Populism and Conspiracy - a European Study by the University of Salzburg – News – CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance [Mergeți direct la conținut](#main) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-12-DCoFnra7.svg) ![](https://civis.eu/build/assets/circle-09-B3BMjMVU.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/ro) - [ Descoperiți ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance) - [ Ce este CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Activitatea noastră ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Misiune, Viziune & Valori ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Guvernanță și Management ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Cine este cine? ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) [Laboratoare deschise & Implicare civică ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Învățare ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn) - [ Programe Intensive Mixte (BIPs) ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Învățare flexibilă ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programe de Masterat ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Studiu în străinătate ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) [Discover the projects led by our students in 2025-2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/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/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/CIVIS-Museum-University-Forum) - [ Predare ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach) - [ Oportunități de predare ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/civis-calls) - [ Inovați-vă predarea ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resurse pentru cadrele universitare ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/resources-for-educators) [BIP-urile CIVIS: impact puternic și nivel ridicat de satisfacție, relevă un nou raport ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/civis-bips-strong-impact-and-high-satisfaction-new-report-finds) [Când vocea artei este mai puternică decât titlurile presei: participanții unui CIVIS Open Lab redefinesc „acasă” ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/when-art-speaks-louder-than-headlines-civis-open-lab-reclaims-the-meaning-of-home) - [ Cercetare ](https://civis.eu/ro/research) - [ Colaborări pentru cercetare ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/research-collaboration) - [ Cariere, Relații, Mobilități ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resurse pentru cercetători(-oare) ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/resources-for-researchers) [Sunt cadru universitar/ cercetător(-oare) ](https://civis.eu/ro/i-am-an-academic-researcher) [Provocări comune, soluții comune pentru Africa și Europa ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/facing-common-challenges-shaping-joint-solutions-for-africa-and-europe) - [ Conectați-vă ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect) - [ Buletine informative ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/newsletters) - [ Zilele CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/civis-days) - [ Societate civilă ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contactați-ne ](https://civis.eu/ro/contact) - [ Zona de presă și branding ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [Cine este cine? ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) [Fake It Till You News It: Challenges and Solutions in Modern Media Student Innovation Forum ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/student-led-projects/discover-the-projects-led-by-our-students-in-2025-2026/civis-creathon-contest) [ Relatări ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom) ro - [ 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) - [ 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) Menu - [Descoperiți](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-29) - [ Ce este CIVIS? ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/what-is-civis) - [ Activitatea noastră ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work) - [ Misiune, Viziune & Valori ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-institutional-journey) - [ Guvernanță și Management ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/governance-andamp-management) - [ Cine este cine? ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/who-is-who) - [ CIVIS Association ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/civis-association) - [Învățare](https://civis.eu/ro/learn) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-30) - [ Programe Intensive Mixte (BIPs) ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/blended-intensive-programmes) - [ Învățare flexibilă ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/build-your-learning-path-with-our-modular-offer) - [ Programe de Masterat ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/find-your-master-s-programme) - [ Staff weeks & Job Shadowing ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/keep-on-learning-with-staff-weeks-andamp-job-shadowing) - [ Studiu în străinătate ](https://civis.eu/ro/learn/study-abroad-and-connect-with-civis-universities) - [Predare](https://civis.eu/ro/teach) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-31) - [ Oportunități de predare ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/civis-calls) - [ Inovați-vă predarea ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/innovate-your-teaching) - [ Resurse pentru cadrele universitare ](https://civis.eu/ro/teach/resources-for-educators) - [Cercetare](https://civis.eu/ro/research) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-32) - [ Colaborări pentru cercetare ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/research-collaboration) - [ Cariere, Relații, Mobilități ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/research-careers-networks-and-projects) - [ Resurse pentru cercetători(-oare) ](https://civis.eu/ro/research/resources-for-researchers) - [Conectați-vă](https://civis.eu/ro/connect) [ Toggle submenu ](#primary-nav-sm-collapse-33) - [ Buletine informative ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/newsletters) - [ Zilele CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/civis-days) - [ Societate civilă ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Contactați-ne ](https://civis.eu/ro/contact) - [ Zona de presă și branding ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) [ Relatări ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom) ro - [ 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) - [ 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) 1. [Redacția CIVIS ](https://civis.eu/ro/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 noiembrie 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 aprilie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/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 martie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/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 februarie 2026 ](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom/the-18th-century-dictionary-craze-vs-today-s-ai-anxiety) [Descoperiți toate articolele noastre](https://civis.eu/ro/the-civis-newsroom) [ 300,000-year-old Genomes: History of the Schöningen Horses Deciphered ](< https://civis.eu/ro/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/ro/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. ### Persoane - [ Studenți ](https://civis.eu/ro/i-am-a-student) - [ Cadre universitare și cercetători ](https://civis.eu/ro/i-am-an-academic-researcher) - [ Personal administrativ ](https://civis.eu/ro/i-am-an-administrator) - [ Societate civilă ](https://civis.eu/ro/discover-civis-alliance/our-work/open-labs-civic-engagement) - [ Secțiune pentru presă și branding ](https://civis.eu/ro/connect/press-corner-branding-toolkit) ### Link-uri utile - [ Resurse ](https://civis.eu/ro/resources) - [ CIVIS Agora ](https://civis.eu/ro/civis-agora-the-operational-hub-of-the-civis-digital-campus) - [ European Universities initiative ](https://civis.eu/ro/european-universities-initiative) - [ Evenimente anterioare ](https://civis.eu/ro/past-events) - [ Contact ](https://civis.eu/ro/contact) [Buletine informative](https://civis.eu/ro/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/ro/cookie-policy) - [ Privacy policy ](https://civis.eu/ro/privacy-policy) Website by [Typi Design](https://typi.be) • Design by [Atelier Milky](https://ateliermilky.com) [ ](#top) Search