ISD 2022 Highlights

Dear Friends and Partners,

 

We couldn’t do what we do without your partnership and support! This year our research teams have shown how extremists, conspiracy networks, hate groups and authoritarian states borrow from each other’s playbooks and amplify each other’s narratives. We have shown repeatedly how profits are being made from hate and disinformation and how social media products and algorithms are supercharging everything from electoral disinformation to misogyny.

 

Our digital policy team has used this insight to move the needle on tech platform action and regulation and where bad actors seek to exacerbate division and undermine trust, we have built out our programming to meet the evolving challenge. In 2022, our teams helped safeguard elections in the US, France, Kenya, and Australia, protect targeted communities from harassment and violence, and counter conspiracy and disinformation on Ukraine, climate, migration and public health.

 

Alongside the significant expansion of ISD US and ISD Germany this year, our Strong Cities Network (SCN) launched the build-out of regional hubs – from East and Southern Africa to MENA and the Western Balkans – serving mayors and local leaders, sharing and delivering good practices and training to address threats where they are felt most acutely, at a local level within communities around the world.

 

Below you will find highlights from our work in 2022. As we move into 2023, your continued support and partnership are crucial to us. With immense gratitude from all of us here at ISD, we wish you a peaceful and happy new year, and look forward to working together in 2023!

 

Sasha Havlicek, CEO

 

Research highlights: 

  • Mitigating new frontiers in disinformation: Elections, Ukraine, Climate and more
    • Safeguarding elections
    • Countering disinformation on Ukraine
    • Driving action on climate disinformation
  • Research and action on conspiracy, extremism and hate
    • Misogyny and targeted hate against women
    • Targeted hate against LGBTQ+ people
    • Research and action on antisemitism
  • Tech platform accountability and action
    • Evidencing platform harms
    • Digital policy and regulation
  • Strong Cities Network