Fort Lewis College's Own Professor Wins Prestigious Fulbright to Battle Misinformation in Italy

Fort Lewis College Philosophy Professor Justin McBrayer has received his second Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award. This award recognizes his work in philosophy, especially his research on misinformation and fake news. McBrayer, author of 'Beyond Fake News, Finding the Truth in a World of Misinformation,' will further explore fake news in liberal democracies. His research will aim to find ways these societies can reduce fake news and increase the spread of accurate information.

During his stay in Italy, McBrayer will work at the University of Genoa. He will collaborate with experts from the University of Pavia and Roma 3 University as part of a research project funded by the Italian Ministry of University and Research. The project, 'Distrust in Science Reframed: Understanding and Countering Anti-scientific Behavior,' matches McBrayer's interests in epistemology, ethics, and political theory. It seeks to develop strategies to counter fake news.

In Italy, McBrayer will also teach. He will guide graduate students from the three universities, helping them understand the effects of misinformation in liberal societies. His teaching will include a doctoral class, a master's course in Moral Epistemology co-taught with Michel Croce, PhD, and a seminar for doctoral candidates. This teaching role will support his research and offer insights to students working on related dissertations.

McBrayer's Fulbright award is significant not just for him but for broader efforts to tackle fake news, which poses a threat to democracy and informed citizenship. His work promotes international cooperation and aims to help liberal democracies balance freedom of expression with the need for reliable information.

This article has been enhanced with AI assistance. Agree to access AI-generated content by clicking here, or opt for content with less AI influence here.