About Julia Smirnova
Julia Smirnova is a senior researcher at CeMAS studying digital authoritarianism and online disinformation. She focuses in particular on how authoritarian state actors leverage digital technologies to manipulate public opinion. From 2021 till 2024, she worked at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue in London, where she tracked and analysed Russian influence operations and studied the spread of dis/misinformation, hate speech and conspiracy narratives online. Previously, Julia worked as a journalist writing for publications such as Der Spiegel, Die Zeit and Die Welt. From 2012 till 2017, she reported from Russia and Ukraine as Die Welt’s correspondent. She holds an MA in Conflict, Security and Development from King’s College London.
Selected publications
Pro-Kremlin campaigns intensify in Germany ahead of European Elections, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2024
Antisemitic riots in Russia: How misinformation spread online fuelled violence, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2023
Pro-Kremlin Network Impersonates Legitimate Websites and Floods Social Media with Lies, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2022
A false picture for many audiences: How Russian-language pro-Kremlin Telegram channels spread propaganda and disinformation about refugees from Ukraine, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2022
Deutsche Wahrheit: a pro-Kremlin effort to spread disinformation about Ukrainian refugees, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2022
With Anneli Ahonen, Nora Mathelemuse, Helena Schwertheim, Hannah Winter: Bundestagswahl 2021: Digitale Bedrohungen und ihre Folgen [German Federal Election 2021: Digital Threats and Their Implications], Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2022
With Hannah Winter: Ein Virus des Misstrauens: Der russische Staatssender RT DE und die deutsche Corona-Leugner-Szene [A Virus of Mistrust: The State Russian Media Outlet RT DE and Covid-19 Sceptics in Germany], Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2021
With Cooper Gatewood and Shaun Ring: Using a German-language classifier to detect antisemitism on YouTube, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2021
With Hannah Winter, Nora Mathelemuse, Mauritius Dorn und Helena Schwertheim: Digitale Gewalt und Desinformation gegen Spitzenkandidat:innen vor der Bundestagswahl 2021 [Digital Violence and Disinformation Against Lead Candidates Ahead of the German Federal Election 2021], Institute for Strategic Dialogue, 2021
Selected presentations and talks
July 7, 2024: Peace and democracy in uncertain times. 25th Passau Tetralogue. Panel discussion with Michael Mertes, Krzysztof Ruchniewicz, Julia Smirnova and Manfred Weber, moderated by Heinrich Oberreuter.
May 29, 2024: Is the EU losing the fight against disinformation? Media talk live at re: publica 24, moderated by Marspet Movsisyan.
January 18, 2024: Solidarity, Criticism, Propaganda: How does Eastern Europe view the Middle East conflict? Panel discussion organised by the German Federal Agency for Civic Education with Olga Tokariuk, Adnan Ćerimagić, Jakub Bodziony and Julia Smirnova, moderated by Thomas Franke.
May 24, 2023: Mercator Talk: (Dis-)Information as weapon in the war against Ukraine - and how to fight back. Discussion with Eliott Higgins and Julia Smirnova, moderated by Louis Klamroth.
