Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
Digitalisation, Disinformation, and Artificial Intelligence
Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
Digitalisation, Disinformation, and Artificial Intelligence
This course examines the intersection of digital media, artificial intelligence (AI), and dis/misinformation, arming students with a deep and cross-disciplinary understanding of the rapidly evolving challenges and opportunities in this research domain.
Drawing on cutting-edge research, including cross-disciplinary insights from psychology, political communication, computational social science, and AI governance, the course examines the dynamics of how AI is shaping the information environment, from the scope and scale of dis/misinformation and ‘deepfakes’ to the role played by social media platforms and AI providers; the psychological factors that influence why we become susceptible to them in the first place; and tools in policymakers and platforms’ toolkit to tackle these pressing issues.
Participants will engage with key topics such as the psychological underpinnings of misinformation susceptibility, the role of generative AI in creating and turbocharging it, and strategies to counter disinformation through multi-stakeholder interventions, including policy frameworks and technological solutions. Through hands-on learning, students will analyze real-world case studies, engage with the latest scholarship, and develop practical and evidence-based solutions at the nexus of policy and practice.
By the end of the course, participants will emerge with a deep understanding of how intellectually well-versed practitioners are equipped to tackle the challenges of disinformation and contribute to fostering a healthier, more informed information ecosystem.
Who should apply:
This course is accessible to students from any UG discipline, but will be particularly relevant to students in Data Science, Computer Science, Business & Management, Media Studies, Psychology, and International Relations.
For English requirement information, please see the Apply page.
Location: Lincoln College, University of Oxford
For Ages: 18+ (at time of attendance)
Duration: 2 weeks (13 nights and 14days)
Price: £4599
Date: Session one: 10th August to 23th August 2025
Subject Tutors
Tutor: Cassidy Bereskin
Cassidy Bereskin is a PhD researcher and Clarendon Scholar at the Oxford Internet Institute, focusing on content disclosure interventions for tackling synthetic visual disinformation, including deepfake content. She authored the “Parliamentary Handbook on Disinformation, AI and Synthetic Media” and has presented strategies to policymakers worldwide. She holds an MSc with Distinction in Social Science of the Internet from the Oxford Internet Institute and a BA in Political Science from McMaster University, where she graduated as valedictorian. She is also the Founder and Director of the Oxford Generative AI Summit.
Programme Features
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FAQ
How can I book my place on the programme?
To book your place on the Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme, please complete our online application form. Once we have received your application, you will be sent an email to confirm your booking, with details about how to pay the course fees and the date this payment is due.
If you have any questions about the application form, then please contact us and one of our advisors will be happy to help.
What are the English Language requirements?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme is a unique course. This is because it is run by Oxford University academics and is based on a truly stimulating academic programme. For students to be able to make the most of the course, they will be required to have an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.
If you have any questions or concerns about this English language requirement, please don’t hesitate to contact us and we will be able to advise you.
Can I organise my own accommodation?
Part of the Lincoln College experience is the opportunity to live, dine and study like an Oxford University student. This is why all students on the programme must stay onsite at Lincoln College.
Can I study more than one course?
There are 9 courses on offer for 2025 and students can choose one to study for the full two weeks.
If students are equally interested and qualified to take two different courses, you are welcome to join us for the whole month. You will choose one subject to study for the first two weeks of the programme and a different subject to study for the final two weeks of the programme.
For example, a student may decide to study history for session 1 of the programme and history of art for session 2.
Will I have to take exams?
There will be no official exams on this course. Students will be assessed based on essays, assignments and projects marked by the course tutor.
What kind of feedback will I receive?
Students will receive personalised feedback from their tutors both as verbal feedback during tutorial or seminar discussions and written feedback on any work they hand in. The nature of this feedback will depend on the course students are studying.
At the end of the programme, students will receive a certificate of attainment provided they have carried out the work to the best of their ability and actively participated in lessons and certifying the level they achieved.
Will I receive credit points?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme is equivalent to 10 hours of credits in both the US and ECTS system. Your current university may choose to accept these credits towards your current degree. To be sure, please ask your university to get in touch with us and our Programme Director will be able to speak to the appropriate person at your university.
Will I be awarded with a certificate?
Yes, all students will receive either a certificate of attainment or a certificate of attendance at a specially organised graduation ceremony. This certificate will prove that you have carried out work of a challenging academic nature and may even be used towards credit at your current university (see above question on credits).
Will my tutor be able to provide me with a reference?
Yes, your tutor will be able to provide you with an academic reference should you require this for any future applications. If this is something you think you may need, it would be a good idea to discuss with your tutor during the programme.
Is it hard to get into Oxford Summer Courses?
The Lincoln College Summer Academy Programme, part of Oxford University’s academic summer courses, is open to adults aged 18 and over, including international students. To ensure participants can fully engage with the course material, a minimum English language proficiency is required. Acceptable qualifications include:
IELTS: 6.5
TOEFL: 90
PTE (Pearson Test of English): 61
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 176
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176
LanguageCert International ESOL B2: High Pass
LanguageCert International ESOL C1: Pass
Duolingo English Test: 120
These requirements ensure that all participants can effectively engage with the academic content and discussions throughout the programme.
