Getting a Grip on Disinformation: From Distrust to Trust Within Learning Communities

The project "De Pit" focuses on dismantling disinformation by empowering citizens to recognize and investigate false information. Through learning communities, citizens can jointly develop methods to identify and address disinformation.

What is the motivation for the project?

The project addresses the growing concern about the negative effects of disinformation in today's society. With increasing access to information through digital channels, there is a greater chance of being confronted with disinformation and unintentionally spreading false information. The project "De Pit" was set up to investigate how citizens, through local learning communities, can be equipped to recognize and address disinformation through self-developed rules and roles.

Project team

Bibliotheek Drachten, Firda, Fers. Funding via SIDN fonds

The project team consists of Dr. Deike Schulz, Dr. Joyce Kerstens, and Dustin Sajoe from NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences. Additionally, regional experts from Fers and coordinators and teachers from the library in Drachten, Firda Drachten, and NHL Stenden were involved. 

Project approach

Funded by the Dutch SIDN fonds and supported by local experts in digital citizenship from the public organization ‘Fers’ the experimental project "De Pit" ran from September 2022 to September 2023, involving citizens from diverse backgrounds and age groups.

The project was guided by Elinor Ostrom’s Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework, which helped understand how these communities functioned and interacted.

The research was conducted through a multiple case study approach, observing three learning communities: a local library in Drachten, Firda School for Vocational Education, and NHL Stenden University. Data was collected through various means, including surveys, interviews, and focus group sessions. The project emphasized autonomy, allowing each community to develop its own solutions to disinformation.

1. De Pit at the Local Library in Drachten: This community focused on local issues such as communication around neighborhood issues and social cohesion. Participants conducted field research to verify information and address community issues. Their approach was largely analog, involving street interviews and neighborhood surveys.
2. De Pit at NHL Stenden University: This group consisted of students who used OSINT tools to investigate disinformation related to the Russian-Ukrainian war. They developed their own approach and conducted online research under the guidance of experts.

De Pit at Firda Drachten: Students from Firda focused on social issues such as (prejudices about) poverty and discrimination at school. They conducted interviews and created a podcast to raise awareness about these topics. The project was integrated into their regular curriculum.

Main results

The project revealed several important insights:

• Autonomy and Trust: Participants are given the space to contribute their own ideas and choose research methods that match their personal knowledge and interests. This supports trust and engagement within the learning community.
• Tailored Solutions: There is no standard solution for creating a successful learning community. Different communities developed customized solutions based on their specific issues and needs.
• Critical Thinking: Participants learned to critically analyze information and consider multiple perspectives, aligning them with others.
• Community Building: Building a sense of community during all fases of the project is essential for its success.

Based on the findings, Dr. Deike Schulz has developed a Community Learning Roadmap to support the development and implementation of new projects. 

Download the Community Learning Roadmap here. 

An in-depth report of the project is described in the book chapter: 

Schulz, D., Kerstens, J., & Sajoe, D. (2025). Getting a Grip on Disinformation: From Distrust to Trust Within Learning Communities. In: Securing Democracies: Defending Against Cyber Attacks and Disinformation in the Digital Age. In. S.J Shackelford, F. Douzet and C. Ankersen (Eds.). Cambridge University Press. 

With the publisher's consent, it is possible to download a pre-publication of the book chapter here.