emot...
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
🧵Applications are now open for the second-ever Disinformation Summer Institute, taking place June 15-18, 2026 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The deadline to apply is February 15.
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
🧵Applications are now open for the second-ever Disinformation Summer Institute, taking place June 15-18, 2026 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The deadline to apply is February 15.
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
Congrats to @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social!
HCDE Professor Kate Starbird has been named an ACM Fellow, one of the highest honors in computing. She's recognized for contributions to understanding and improving information ecosystems, including during crisis events and addressing misinformation. www.hcde.washington.edu/news/article...
Professor Kate Starbird named ACM Fellow for advancing research on misinformation and information ecosystems
HCDE Professor Kate Starbird has been named an ACM Fellow, one of the highest honors in computing, for her groundbreaking research on misinformation and online information ecosystems. The honor recogn...
www.hcde.washington.edu
January 22, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Congrats to @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social!
Learn more about the Disinformation Summer Institute: disinfoinstitute.org
Disinformation Summer Institute (DSI) - Disinformation Summer Institute
Disinformation Disinformation is false or misleading information created and spread to advance policy, political, economic or ideological goals. It is sometimes used by industries, governments, and ot...
disinfoinstitute.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Learn more about the Disinformation Summer Institute: disinfoinstitute.org
DSI core faculty includes CIP co-founder @jevinwest.bsky.social. Guest faculty includes CIP co-founders @rcalo.bsky.social @emmaspiro.bsky.social @katestarbird.bsky.social and CIP faculty member @carlbergstrom.com.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
DSI core faculty includes CIP co-founder @jevinwest.bsky.social. Guest faculty includes CIP co-founders @rcalo.bsky.social @emmaspiro.bsky.social @katestarbird.bsky.social and CIP faculty member @carlbergstrom.com.
The Disinformation Summer Institute is made possible through support from @cip.uw.edu, the Rockefeller Family Fund, the @cssn.org at Brown University, and the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC San Diego.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The Disinformation Summer Institute is made possible through support from @cip.uw.edu, the Rockefeller Family Fund, the @cssn.org at Brown University, and the Institute for Practical Ethics at UC San Diego.
There is no fee to attend. The cost of economy travel and lodging will be covered for graduate students and at least partially defrayed for postdocs and assistant professors. Please indicate on the application form what you will need.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
There is no fee to attend. The cost of economy travel and lodging will be covered for graduate students and at least partially defrayed for postdocs and assistant professors. Please indicate on the application form what you will need.
More senior scholars and practitioners who have recently moved into this domain are also encouraged to apply.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
More senior scholars and practitioners who have recently moved into this domain are also encouraged to apply.
This 4-day, intensive summer institute is intended primarily for advanced PhD candidates, advanced law and medical students, postdoctoral scholars and early career researchers seeking to better understand and address disinformation.
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
This 4-day, intensive summer institute is intended primarily for advanced PhD candidates, advanced law and medical students, postdoctoral scholars and early career researchers seeking to better understand and address disinformation.
🧵Applications are now open for the second-ever Disinformation Summer Institute, taking place June 15-18, 2026 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The deadline to apply is February 15.
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
January 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
🧵Applications are now open for the second-ever Disinformation Summer Institute, taking place June 15-18, 2026 on Bainbridge Island, Washington. The deadline to apply is February 15.
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
Learn more: disinfoinstitute.org
To learn more about frames and framing and the role they play in sensemaking about breaking news events and how they fit into the production and spread of rumors, conspiracy theories, misinformation, disinformation and propaganda, see this previous article: www.cip.uw.edu/2023/12/06/r...
Facts, frames, and (mis)interpretations: Understanding rumors as collective sensemaking
The communicative solution to pervasive misinformation is not better facts, but better frames.
www.cip.uw.edu
January 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
To learn more about frames and framing and the role they play in sensemaking about breaking news events and how they fit into the production and spread of rumors, conspiracy theories, misinformation, disinformation and propaganda, see this previous article: www.cip.uw.edu/2023/12/06/r...
No matter what your politics and/or values are at this moment, @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social writes in a blog post that "it’s vital to understand the online dynamics and political strategies that are shaping how we see the world."
www.cip.uw.edu/2026/01/15/f...
www.cip.uw.edu/2026/01/15/f...
Framing the killing of Renee Nicole Good
Within minutes of her death in Minneapolis, efforts began to shape how audiences interpreted the available evidence.
www.cip.uw.edu
January 15, 2026 at 7:33 PM
No matter what your politics and/or values are at this moment, @cip.uw.edu co-founder @katestarbird.bsky.social writes in a blog post that "it’s vital to understand the online dynamics and political strategies that are shaping how we see the world."
www.cip.uw.edu/2026/01/15/f...
www.cip.uw.edu/2026/01/15/f...
