COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories: Contents, Channels, and Target Groups

The goal of this project is to document the ongoing debates and alternative beliefs around the COVID-19 pandemic, as they are influenced both by previously known conspiracy theories and those specific to the Corona outbreak. Our project aims to trace the origin and spread of COVID-19 conspiracy theories worldwide and in Estonia, paying particular attention to their contents and target groups as well as channels via which conspiracy theories reach them. In case of Estonia, we will also explore how and which conspiracy theories spread among the Estonian- and Russian-speaking population. We will pay particular attention to vaccine hesitancy, mask or social distance skepticism, as well as COVID-dissidence. Ultimately, we aim to find answers on how to counter conspiracy theories for the benefit of stakeholders, pedagogues, public agencies, and journalists.