Beyond Disinformation is a two-day master class for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of influence and cognitive security. Taught by a former U.S. government trainer, it offers a new framework for recognising and responding to influence operations. It examines how cognitive manipulation is used to shatter trust and undermine democratic integrity.
Through a weaving together of scholarship, case studies, discussion, and group-based exercises, participants will gain practical insight into the dynamics of modern propaganda and how to coordinate effective countervailing responses. Integrating theory and practice, graduates will emerge with a holistic framework for understanding and responding to 21st-century influence operations.
This training is designed for working professionals charged with detecting, characterising, and/or coordinating responses to influence operations. The course frames disinformation within a broader ecosystem of coordinated influence and emphasises how actors exploit underlying social and psychological vulnerabilities to produce behavioral outcomes. Participants are encouraged to think critically about both threats and response options, including the ethical and operational implications of specific countermeasures.
Ideal for:
- Disinformation and influence operation researchers
- Communications and strategic response professionals
- OSINT investigators and digital analysts
- Civil society organisations working on information integrity
- Policy advisors and democracy protection practitioners
- Journalists and investigative researchers
- Platform trust and safety professionals
By the end of the training, participants will be able to situate disinformation within the wider influence landscape, identify key mechanisms of cognitive and networked manipulation, and assess appropriate response strategies in complex digital environments.
The framework is built around three key components:
- How Propaganda Works: Understanding the underlying social, psychological, and technological factors that render us vulnerable to propaganda and influence operations
- Defensive Strategies: Examining the range and relative effectiveness of different defensive strategies, including fact-checking, media literacy, debunking, and platform regulation
- Offensive Measures: Introducing a model for imposing costs and designing effective countervailing campaigns that are aligned with democratic norms and values
The course emphasises applied learning and participant engagement, including through interactive case studies. No specific background is required, but we encourage participants to share specific insights from their professional experience during the course.
The training is delivered over two days through a combination of presentations, discussions, case studies, and group-based exercises. Participants will acquire a common foundation in the dynamics of influence and then examine the operational realities of identifying and responding to coordinated information activity.
The training runs from 09:00 to 16:00 CEST, with a 90-minute lunch break and two 15-minute breaks each day.
Highlights:
- 2-Day Master Class – Designed for busy professionals with previous experience
- Systems Approach – Frames cognitive manipulation as part of an interconnected ecosystem
- Practical Insight – Combines psychology, media dynamics, and platform mechanics
- Real-world Application – Integrates practical exercises using real-world scenarios
Available Dates
Interested in a tailored course?
Interested in a tailored course?
Looking for a tailored solution? We can create a personalized offer for groups, organizations, or special requirements. Tell us a little about your needs, preferred dates, and group size, and we’ll get back to you with a detailed rate and flexible options.
Contact us for a personalized offerYour Instructors
David Millar
Additional Information
Need an invoice? Email julian@alliance4europe.eu.
Reserve your place in this high-level group experience. Empower yourself with the advanced framework and practical skills used by the world’s leading counter-propaganda specialists!