Partners and policymakers

How we work

Our consistent approach to training and media literacy modules allows us to measure our work and contribute our findings from school children, teachers and journalists in a meaningful way.

We gather anonymised and GDPR-compliant feedback to contribute up-to-date insights into current policy debates on awareness of and resilience to disinformation and the effectiveness of measures taken to counter disinformation, including media literacy training.

Our Data

Lie Detectors has developed its most recent questionnaires with the kind guidance of media sociologist Divina Frau-Meigs (La Sorbonne), cognitive psychologist Stephan Lewandowsky (University of Bristol), the University of Munich and the University of Muenster.

Analysis of our data results in the publication of data briefings on trends in information media usage by young people and their teachers. We are able to use these briefings and other insights gathered from visiting thousands of schools across Europe to inform policy discussions via advisory roles in education policy and data rights​​.

Key policy recommendations

Here is a summary of our key policy recommendations:

  • Cross-curricular priority: Integrate media literacy training into all school and teacher-training curricula; OECD/PISA should assess critical media literacy as core literacy.

  • Sustainability in education: Ensure measurability of media literacy work to guarantee impact and secure long-term policy focus.

  • Sustainability and credibility through funding: Devise long-term funding to ensure the independence of teacher-training, media literacy teaching and journalism.

  • Smart focus on digital rights: Beware the risks and limitations of content moderation and content removal.

  • Combat the financial drivers of disinformation: Take action against the algorithms of online platforms that create polarisation and the use of behavioural data.

Testimonials

  • "The research published today by our hosts, the lie detectors, confirms that a major tool to fight disinformation is education. I am convinced that in the long term we will not find a better way of empowering people than by increasing the level of digital literacy."

    Vera Jourova, Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency

  • "That was really great. These sort of sessions are far too few and far between in our school schedule."

    15-year-old student , Berlin, Germany

  • "Lie Detectors is a powerful answer to disinformation."

    Mariya Gabriel, Former European Commissioner for Education and Youth

Research work guided by

Get In Touch

Contact us to find out more

Resources

Featured
Lie Detectors: The Pupils’ Perspective
Lie Detectors: The Pupils’ Perspective

Insights: As part of an evaluation collaboration with the University of Southern Denmark and Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich, this briefing examines positive student contact with journalists and pupils’ resulting increased motivation to verify online content. Is the Lie Detectors approach to digital media literacy effectively producing change?

Remote possibility: Scaling media literacy in underserved regions and communities
Remote possibility: Scaling media literacy in underserved regions and communities

Insights: Media literacy training delivered to students via video-conferencing has declined since the end of the Covid pandemic. But for remote regions, online offerings provide much-needed training with almost undiminished impact. Based on impact surveys among children and teachers. 

Can Teachers Tackle Disinformation? Exploring Hurdles and Solutions
Can Teachers Tackle Disinformation? Exploring Hurdles and Solutions

Insights: Based on 665 responses from teachers across five countries, this survey explores high interest, persisting limitations and opportunities for upskilling teacher communities on digital media literacy.