2023 Citrin Center Conference

Misinformation and Its Consequences for American Democracy

This one-day conference brings together prominent political researchers and practitioners to discuss the origins and consequences of misinformation, as well as strategies to reduce its prevalence and pernicious effects. The day features new research by leading scholars into why citizens come to be misinformed and which strategies to reduce or correct misinformation do and do not work; an address on the steps the United States has and has not been taking to fight disinformation; and a wide-ranging roundtable discussion of the problem of mis(dis)information in media and politics. 

Links to view the Conference are available below

Flyer 2023 Citrin Center Conference - Misinformation and its Consequences for American Democracy

The Citrin Conference is a bi-annual event of the Citrin Center for Public Opinion Research. The Conference invites leading scholars and practitioners to present their research and discuss a pressing topic in politics and public policy, emphasizing the role of public opinion. Previous conferences focused on gender and politics (2019) and on distrust of government (2017). The 2023 Conference addresses mis(dis)information in America.

Conference Program

Coffee & Breakfast Snacks: 9:15-9:45

Welcome & Introductions – Gabriel Lenz: 9:45-10:00

The Roots of Misinformation: 10:00-11:45. VIEW RECORDING

  • Emily Thorson — “Why Policy Misperceptions Matter”
  • Joshua Tucker — “Do Your Own Research: How Searching Online to Evaluate Misinformation Can Make You More Likely to Believe it is True!”
  • Adam Berinsky —“Political Rumors: Why We Believe Misinformation and How to Fight it”
  • Moderator: Cecilia Mo

Lunch: 11:45-12:30

Keynote Address: 12:30-1:15. VIEW RECORDING

  • Nathaniel Persily — “A Strategic Retreat in the Disinformation Wars”
  • Moderator: Jack Citrin

Break: 1:15-1:30

Combating Misinformation: 1:30-3:15. VIEW RECORDING

  • Miriam Metzger — “Facts About Fact-Checkers: Comparing Public Perceptions and Effectiveness of Different Sources Fact-Checking Information”
  • Emily Vraga — “The Case for Correction: A Framework for Evaluating Strategies to Address Misinformation”
  • Brendan Nyhan — “Corrections vs. Prebunking: Testing Different Approaches to Promoting Confidence in U.S. Elections”
  • Moderator: Amy Lerman

Break: 3:15-3:30

Roundtable: 3:30-5:00. The Problem of Mis(Dis)information in Media & Politics (RECORDING NOT AVAILABLE)

  • Beth Goldberg
  • Richard Pan
  • Ann Ravel
  • John Thomas

Moderator: David Carrillo

Reception: 5:00-5:45

Participant information here