Malign information influence as a cognitive threat

The project focuses on malign information influence, which often includes outright disinformation. It builds on extensive expertise in the field that has been developed through many years of research on threats in the information environment. The project is relevant to cognitive warfare.

The project aims to generate knowledge within two main strands: threats and harmful effects, and countermeasures. These strands are closely interlinked. In order to anticipate harmful effects and design effective solutions, research into the nature of the threat and its characteristics is required.

Research on threats analyses malicious information influence in the form of messages disseminated through narratives by antagonistic actors with the aim of misleading, causing harm, and gaining power advantages. One focus is on how antagonistic actors construct and tailor messages to influence and cause harm in relation to different audiences, ranging from states and regions to groups and individuals.

Research on harmful effects places particular emphasis on cognition. It examines to what extent, how, and why the potential harms identified in the threat-focused research actually materialise. This includes studies of effects such as the undermining of trust in armed forces and politicians, increased polarisation, and the misrepresentation of specific issues. A central question concerns the mechanisms that make different individuals, groups, or states more or less susceptible to harmful messages.

Research on countermeasures explores how resilience to malicious information influence can be effectively strengthened in Sweden and in allied states.

The methods used for data collection range from qualitative approaches (primarily narrative analyses, in-depth interviews, and focus groups) to quantitative approaches (primarily experimental studies and surveys). In some projects, mixed methods are applied.

The project addresses the following overarching research questions:

• What types of harmful messages are disseminated in the global digital sphere?
• How are these messages constructed and tailored to gain traction?
• What effects are generated among different audiences?
• How can harmful effects be minimised through effective countermeasures?