Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [null](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-02-Dh7f4uYd.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-06-H_YyMKlQ.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-03-DvaxLIQk.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/de) - [ Entdecken ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance) - [ Was ist CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Unsere Arbeit ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision und Werte ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Leitung und Verwaltung ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Wer sind wir ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Zivilgesellschaft und bürgerschaftliches Engagement ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Lernen ](https://civis.eu/de/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexibles Lernen ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Masterstudiengänge ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Auslandsstudium ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026) [CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Lehren ](https://civis.eu/de/teach) - [ Projektausschreibungen ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/civis-calls) - [ Gestalten Sie Ihr Lehren innovativ ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Ressourcen für Lehrkräfte ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/resources-for-educators) [Neuer Bericht zu CIVIS BIPs: starke Wirkung und hohe Zufriedenheit ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [Wenn Kunst mehr sagt als Schlagzeilen: Teilnehmende des CIVIS Open Lab entdecken die Bedeutung von Heimat neu ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home) - [ Forschung ](https://civis.eu/de/research) - [ Forschungszusammenarbeit ](https://civis.eu/de/research/research-collaboration) - [ Karrieren, Netzwerke und Mobilität ](https://civis.eu/de/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Ressourcen für Forscher ](https://civis.eu/de/research/resources-for-researchers) [Ich arbeite in Forschung und Lehre ](https://civis.eu/de/i-am-an-academic-researcher) [Gemeinsame Herausforderungen angehen und Lösungen für Afrika und Europa in Zusammenarbeit entwickeln ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Verknüpfen ](https://civis.eu/de/connect) - [ Newsletter ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS-Tage ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/civis-days) - [ Zivilgesellschaft ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Kontaktieren Sie uns ](https://civis.eu/de/contact) - [ Presseraum & Branding ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [Wer sind wir ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest) [ Geschichten ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) de - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) Menu - [Entdecken](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ Was ist CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Unsere Arbeit ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Mission, Vision und Werte ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Leitung und Verwaltung ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Wer sind wir ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Lernen](https://civis.eu/de/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Flexibles Lernen ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Masterstudiengänge ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Auslandsstudium ](https://civis.eu/de/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Lehren](https://civis.eu/de/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Projektausschreibungen ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/civis-calls) - [ Gestalten Sie Ihr Lehren innovativ ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Ressourcen für Lehrkräfte ](https://civis.eu/de/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Forschung](https://civis.eu/de/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Forschungszusammenarbeit ](https://civis.eu/de/research/research-collaboration) - [ Karrieren, Netzwerke und Mobilität ](https://civis.eu/de/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Ressourcen für Forscher ](https://civis.eu/de/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Verknüpfen](https://civis.eu/de/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletter ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS-Tage ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/civis-days) - [ Zivilgesellschaft ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Kontaktieren Sie uns ](https://civis.eu/de/contact) - [ Presseraum & Branding ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Geschichten ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) de - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ fr ](https://civis.eu/fr/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ el ](https://civis.eu/el/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ it ](https://civis.eu/it/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ es ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ sv ](https://civis.eu/sv/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ ro ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) 1. [The CIVIS Newsroom ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) 2. Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg ========================================================================== CIVIS Highlights 6\. November 2025 Which factors increase susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs related to COVID-19, science, immigration, and climate change? A research project, led by Professor Reinhard Heinisch at the University of Salzburg, explores the interaction between populism and conspiracy theories. ![](/storage/files/november-2025.jpg)Photo © thanarak– stock.adobe.com The study, funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF), addresses the growing radicalisation of political and public discourse, particularly in relation to science and expertise – most notably within the health sector. It aims to understand how populist figures strategically employ conspiracy narratives, the forms these narratives take, and their impact on society. Four countries under the spotlight ---------------------------------- The focus lies on four countries – Switzerland, Austria, Italy, and France – where right-wing populist parties are especially prominent. In this joint endeavour, the University of Lausanne systematically analysed populist and conspiratorial rhetoric in speeches and texts, while the University of Salzburg examined public attitudes. Through experimental surveys, researchers investigated which factors increase susceptibility to conspiracy beliefs related to COVID-19, science, immigration, and climate change. **A key challenge is distinguishing conspiracy beliefs from other radical or anti-establishment positions.** The project also seeks to foreground political factors in a field traditionally dominated by psychological and media-based explanations, while critically assessing the relevance of theories developed in Anglo-American contexts. This research provides valuable insights into the relationship between populism, conspiratorial thinking, and health communication – laying the groundwork for strategies to counter the effects of medical conspiracy theories and contributing meaningfully to science, policy, and public understanding. **Read more in the** [**full story, in German**](http://www.plus.ac.at/news/populismus-und-verschwoerung)**.** ### Latest Highlights: [*Leadership and algorithms or how digital tools affect the role of managers*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/leadership-and-algorithms-how-digital-tools-affect-the-role-of-managers) [*The University of Glasgow improves its position within world top 100 in Times Higher Education World University Rankings*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/the-university-of-glasgow-improves-its-position-within-world-top-100-in-times-higher-education-world-university-rankings) [*90 Years of Sapienza Main Campus: a celebration of renewal and solidarity*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/90-years-of-sapienza-main-campus-a-celebration-of-renewal-and-solidarity) [*UNIL empowers master’s students to co-create research with partners in the field abroad*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/unil-empowers-master-s-students-to-co-create-research-with-partners-in-the-field-abroad) [*Glacier Kebnekaise's southern peak continues to melt*](https://civis.eu/en/get-informed/news/glacier-kebnekaise-s-southern-peak-continues-to-melt) Related news ------------ - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/dogs-su-800x600.jpg?token=d436788be1d8bedcdebade845bd52ff0)World’s oldest genetic evidence for domestic dogs identified CIVIS Highlights 6. April 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/world-s-oldest-genetic-evidence-for-domestic-dogs-identified) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/hannahpelikan-2024-liu-7637-800x600.jpg?token=e69d69aad40de681ca5eedde6851d655)Timing challenge for self-driving cars CIVIS Highlights 9. März 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/timing-challenge-for-self-driving-cars) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/dictionaries-800x600.jpg?token=028d7ffc1ba206cdd38fa50e28ac0083)The 18th‑century dictionary craze vs today’s AI anxiety CIVIS Highlights 11. Februar 2026 ](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/the-18th-century-dictionary-craze-vs-today-s-ai-anxiety) [Entdecken Sie alle unsere Geschichten](https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom) [ 300,000-year-old Genomes: History of the Schöningen Horses Deciphered ](< https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/300-000-year-old-genomes-history-of-the-schoningen-horses-deciphered >) [ Leadership and algorithms or how digital tools affect the role of managers ](< https://civis.eu/de/the-civis-newsroom/leadership-and-algorithms-or-how-digital-tools-affect-the-role-of-managers >) ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither can be held responsible for them. ### Personen - [ Studierende ](https://civis.eu/de/i-am-a-student) - [ Akademiker und Forscher ](https://civis.eu/de/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Administratoren ](https://civis.eu/de/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Zivilgesellschaft ](https://civis.eu/de/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Presseraum & Branding ](https://civis.eu/de/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Nützliche Links - [ Ressourcen ](https://civis.eu/de/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/de/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ Europäische Hochschulinitiative ](https://civis.eu/de/european-universities-initiative) - [ Vergangene Veranstaltungen ](https://civis.eu/de/past-events) - [ Kontakt ](https://civis.eu/de/contact) [Newsletters](https://civis.eu/de/connect/newsletters) ### Social networks - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/instagram.svg) Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/civis.eu/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/linkedin.svg) LinkedIn ](https://www.linkedin.com/company/civis-eu) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/facebook.svg) Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/CIVISEuropeanUniversity/) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/youtube.svg) YouTube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdCm0FfreX81BuNH-znlRGQ) © 2026 – CIVIS – All rights reserved - [ Cookie Policy ](https://civis.eu/de/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/de/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search