Facts vs Fake News: Unmasking Health Misinformation
Wednesday 04 November 2026 18:00 - Friday 23 October 2026 20:00
Location: Interactive session at Aberdeen Science Centre, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen, AB24 5TU
Join RGU experts for an engaging, interactive session exploring how health misinformation spreads, why it matters and how we can spot it, challenge it and separate fact from fiction.
Not everything you read online is true. But would you know the difference?
We live in an age of information overload, where health and medical information is just a click away. But with so much content competing for our attention, it can be difficult to distinguish reliable evidence from misleading claims.
In an attention economy where every click counts, sensational headlines and clickbait are everywhere. So, how can we tell whether the information we see online is trustworthy, or whether it has been shaped to serve a particular agenda?
Join Dr Sarah Sivers and Professor Simon Burnett from Robert Gordon University’s School of Law and Social Sciences for an interactive two-hour session exploring health misinformation, why it spreads and how it influences society.
Drawing on research into dark knowledge and its impact on society, the session will use thought-provoking activities, discussion and debate to explore four key questions:
- What is misinformation?
- How does misinformation spread?
- What impact does misinformation have?
- How can we recognise and challenge misinformation?
You’ll have the opportunity to examine why misleading health and medical claims can be so persuasive, how they shape our understanding of science, and how we can become more critical and confident consumers of online information.
The session will conclude with a Q&A, giving you the chance to ask questions and share your thoughts with the speakers.
Who can attend?
This event is suitable for ages 16 and over.
Cost to attend
£3 per person. Refreshments will be provided.
Registration
Tickets are available until one hour before the event starts, but may sell out sooner, so book early to avoid missing out.