Join us for the latest talk in our Distinguished Scholars Colloquium Series: Misunderstanding the Harms of Online Misinformation with Dr. Brendan Nyhan (Dartmouth College).
Abstract: Misperceptions can shape public opinion and influence policy on major issues in politics, science, and health. But how much do we really understand about misinformation online?
In this talk, Dr. Brendan Nyhan will examine the evidence behind common myths about misinformation including:
- Most Americans are trapped in online echo chambers
- False news and extreme content are widely consumed
- Social media causes widespread societal harms
- Fact-checks often backfire
In each case, conventional wisdom may misunderstand the problem in ways that could undermine efforts to address it effectively.
About Brendan Nyhan: Brendan Nyhan is the James O. Freedman Presidential Professor in the Department of Government at Dartmouth College. His research, which focuses on misperceptions, online information exposure, and democratic erosion, has been published in journals including Nature, Science, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, American Journal of Political Science, Journal of Politics, Nature Human Behaviour, Pediatrics, and Vaccine. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and a former Guggenheim and Carnegie Fellow. Nyhan also co-directs Bright Line Watch, a nonpartisan watchdog that monitors the status of American democracy. He was previously a contributor to The Upshot at The New York Times and a media critic for Columbia Journalism Review; co-founder of Spinsanity, a non-partisan watchdog of political spin syndicated in the Philadelphia Inquirer; and co-author of All the President's Spin, a New York Times bestseller.
RSVP Today
The C-SPAM Distinguished Scholars Colloquium Series recognizes accomplished scholars in the science of polarization and misinformation and encourages excellence in the field. Learn more about the series →
We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. For inquiries about accessibility or to request an accommodation, please email cspam@osu.edu.
