TaCT-FoRSED: Combating conspiracy theories, strengthening democracies

Conspiracy theories destroy trust, poison dialogue and endanger liberal democracy. The EU research project TaCT-FoRSED (Tackling Conspiracy Theories by Fostering Resilience and Self-Efficacy in Democracies) addresses precisely this issue: scientifically grounded, networked across Europe and practically oriented.

Mistrust of the media, politics and science is growing. Populists offer simple bogeymen – and many believe them. Those who imagine themselves caught up in a global conspiracy lose touch with reality and with democracy. TaCT-FoRSED is taking a stand against this: through research, education and public awareness. For a resilient, robust democracy. Nine partners from five countries – universities, educational institutions, NGOs – are collaborating under the leadership of the University of Passau. The focus: understanding the causes of conspiracy theories, strengthening education, advising policymakers, and reaching the public.

1. Generating knowledge: How do conspiracy theories work?

The project investigates why people believe in conspiracies – and how this can be stopped. Surveys in 18 European countries – including Germany – aim to clarify which socio-cultural, educational and media-related factors foster conspiracy thinking.

In in-depth interviews with former believers, the researchers are seeking solutions: What helps people to break free from conspiracy beliefs? What strengthens their democratic resilience?

The analysis of political discourse aims to show: How much conspiracy thinking is already present in parliamentary speeches, party manifestos and the media?

The establishment of an international network of researchers and practitioners is intended to serve as a permanent platform for knowledge transfer, mutual learning about political strategies and instruments (policy learning), and the exchange of innovations.

2. Strengthening resilience through political education

TaCT-FoRSED designs freely accessible, free educational materials (Open Educational Resources) with a focus on democratic competence, media literacy and self-efficacy, which deprive conspiracy theories of their breeding ground. The project develops its own materials and critically analyses existing educational resources, contextualising them for classroom use. NGOs, teaching staff and pupils are to test these materials together in a playful and practical manner and be involved in their further development. Gender and diversity dimensions are also incorporated. Furthermore, practical guides are to be produced for teacher training, out-of-school educational work and civic engagement.

3. Advising policymakers and embedding strategies against disinformation

The research findings will inform clear recommendations for action for policymakers and public administration at EU, federal and state levels. The recommendations will build on existing EU strategies, such as those on promoting democracy, integration or media literacy.

The aim is to create a social climate that is equipped to counter disinformation and populist oversimplifications.

4. Reaching society through public engagement

All project results will be freely available online. Furthermore, TaCT-FoRSED is taking a creative approach to public engagement. A graphic novel-style comic aims to make the topic accessible to young people – in all the languages of the partner countries. Events, networking meetings and online platforms foster dialogue between academia and society.

Strongly interdisciplinary – socially relevant

TaCT-FoRSED works in an interdisciplinary manner, combining empirical social research, discourse analysis and educational field research. The project also considers social inequalities and power structures in the respective countries as relevant factors in the conspiracy theory issue.

The vision: A resilient democracy with critical, self-confident citizens

Democracy is complex – that is its weakness. And at the same time, its strength. TaCT-FoRSED aims not only to address symptoms in the short term, but to permanently strengthen structures for the defence of democracy in Europe. Through knowledge. Through education. Through participation.

BayFOR@Work

“BayFOR worked through the Horizon Europe application step by step with us project coordinators and gave us many valuable tips, particularly regarding the weighting of Objectives, Methods and Impact. Without BayFOR, we would not have been successful.”
Prof. Dr Oliver Hidalgo, University of Passau