Center for Information, Democracy & Citizenship

At the CIDC, our goal is to forge communities that can stand resilient in the face of disinformation and cognitive threats. Through research, policy advocacy, and educational programs, we aim to enhance media literacy and psychological resilience, equipping individuals and societies with the tools needed to effectively prevent and counter foreign information and malign influence operations.

Building a strong foundation for democratic citizenship is essential to fostering active and informed participation in civic life. But it all starts with building a robust vision of democracy: its promise and possibilities. The CIDC leverages immersive technologies and online platforms to envision democracy’s promise, ensuring scalable and impactful civic education and community engagement.

Factual media is a critical component of democracy and informed citizenship. By leveraging innovative technologies, we seek to empower individuals and media organizations regionally and globally with the skills and tools needed to critically evaluate information and news content and contribute to a more informed public discourse. The CIDC’s Factual media advocacy initiatives address the critical need for reliable information.

We are committed to transdisciplinary approaches to unravel and address the complex challenges threatening democracy today. By promoting collaboration across academic disciplines, policymakers, and practitioners, and offering practical learning experiences to students, the CIDC seeks to cultivate a generation of leaders who are not only civically engaged and ethically grounded but also adept at navigating the digital landscape with integrity and foresight.

Faculty and students are the bedrock of AUBG. The CIDC will provide the tools and means to support, expand, and scale up faculty and student-led initiatives that enhance the academic environment and foster innovation.