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International Conference
The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe
About the event
We are pleased to announce our international conference “The Invisible Middle: Understanding Online Extremism in Middle-Aged Adults in Europe,” which will take place on 29 January 2026 at the NH Brussels EU Berlaymont, Bd Charlemagne 11/19, Brussels.
The conference will bring together policymakers, journalists, security experts, researchers, and digital platform representatives to discuss online extremism, its societal implications, and its specific impact on middle-aged users. The programme will explore cultural, technological, and psychological dimensions of online engagement in this demographic and provide space for exchange with other EU-funded initiatives tackling extremism, disinformation, and social cohesion. A further objective is to develop concrete policy insights and practical recommendations that can inform future interventions and institutional responses.
Panel I: Presentation of Project Findings will highlight key research insights on the digital behaviours of middle-aged adults, including how extremist narratives circulate through social media, messaging apps, and online communities. The findings also examine how misinformation, polarising content, and identity-based narratives affect this often-overlooked demographic, providing evidence to guide targeted interventions.
Panel II: Media and Cultural Perspectives on Online Extremism will explore how media narratives, visual storytelling, and cultural content can both reinforce and counter extremist ideologies, including a documentary screening.
Panel III: Common Challenges and Best Practices from Related Projects offers an opportunity to exchange lessons learned and promising approaches across EU-funded initiatives.
Panel IV: Policy Discussion – From Evidence to Action brings together policymakers, platform representatives, and practitioners to translate research insights into actionable strategies for countering online harms.
The conference aims to provide participants with actionable insights into the dynamics of online extremism among middle-aged adults and to explore effective strategies for prevention, resilience, and intervention. Attendees will gain a clearer understanding of the patterns of online engagement and susceptibility to misinformation in this demographic, exchange knowledge and best practices across sectors, and develop concrete recommendations to inform policy, platform governance, media literacy initiatives, and community-based interventions. By fostering dialogue between researchers, practitioners, policymakers, and platform representatives, the event seeks to strengthen collaboration and support evidence-based, practical approaches to countering online extremism and promoting digital resilience.
For inquiries about the conference, please contact: m.busra@inclusiveeuropa.eu.
Download the full conference programme here.
Panel I: Presentation of SMIDGE Findings
Nitika Bhalla (DMU)
Dr. Nitika Bhalla is Project Manager at De Montfort University’s Centre for Computing and Social Responsibility, where she manages and supports EU-funded projects with international partners. She holds a PhD and has expertise in project management and responsible research initiatives
Dr. Line Nybro Petersen (UCPH)
Dr. Line Nybro Petersen is Associate Professor in Media Studies at the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Nordic Studies and Linguistics. Her research spans media and cultural studies with a focus on social media, conspiracy theories, extremism, and platform studies, and she leads work on a Horizon Europe project examining extremism and misinformation online.
Prof Kalypso Iordanou (UCLAN Cyprus)
Professor Kalypso Iordanou is a Professor of Psychology at UCLan Cyprus and Director of the Thinking Lab. She specialises in argumentation, epistemic belief development, cognition and discourse, and leads research on cognition and digital society.
Dr. Vasiliki Christodoulou
(UCLAN Cyprus)
Dr. Vasiliki Christodoulou is an Assistant Professor in Psychology and Course Leader of the MSc Forensic Psychology programme at UCLan Cyprus. Her research and teaching focus on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, mindfulness-based interventions, and psychological wellbeing across the lifespan, and she has developed and evaluated preventive and therapeutic psychological programmes.
Fabrizio Boldrini (FVM)
Fabrizio Boldrini is the Director General of the Fondazione Hallgarten-Franchetti Centro Studi Villa Montesca. An expert in education and media education, he has authored books on emotional intelligence and critical thinking in school curricula and has extensive experience leading European-level educational initiatives and research projects.
Panel II: Media and Cultural Perspectives on Online Extremism
Professor Jason Lee (De Montfort University)
Professor Jason Lee is Professor of Film, Media and Culture at De Montfort University. He is also Head of Partnerships in the Leicester Media School and a British Academy Innovation Fellow, known for his interdisciplinary work on media, culture and social issues, and as the author/editor of numerous books.
Sian Hamlett
Sian Hamlett – Director & Founder, Hamlett Films
Sian Hamlett is the Founder and Managing Director of Hamlett Films, an award-winning UK production company specialising in educational and socially impactful films and interactive content. She has produced and directed over 500 films and her work has received international recognition for its quality and educational value, collaborating with clients such as BBC Bitesize and the Open University.
Mitchell Harris
Mitchell Harris is Senior Editor and Technologist at Hamlett Films. He specialises in post-production, motion design, and creative storytelling, contributing to award-winning educational and media projects across film and digital platforms.
Panel III: Common Challenges and Best Practices from Related Projects
Ludmila Malai
Ludmila Malai is an EU Project Manager at the Intercultural Dialogue Platform. She holds degrees in Economics, Politics, Diplomacy, International Law and Security Studies, and has extensive experience writing and coordinating EU projects on topics including countering violent extremism, radicalisation, women’s empowerment, youth engagement.
Panel IV: Policy Discussion – From Evidence to Action
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Dan Ilazi, KCSS
Dan Ilazi is Head of Research at the Kosovo Centre for Security Studies (KCSS). He leads research on security, foreign policy, and geopolitical developments in the Western Balkans.
Becky Slack
Becky Slack is a journalist and Director of Agenda. She specialises in investigative reporting and editorial leadership, focusing on policy, technology, and social impact.
Saman Nazari
Saman Nazari is Lead Researcher at Alliance4Europe. His work focuses on democracy, disinformation, and the impact of digital technologies on political processes.
Anna De Marchi
Anna De Marchi works at DG CONNECT, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Communications Networks, Content and Technology. Her work supports EU digital policy and technology governance initiatives.
Kai Zenner
Kai Zenner is Head of Office and Digital Policy Adviser to MEP Axel Voss in the European Parliament, where he works on EU digital legislation including AI, data protection, and platform regulation.