Tackling Misinformation and Disinformation in Public Health: BIP Sofia 2025

The Faculty of Public Health “Prof. Tcekomir Vodenitcharov, MD, DSc”, Medical University of Sofia is organising a Blended Intensive Programme, in June 2025, offering INGENIUM students and professionals the opportunity to address one of the most pressing challenges in public health – misinformation and disinformation.

Participants from universities across Europe will come together to unlearn, learn, share experiences, and develop critical skills to combat false information. Through collaborative efforts, they will enhance their understanding of the impact of misinformation on public health and contribute to fostering trust in health communication.

BIP Sofia 2025 will take place from June 2nd to June 6th, 2025, in Sofia, Bulgaria. The program will also feature two virtual preparatory meetings in May 2025, ensuring participants are well-equipped for the on-site sessions.

This year, the programme will bring together a vibrant and diverse group of students, faculty, and staff, creating a dynamic environment for interdisciplinary collaboration. Networking and cross-cultural exchange will strengthen the sense of community and empower participants to take on leadership roles in addressing public health challenges across Europe.

Programme Details:

  • On-Site Activities: A 5-day intensive session hosted at the Faculty of Public Health.
  • Virtual component: Two online preparatory meetings in May 2025 as per BIP guidelines.

Eligibility:

The programme is open to students, faculty and staff (a minimum of 20 students) from at least three Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), facilitated through an interinstitutional agreement.

Programme Focus:

The BIP emphasizes “Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning” to empower students in discerning and addressing the hurricane of non-factual information. The curriculum is designed to enhance participants’ capacity to critically analyse and respond to misinformation and disinformation in public health contexts.

Expected Learning Outcomes:

Participants will:

  1. Acquire a nuanced understanding of misinformation (unintentional falsehoods) and disinformation (intentional falsehoods) and their implications for public health.
  2. Develop skills in media literacy, including source evaluation, fact verification, and recognition of biased or false information.
  3. Design and implement evidence-based strategies to counter misinformation and foster public trust in health communication.
  4. Strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance networking skills within the public health domain.

Call for participation!

INGENIUM students interested in public health, media, and information technology are welcomed to join the programme either as participants or as speakers. Selected participants will engage in workshops, case study analyses, and group projects, guided by educators as well as practitioners from health, media, IT and global health sectors.

By participating in this BIP, students will develop essential skills such as media literacy, critical thinking, and communication strategy design. They will also explore various approaches to countering misinformation and build interdisciplinary networks that extend beyond the programme.

Registration is now open!

Don’t miss this opportunity to contribute in strengthening the integrity of public health and public health communication while shaping a more informed and resilient future for Europe.

Application Process:

Interested students are encouraged to apply promptly, as some activities offer only limited space and participation will be arranged by first-come, first- served basis.

Register here

For further details and application procedures, please contact Elisaveta Petrova-Geretto at e.geretto@foz.mu-sofia.bg