Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg – Noticias – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Ir al contenido](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-08-Bbt_UM7-.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-11-Bta7Grvo.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-01-CEiLnzkH.svg) [ ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg)](https://civis.eu/es) - [ Descubrir ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance) - [ ¿Qué es CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Nuestro trabajo ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Misión, Visión & Valores ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Gobernanza & Gestión ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Quién es quién ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [ Resources ](https://civis.eu/es/resources) - [ Aprender ](https://civis.eu/es/learn) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Aprendizaje flexible ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programas de Máster ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Estudiar fuera ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [ TRACEE ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/tracee) [ CIVIS Museum University Forum ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Enseñar ](https://civis.eu/es/teach) - [ Convocatorias de proyectos ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovación pedagógica ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Recursos para educadores ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/resources-for-educators) [ CIVIS Invited to Begin Grant Agreement Preparations for New Erasmus+ Funding Phase ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/civis-invited-to-begin-grant-agreement-preparations-for-new-erasmus-funding-phase) [ Siete años de CIVIS: de un proyecto ambicioso a una próspera comunidad académica ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/seven-years-of-civis-from-an-ambitious-project-to-a-thriving-academic-community) - [ Investigar ](https://civis.eu/es/research) - [ Colaboración científica ](https://civis.eu/es/research/research-collaboration) - [ Carreras, redes y movilidad ](https://civis.eu/es/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Recursos para la investigación ](https://civis.eu/es/research/resources-for-researchers) [ CIVIS calls for strengthening Africa-Europe academic mobility through a visa policy for science partnerships ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/civis-calls-for-strengthening-africa-europe-academic-mobility-through-a-visa-policy-for-science-partnerships) [ CIVIS3i: Five Years Advancing Research Excellence Across CIVIS Alliance ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/civis3i-five-years-advancing-research-excellence-across-civis-alliance) - [ Conectar ](https://civis.eu/es/connect) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/civis-days) - [ Sociedad Civil ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contáctenos ](https://civis.eu/es/contact) - [ Zona de prensa & Branding ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Embajadores estudiantiles de CIVIS conquistan el escenario en el proyecto piloto de la redacción ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/civis-student-ambassadors-take-the-lead-inside-the-newsroom-pilot-project) [ Cómo crear una alianza eficaz: cinco lecciones de las unidades CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/building-an-alliance-that-works-five-lessons-from-the-civis-units) [ Historias ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom) es - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/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) - [ 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 - [Descubrir](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ ¿Qué es CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Nuestro trabajo ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Misión, Visión & Valores ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Gobernanza & Gestión ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Quién es quién ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Aprender](https://civis.eu/es/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Blended Intensive Programmes ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Aprendizaje flexible ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programas de Máster ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Estudiar fuera ](https://civis.eu/es/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Enseñar](https://civis.eu/es/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Convocatorias de proyectos ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/civis-calls) - [ Innovación pedagógica ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Recursos para educadores ](https://civis.eu/es/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Investigar](https://civis.eu/es/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Colaboración científica ](https://civis.eu/es/research/research-collaboration) - [ Carreras, redes y movilidad ](https://civis.eu/es/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Recursos para la investigación ](https://civis.eu/es/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Conectar](https://civis.eu/es/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/newsletters) - [ CIVIS Days ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/civis-days) - [ Sociedad Civil ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contáctenos ](https://civis.eu/es/contact) - [ Zona de prensa & Branding ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Historias ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom) es - [ en ](https://civis.eu/en/the-civis-newsroom/populism-and-conspiracy-a-european-study-by-the-university-of-salzburg) - [ de ](https://civis.eu/de/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) - [ 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/es/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 ======================================================================== 6 de noviembre de 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/greencarb7-800x600.jpg?token=712f0b091be488273795e6069fdecb4c)Tracing carbon in Greenland’s melting fjords CIVIS Highlights 28 de septiembre de 2026 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/tracing-carbon-in-greenland-s-melting-fjords) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/tr2-800x600.jpg?token=7ef6de17ebf4f78056295caacae897a5)TRACEE Study programmes 17 de septiembre de 2026 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/tracee) - [ ![](https://civis.eu/storage/files/website-horizontal-photos-800x600.jpg?token=d97cb41058d3762a3bf0b56c2f5ddbd2)Ancient genomes reveal the unique history of the extinct cave lion CIVIS Highlights 15 de junio de 2026 ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/ancient-genomes-reveal-the-unique-history-of-the-extinct-cave-lion) [ Descubra todas nuestras historias ](https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom) [ 300,000-year-old Genomes: History of the Schöningen Horses Deciphered ](%20https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/300-000-year-old-genomes-history-of-the-schoningen-horses-deciphered%20) [ Leadership and algorithms or how digital tools affect the role of managers ](%20https://civis.eu/es/the-civis-newsroom/leadership-and-algorithms-or-how-digital-tools-affect-the-role-of-managers%20) ![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. ### Gente - [ Estudiantes ](https://civis.eu/es/i-am-a-student) - [ Académicos e investigadores ](https://civis.eu/es/soy-academico-a-investigador-a) - [ Administradores ](https://civis.eu/es/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Sociedad Civil ](https://civis.eu/es/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Zona de prensa & Branding ](https://civis.eu/es/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Useful links - [ Recursos ](https://civis.eu/es/resources) - [ Ágora CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/es/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ Iniciativa de Universidades europeas ](https://civis.eu/es/european-universities-initiative) - [ Eventos pasados ](https://civis.eu/es/past-events) - [ Contacto ](https://civis.eu/es/contact) [ Newsletters ](https://civis.eu/es/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/es/politica-de-cookies) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/es/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search