PARADE Research Project

Academic Parade and Countering Disinformation

Group : Dynamic Systems and Optimization

Labelling: none

Duration:  17 months (from 05/01/2026 to 09/30/2027)

Funding: Call for Projects "Science Avec et Pour la Société" SAPS UA 2026

Staff involved from LARIS: Alain Godon, Rémy Guyonneau, Sébastien Lagrange

Project partners: Laurent Bordet (Vice-Président Vie des campus UA), Nathalie Clot (BUA),  Clémence Guillemont (Déléguée de la Fondation de l'UA), Terre des Sciences, ONG LaReponse.tech (AskVera [Go])

Context

Misinformation is rife: fake news, electoral manipulation, conflicts and geopolitical tensions. Deceptive websites mimic the local press, whilst conspiracy theories are proliferating, targeting young people. Faced with this challenge to democracy, critical thinking is becoming the key skill of the 21st century. The University of Angers, drawing on the expertise of the OSINT4FUN collective and the initiatives of its Foundation, is positioning itself to equip students and citizens in a politically polarised ‘panel city’.

Description

PARADE draws on the expertise and community of OSINT4Fun, a national collective dedicated to monitoring and combating disinformation, to create an academic ecosystem that brings together scientific research, digital tools and public engagement.

OBSERVATORY AND PLATFORM 
PARADE is establishing an academic observatory in the form of a collaborative digital platform. Its scientific mission is to map fake news at national level, analyse its impact on young people and adults, develop fact-checking methodologies, and document best practices in media and information literacy (MIL). In practical terms, the platform will offer users tools that can be put to immediate use: an interactive map of fake news with circulation statistics, a library of downloadable teaching resources, interactive learning pathways tailored to different audiences, and a networking space featuring a directory of stakeholders and a calendar of regional events.

ORIGINALITY OF THE PROJECT 
PARADE stands out for four key contributions:
- An integrated ecosystem: a project that explicitly combines academic research and a technical platform to address pressing social issues championed by the UA Foundation in the local area, all within a single university.
- Effective interdisciplinarity: the social sciences and humanities (sociology, social psychology, political science), computer science, health sciences and library science are working together on a shared objective.
- A strong local focus: Angers provides a relevant field of observation due to its socio-political diversity, which enhances the scientific value of the data collected.
- Open-source approach: open licences and comprehensive documentation to ensure maximum transparency.

FEDERATING DIMENSION
The project brings together a wide range of stakeholders within the University of Angers (BIATSS staff, academic staff and students) to address a specific civic issue. This cross-disciplinary approach is an objective in itself: PARADE is designed as a university-wide initiative, not just a laboratory-based project.

OUTLOOK 
PARADE is laying the groundwork for future expansion. In the short term: integration into existing UA events (Gender Month, Campus Day) and initial applications for national calls for proposals. In the medium term: setting up a student information monitoring team and opening up towards an E2O programme on ‘Disinformation & Citizenship’. The aim is to strengthen the UA’s position as a regional and national leader on these issues.

MONITORING AND EVALUATION 
The steering committee comprises: the project lead, the Vice-President for Campus Life, the Foundation’s representative, a representative from the University Library, a student representative and a representative from Terre des Sciences.
The evaluation will be based on quantitative indicators (number of users, fact sheets produced, documented response time to identified disinformation) and qualitative indicators (user satisfaction, trainers’ adoption of the tools, scientific quality of deliverables assessed by the committee).

Target audience and communication

PARADE is aimed at two complementary audiences: ESL stakeholders (trainers, librarians, associations), who will find educational resources and a professional network on the platform, and the young people and adults targeted by the tailored interactive learning pathways. Communication will build on existing university events (Gender Month, Campus Day), the OSINT4Fun network and the visibility of LaReponse.tech, ensuring both local and national reach.

Local benefits of the project

PARADE strengthens the University of Angers’ position as a leading player in the field of disinformation at a regional level. The platform provides digital literacy stakeholders in Angers with practical, shared tools. Its local roots in Angers, a recognised site for scientific observation, promotes local research. The student brigade and the future E2O create sustainable educational opportunities. Finally, the project enriches campus life through existing UA events.