Dismantling Conspiracy Theories: Metaliteracy and other Strategies for an Information-Disordered World

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This book will explore the issue of information disorder in our society, explore how conspiracy theories are shaping citizen engagement with information and reality, and weave throughout how metaliteracy and information literacy can be utilized to produce a more democratic, civil discourse. It provides a desperately needed look at the problems of our information disordered society and the rise of superconspiracies like QAnon, and how information professionals can help shape societal engagement with information.

Reviews

This book is thought-provoking and detailed. It is an invaluable resource for educators and librarians, who are a vital part of creating a more informed and discerning public. * Library Journal *
Katie Greer and Stephanie Beene highlight a key vector in the battle against disinformation--librarians! In this comprehensive study of the rise of disinformation in social media and beyond, they succeed in defining the history and the challenge of disinformation. In a social media environment ruled by algorithms that promote outrage, the authors identify ways in which librarians (and others) can lead the fight against an onslaught of misinformation and disinformation. With insightful, action-oriented books like this, perhaps we can begin to diminish the powerful media giants whose business model includes the destruction of civil discourse for profit. -- Andrew V. Edwards, author of Army of Liars

Author Bio

Katie Greer is associate professor at Oakland University in Rochester, MI. She has a MA in Art History from the University of Notre Dame, a MLIS from Drexel University and is currently pursuing a PhD in Educational Leadership from Oakland University. Her published research includes undergraduate information behaviors and best practices for online pedagogy and information literacy. She is currently studying the problems of conspiracy ideation and how that is affecting information professionals, and how librarians and educators can utilize pedagogical and affective strategies to help engender metaliterate and information literate learners.
Stephanie Beene is associate professor and Art, Architecture, and Planning Librarian at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico. In this capacity, she supports the teaching, learning, and research of students and faculty within the Art Department in the College of Fine Arts and the School of Architecture and Planning. Stephanie received an MSIS from the University of Texas at Austin, an MA in Art History from the University of California, Riverside, and a BA in Art and Art History from Colorado State University. She has worked as an educator, librarian, and visual resources curator. Her research interests include visual and information literacy frameworks as they relate to trust, lifelong learning and the politics of identity.