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
Emmett’s thread offers a very succinct summary of our team’s recent “frameworks” paper, which describes our motivation and methodological approach for supporting collective sensemaking thru rapid research in a university setting. We’re planning another full deployment for the 2026 U.S. election.
Last week I wrote about how these rumor disasters happen and a little comms advice on how to prep and respond. But the @cip.uw.edu recently wrote a approach that could be expanded to inoculate communities by covering in real time how rumors spread. 🧵
/1
/1
1/ Ever wonder how a rumor in MN becomes a physical confrontation in WA in 72 hours? It’s a new model: Participatory Disinformation. WA's digital ecosystem is perfectly primed for these outbreaks. 🧵
January 13, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Emmett’s thread offers a very succinct summary of our team’s recent “frameworks” paper, which describes our motivation and methodological approach for supporting collective sensemaking thru rapid research in a university setting. We’re planning another full deployment for the 2026 U.S. election.
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
Postdoctoral positions: Our team at the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public is accepting applications for up to two postdoc positions, starting in Fall 2026. Priority deadline is Jan 15. If you know someone who might be interested, let them know!
We're currently accepting applications to hire up to two @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholars to join our team in Seattle. The priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Postdoctoral positions: Our team at the University of Washington's Center for an Informed Public is accepting applications for up to two postdoc positions, starting in Fall 2026. Priority deadline is Jan 15. If you know someone who might be interested, let them know!
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) welcomed Ryan Calo to their board. Professor Calo teaches in both @uwlaw.bsky.social and the Information School, and co-founded @techpolicylab.bsky.social & @cip.uw.edu. He's testified before the Senate 4x. @rcalo.bsky.social epic.org/press-releas...
PRESS RELEASE: EPIC Welcomes Three Distinguished Members to its Board of Directors
epic.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:53 PM
The Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) welcomed Ryan Calo to their board. Professor Calo teaches in both @uwlaw.bsky.social and the Information School, and co-founded @techpolicylab.bsky.social & @cip.uw.edu. He's testified before the Senate 4x. @rcalo.bsky.social epic.org/press-releas...
We're currently accepting applications to hire up to two @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholars to join our team in Seattle. The priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:48 PM
We're currently accepting applications to hire up to two @cip.uw.edu postdoctoral scholars to join our team in Seattle. The priority deadline to apply is January 15, 2026.
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
For the position description, salary range, qualifications and application process, click here: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
Since 2020, our team has iterated on a model for “rapid research” to help surface, analyze, & resolve rumors about election administration. This work demonstrates an innovative role for researchers to support public sensemaking during rapidly unfolding events.
uw.pressbooks.pub/rapidresearc...
uw.pressbooks.pub/rapidresearc...
Being Sensemakers: A Framework for University-Based Rapid Research of Elections, Crisis Events, and Beyond – Simple Book Publishing
A framework for university-based rapid research of elections, crisis events, and beyond
uw.pressbooks.pub
December 16, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Since 2020, our team has iterated on a model for “rapid research” to help surface, analyze, & resolve rumors about election administration. This work demonstrates an innovative role for researchers to support public sensemaking during rapidly unfolding events.
uw.pressbooks.pub/rapidresearc...
uw.pressbooks.pub/rapidresearc...
Reposted by Center for an Informed Public
Recently accepted at ICWSM: arxiv.org/abs/2512.06129 (w/ @kayladuskin.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, and @emmaspiro.bsky.social)
We look at how algorithmic feeds affect Twitter account visibility. More visible accounts:
-Are agitators
-Get attention from Elon Musk
-Are not legacy verified
We look at how algorithmic feeds affect Twitter account visibility. More visible accounts:
-Are agitators
-Get attention from Elon Musk
-Are not legacy verified
Rabble-Rousers in the New King's Court: Algorithmic Effects on Account Visibility in Pre-X Twitter
Algorithmic effects on social media platforms have come under recent scrutiny, with several works reporting that right-leaning accounts tend to receive more exposure. In this paper, we expand upon thi...
arxiv.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:27 PM
Recently accepted at ICWSM: arxiv.org/abs/2512.06129 (w/ @kayladuskin.bsky.social, @katestarbird.bsky.social, and @emmaspiro.bsky.social)
We look at how algorithmic feeds affect Twitter account visibility. More visible accounts:
-Are agitators
-Get attention from Elon Musk
-Are not legacy verified
We look at how algorithmic feeds affect Twitter account visibility. More visible accounts:
-Are agitators
-Get attention from Elon Musk
-Are not legacy verified