Nina Jankowicz, American disinformation expert and author of How to Lose the Information War and How to Be a Woman Online, and Van Badham, activist, playwright, and author of QAnon and On, will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh to discuss disinformation, online harms, and their effect on elections in 2024 and beyond.

2024 is a year in which half the world's population has voted or will vote. From the upcoming U.S. Presidential and Congressional elections, to consequential contests in India, the European Union, and statewide elections in Australia, democracy is on the ballot this year. But how are voters getting their information? The online ecosystem is more polluted than ever: disinformation for power and for profit flood social media platforms, which have reduced their commitments to trust and safety online. Generative Artificial Intelligence threatens to deceive through fake photos and videos, and is lowering the barriers to creating text based "fake news" at scale. What can individuals do to navigate—and reverse the degradation of—this information environment?

Unpacking conspiracy theories, online misogyny, and disinformation's effect on democracy, Jankowicz and Badham will give a global perspective on a challenge that affects us all, and empower audiences with tools they can use in their daily lives to address it.

Nina Jankowicz is an internationally-recognized expert on disinformation and democratization and one of TIME magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in AI. In 2024, she co-founded the American Sunlight Project, a non-profit focused on countering disinformation. Jankowicz has advised governments, international organizations, and tech companies and testified before the US Congress, UK Parliament and European Parliament. Between 2017-2022, Jankowicz held fellowships at the Wilson Center, where she was affiliated with the Kennan Institute and the Science and Technology Innovation Program. Nina received her MA in Russian, Eurasian, and East European Studies from Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service, and her BA from Bryn Mawr College.

Van Badham is an internationally award-winning writer, theatre-maker, Guardian columnist and occasional media commentator for outlets ranging from Al Jazeera to The Telegraph UK. The Age and The New York Times. Van is an outspoken advocate for gender equality, industrial rights in the workplace, social justice and environmental causes. She was a Walkley finalist for her non-fiction book debut, 2021’s best-selling QAnon And On: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults In 2023, she hosted the documentary series Dusted for ABC Radio National’s The History Listen and is a regular guest for RN’s Statewide.

Andrew Leigh is the Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities, Treasury and Employment, and Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT. Before being elected in 2010, Andrew was a Professor of Economics at The Australian National University. He holds a PhD in Public Policy from Harvard and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences. Andrew is the author or co-author of ten books, on topics including innovation, inequality, community, globalisation and existential risk.

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event.

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A podcast will be made available after the event.

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