Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum

The Student Creathon is back to Rewrite the Narrative of Truth in the Digital Age

In an era where information travels faster than verification, the CIVIS Student Creathon 2026 returns with a bold new mission: to confront the complexities of modern media. “Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media–An Interdisciplinary Student Innovation Forum” is not just a title—it is a challenge, an invitation, and a call to action.

Organised by the CIVIS Student Council within the framework of CIVIS Days 2026 in Bucharest (10–12 June 2026), this interdisciplinary Creathon brings together student teams from across the CIVIS Alliance to tackle one of today’s most urgent societal issues: misinformation. Through research, collaboration, and innovation, participants will design actionable solutions capable of reshaping how we understand, produce, and consume information.

Selected teams will present their proposals during CIVIS Days and engage in dynamic discussions, transforming ideas into impactful strategies that extend beyond academia and into real-world application.

Why This Creathon Matters

Media Literacy as a Civic Responsibility

At a time when misinformation shapes public discourse and democratic processes, empowering students to critically engage with media has never been more essential.

This Creathon creates a unique space where:

Interdisciplinary collaboration meets societal urgency
Academic insight transforms into practical solutions
Students become active agents of change in the digital ecosystem

Building on the success of the 2025 Creathon in Rome—focused on overtourism and inclusivity—this second edition shifts the lens toward media ecosystems, spotlighting the role of young Europeans in defending truth, transparency, and accountability.

Meet the Minds Behind the Initiative

The CIVIS Student Council Team

Driven by a shared vision of student-led innovation, this year’s Creathon is designed and delivered by a diverse team of CIVIS Student Council members. Together, they embody the spirit of CIVIS: collaborative, interdisciplinary, and driven by purpose!

Robin Mannhorst, University of Tübingen

I am studying Italian and Political Science in the Bachelor of Education at the University of Tübingen. I have a background in German-Italian relations and a focus on European projects, and this year I will finally take part in my first BIP in Greece.

Laura Thompson, University of Glasgow

Hi there! My name is Laura and I am currently undertaking an integrated masters degree (MSci) in Marine and Freshwater Biology at the University of Glasgow. I am a General Representative on the Glasgow University Students Representative Council (GUSRC) and it is through this organisation that I was elected onto the CIVIS Student Council. I believe international alliances like CIVIS are key to the growth of the higher education sector, and so I am excited to be able to take part in any way I can.

Anette Mai Pirk Birk, Stockholm University

My name is Anette Mai Pirk Birk and I am a Master's student in International and Comparative Education at Stockholm University. I am a member of the CIVIS Student Council. Creathon is important because it lets us, the students, work together and share new ideas. I want to help make the future of education better for everyone. I am excited to meet new people, share our values, and have a great time together.

Bianca Munteanu, University of Bucharest

Bianca here! I am currently a third-year PhD candidate in Cultural Studies at the Doctoral School of the Faculty of Letters, University of Bucharest. With a strong interest in the anthropology of emotions and the anthropology of the senses, exploring different cultures has always been essential to my academic journey. CIVIS has played a significant role in making this possible, offering me not only the chance to engage with diverse perspectives but also many valuable opportunities.

George Deian Primejdie Ianculovici, University of Bucharest

My name is Primejdie Ianculovici George Deian, a third-year Political Science student at the University of Bucharest. I am deeply interested in diplomacy and international relations, and I am driven by a passion for sports and exploring new places, which constantly broaden my perspective on the world.

Nur El-Madkouri Soto, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Hi! I’m Nur, a third-year Early Childhood Education student interested in children’s rights. I’m a student representative and have been involved in international projects for the past three years. I recently joined CIVIS and I’m excited to support other students.

Pinelopi Michaela Natsi, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

My name is Pinelopi Michaela Natsi and I am a philosophy student at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. I was part of the first Creathon organising team, and this year I’m supporting the team as project lead. We aim to give CIVIS students a space to collaborate, tackle challenges in modern media, and develop innovative solutions, while promoting engagement, inclusivity, and connections across the Alliance.

Who Can Join?

Innovate. Collaborate. Lead Change.

This Creathon is open to all active CIVIS students ready to engage with the challenges of modern media.

Participants will:

Work in teams of 2–8 students from the same university
Develop a maximum 5-page academic proposal
Present solutions addressing real-world media challenges

Each university will be represented by one selected team, with:

Up to 2 members attending onsite in Bucharest
Remaining members joining online via Zoom

Whether your background is in social sciences, technology, law, humanities, or beyond—your perspective matters.

Apply to be part of the creathon!

See the full call

How to Participate

Form your team (2–8 students from the same CIVIS university)
Submit a proposal (max. 5 pages) presenting a clear and impactful solution
Deadline: 19 April 2026
Provide proof of student status
Selected teams will present during CIVIS Days (poster encouraged)

Practical Information

Dates: 10–12 June 2026
Location: Bucharest (CIVIS Days 2026)
Format: Hybrid (onsite & online participation)
Language: English

Further logistical details will be announced following team selection.

What You Gain

Beyond the Competition

Participants will:

Gain hands-on experience addressing real media challenges
Develop critical thinking, research, and teamwork skills
Engage in cross-border collaboration
Expand their professional and academic networks
Receive a certificate of participation
Contribute to solutions with tangible societal impact

The real reward lies not only in presenting—but in co-creating the future of media literacy and responsibility.

Be Part of Something Bigger

The Creathon is embedded within CIVIS Days 2026 in Bucharest, one of the Alliance’s flagship gatherings. It builds on the legacy of the 2025 Rome edition, continuing a growing tradition of student-led, impact-driven initiatives that connect education with societal needs.

From overtourism to misinformation, from local challenges to global debates—the CIVIS Creathon continues to prove one thing: When students lead, ideas move. When ideas move, change begins.

Stay Connected

Follow the journey and become part of the CIVIS student community: