The spread of misinformation and information manipulation poses serious challenges to contemporary societies. Misinformation threatens individuals’ well-being, health, and prosperity, as well as national security, social cohesion, the functioning of democracy, the legitimacy of elections, and overall levels of trust in society. In Estonia, among our allies, and globally, efforts are underway to identify effective ways to address information disorder and mitigate the risks arising from it.

At the University of Tartu, several units are engaged in the research and teaching of disinformation, its dissemination, and interventions. To foster coordinated collaboration across disciplines and units, and to strengthen institutional competencies and capacities, we have established a multidisciplinary collaboration platform that brings together and develops expertise on information disorder at the University of Tartu. The platform is engaged in fundamental and applied research, the provision of expert knowledge, and the development of degree education and continuing education. It facilitates collaboration by connecting expertise from a wide range of academic disciplines and fields.

The Disinformation Collaboration Platform is created on the foundation of the Baltic Engagement Centre for Combating Information Disorders (BECID), an intervention centre for information disorder operating within the Institute of Social Studies.

In addition to the Institute of Social Studies, the collaboration involves the Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies, the School of Economics and Business Administration, the Institute of Family Medicine and Public Health, the Institute of Computer Science, and the Institute of Foreign Languages and Cultures. Within the framework of the project, disinformation-related cooperation across the university is coordinated through the recruitment of project coordinators or researchers working on the topic within participating units. The platform brings together activities such as networking and outreach events, joint projects, the development of interdisciplinary teaching materials, and the organisation of events, seminars, and training sessions for students and staff. From 2026 onwards, the scope of the work will also extend beyond the university.