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Strengthening Democracies, Building Resilience and Resistance to Information Disorders University of Tartu

Highlights
Tuition fee
700 EUR / full
700 EUR / full
Unknown
Tuition fee
700 EUR / full
700 EUR / full
Unknown
Duration
13 days
Duration
13 days
Apply date
Unknown
Apply date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Start date
Unknown
Campus location
Tartu, Estonia
Campus location
Tartu, Estonia
Taught in
English
Taught in
English

About

This summer school offers a structured exploration of information disorders and their impact on democratic societies.

Overview

On-site in Tartu 27 July – 7 August 2026

From hybrid warfare tactics to AI-generated content, the flood of information in today’s attention economy polarises societies and strains civil discourse. This summer school offers a clear, structured look at these issues through the lens of media and communication. Over two weeks, participants will explore why public discussion spaces falter, how disinformation spreads, and what practical steps can strengthen resilience. Drawing on media studies, scientific literacy, and critical analysis, the course blends conceptual understanding with applied exercises, helping participants navigate the complexities of information disorder in both academic and professional contexts.

Across thirteen days, participants will engage with key questions: What makes disinformation a “wicked problem”? How do public discussion spaces become vulnerable? Sessions combine conceptual introductions with practical exercises, including case studies, media literacy approaches, and hands-on OSINT practice. Topics range from research quality and scientific literacy to AI-driven challenges, hybrid warfare tactics, and resilience strategies at individual, institutional, and policy levels.

The course is designed for critical engagement rather than technical mastery, providing participants with a deeper understanding of the dynamics of information disorder and practical insights into countering its effects. This is a great preparatory course for anyone considering a master’s or doctoral degree and wanting to try out research methods in the context of information disorder.

Accreditation

Every seven years, all Estonian higher education institutions must undergo external evaluation – institutional accreditation. The latest assessment took place in 2022. The assessment council of the Estonian Quality Agency for Education decided to accredit the University of Tartu for the next seven years (2023-2029).

Programme Structure

Learning outcomes

  • Explain the concept of information disorder and its impact on democratic societies and public discourse.
  • Identify key mechanisms and narratives that drive disinformation across news and social media platforms.
  • Evaluate the quality and relevance of information sources, including academic research and media content.
  • Apply basic principles of scientific literacy and source criticism when engaging with complex information environments.
  • Recognise emerging challenges posed by AI-generated content and understand their implications for trust and credibility.
  • Describe resilience strategies at individual, institutional, and policy levels, including media and information literacy interventions.
  • Perform introductory OSINT (Open Source Intelligence) tasks to locate and verify publicly available information.
  • Audience

    bachelor's, master's, lifelong learners

    Lecturers

    • Lecturers

      Maria Murumaa-Mengel• Ragne Kõuts-Klemm• Andra Siibak• Marju Himma• Ebe Pilt• Maia Klaassen• Inger Klesment• Anna Danielyan• Gretel Juhansoo

    Key information

    Duration

    • Full-time
      • 13 days

    Start dates & application deadlines

    More details

    Apply by 26 March 2026 to get the Early Bird discount of!

    Language

    English

    Credits

    3 ECTS

    Delivered

    On Campus

    Campus Location

    • Tartu, Estonia

    What students do after studying

    Join for free or log in to access our complete career info list.

    Academic requirements

    We are not aware of any specific GRE, GMAT or GPA grading score requirements for this programme.

    English requirements

    We are not aware of any English requirements for this programme.

    Other requirements

    General requirements

    Entry requirements:

    • Online application form (application period March20  - April 20 2026)
    • Motivation letter (up to 1 page) that demonstrates the applicant’s motivation to participate, his/her expectations about the programme, how participation in the summer programme relates to his/her studies and interests, and how the applicant plans to use the gained experience and knowledge in the future.
    • Transcript of academic records
    • Copy of passport
    • Application fee of 25 EUR

    PS: Only complete applications including all annexes submitted by the deadline will be considered for selection.

    Student Insurance via Studyportals Partner

    Make sure to cover your health, travel, and stay while studying abroad. Even global coverages can miss important items like Additional medical costs, Repatriation, Liability etc. Make sure your student insurance covers your needs.

    Studyportals partnered with Aon to provide you with the best affordable student insurance, for a carefree experience away from home.

    Get your student insurance now

    Starting from €0.53/day, free cancellation any time.

    Remember, countries and universities may have specific insurance requirements. To learn more about how student insurance work at University of Tartu and/or in Estonia, please visit Student Insurance Portal.

    Tuition Fees

    Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.
    • International

      Non-residents
      700 EUR / full
      700 EUR / full
    • EU/EEA

      EU/EEA Nationals
      700 EUR / full
      700 EUR / full

    Living costs

    Tartu

    Estonia
    300 - 600 EUR / month

    The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

    Funding

    1. Estonian National Scholarships at  StudyinEstonia.ee. 

    You can read more about the scholarships on the homepage of StudyinEstonia.ee.

    2. ENLIGHT scholarship 

    More information and the application form are on the ENLIGHT scholarship page: https://ut.ee/en/content/enlight-scholarship 

    3. Full tuition fee scholarship. The University of Tartu offers one scholarship for the course "Acute and Chronic Kidney Disease: Contemporary Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures": https://ut.ee/en/content/ut-full-tuition-fee-coverage

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