CIP News & Insights Newsletter | April 2025

Apr 22, 2025

Kate Starbird presents a lecture on stage in a packed ballroom with a large screen to her left.

This is the web version of the April 2025 edition of the Center for an Informed Public‘s News & Insights newsletter that was originally sent out on April 22, 2025.

During 2025 University Faculty Lecture, CIP’s Kate Starbird discusses how influence and improvisation shape online conversations

At the 2025 University Faculty Lecture, CIP co-founder Kate Starbird discussed her work understanding how online rumors, misinformation and disinformation are created and shared in uncertain times — shining a light on the roles we and others play on social media and beyond.

An aerial view of Drumheller Fountain.

Make an online donation to support the Center for an Informed Public’s general operations.
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Headshot of Alexandros Efstratiou.Alexandros Efstratiou starts postdoctoral work at CIP

In his research, Alexandros Efstratiou analyzes the social mechanisms through which polarization and misinformation are interrelated.
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A view of the UW Quad with green lawns and cherry blossom trees.CIP announces appointments for 8 new faculty members

The new affiliated faculty, representing five schools and departments at UW Seattle and UW Bothell, bolster the CIP’s multidisciplinary expertise.
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A headshot of Cullen White.CIP names new director of strategy and operations

Cullen White is a strategic operations leader with more than 15 years of experience driving organizational transformation and social impact initiatives.
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Shahan Ali Memon, Jevin West and Katy E. Pearce

CIP experts to be featured in ‘Preparing informed citizens in an AI-powered world’ webinar discussion

How can we empower students and members of society to navigate its complexities as informed and engaged citizens? How do we teach individuals to critically evaluate information generated by artificial intelligence, harness its potential responsibly and uphold essential skills like critical thinking and effective communication? During a webinar co-hosted with UW Impact later today at 5–6 p.m. (Pacific), CIP-affiliated experts Shahan Ali Memon, Katy Pearce and Jevin West will share their insights. This virtual event is currently at capacity, but you can register for the waitlist and receive a follow-up message with the event recording.

A group of students sitting at a table working on a group learning activity.

CIP hosts more than 500 WA students, teachers and librarians for MisinfoDay 2025 at the UW

More than 500 Washington high school students, teachers and librarians gathered at the University of Washington in Seattle on March 17 for MisinfoDay 2025, an annual event featuring educational workshops, gaming activities and other programming aimed to help participants navigate complex information environments and make informed decisions about what they see online.

Illustration of a robot manipulating a search bar as if it's a puppeteer generated by You.com’s Create mode.

Modern-day oracles or bullshit machines?

The CIP’s Carl Bergstrom and Jevin West have introduced a free online humanities course about how to learn, work and thrive in an increasingly AI-dominated world.
// FREE ONLINE COURSE

A smartphone showing a news app with headlines.7 ways to cultivate a healthy news diet

In a Cascade PBS interview, CIP co-founder Chris Coward, an iSchool senior principal research scientist, said: “We want people to have a healthy skepticism, but not become cynical.”
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Emma Spiro and Jevin West sitting at a committee hearing room table.

Spiro, West share highlights from CIP research, statewide impact during WA House committee session in Olympia

During an April 1 Washington House State Government & Tribal Affairs Committee work session in Olympia, CIP co-founders Emma Spiro and Jevin West presented an overview of the CIP’s research portfolio, programs and impact across the state, especially concerning the CIP’s efforts around media literacy education and intergenerational learning.

 

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