Disinformation
ISD identifies, monitors and analyses online information operations targeting elections and policy agendas.
ISD’s research on disinformation is a central pillar of our Digital Analysis Unit. Using state-of-the-art data analytics, OSINT techniques and ethnographic research, we investigate the complex relationship between foreign state and transnational non-state actors attempting to undermine democracy and promote polarisation through online manipulation and disinformation.
ISD, in partnership with LSE Arena and CASM, has analysed malicious campaigns launched during a number of elections including the 2017 German Federal Election, 2018 Swedish Election, 2018 Bavarian State Elections, 2019 European Parliamentary Elections and 2020 US Presidential Election. ISD’s analysis of disinformation also covers the use of online manipulation to target policy issues, including climate change and migration.
ISD’s work surveys the wide range of disinformation tactics used to promote polarisation, to undermine elections and to threaten democratic discourse. This includes smear and defamation campaigns, distortive and deceptive content and identities, and the range of inorganic methods used to covertly amplify this content to wider audiences.
ISD uses this research to provide timely and evidence-based data to media, policy and civil society representatives. We aim to enable rapid responses to emerging and long-term disinformation threats and malicious uses of social media that target democracies and democratic processes. ISD’s evidence base also feeds into ongoing debates on platform accountability and regulation.

Launch of the Google Impact Challenge for Safety
Munich, Germany, 2019
ISD’s Disinformation research team

Milo Comerford
Head of Policy & Research, Counter-Extremism


Jiore Craig
Head of Digital Integrity

Jiore Craig
Head of Digital Integrity

Jacob Davey
Head of Research & Policy, Far-right and Hate Movements


Jennie King
Head of Civic Action and Education


Henry Tuck
Head of Policy & Programmes


Till Baaken
Senior Manager, Projects and Development, ISD Germany


Jasmine El-Gamal
Senior Manager, AMEA

Jasmine El-Gamal
Senior Manager, AMEA

Cooper Gatewood
Senior Digital Research Manager

Cooper Gatewood
Senior Digital Research Manager

Charlotte Moeyens
Senior Manager, Networks & Civic Action

Charlotte Moeyens
Senior Manager, Networks & Civic Action

Mauritius Dorn
Digital Policy Fellow

Mauritius Dorn
Digital Policy Fellow

Jakob Guhl
Research Manager


Dominik Hammer
Research Manager, ISD Germany

Dominik Hammer
Research Manager, ISD Germany

Christian Schwieter
Project Manager, Policy and Research, ISD Germany


Cécile Simmons
Research Manager

Cécile Simmons
Research Manager

Kata Balint
Analyst


Lea Gerster
Analyst

Lea Gerster
Analyst

Mackenzie Hart
Analyst

Mackenzie Hart
Analyst

Sasha Moriniere
Analyst

Sasha Moriniere
Analyst

Sara Bundtzen
Research and Policy Associate, ISD Germany

Sara Bundtzen
Research and Policy Associate, ISD Germany

Paula Matlach
Research Associate

Paula Matlach
Research Associate