Arguments
Available Handbooks
Over the years, our team has been involved with the creation of several handbooks related to debunking misinformation. Team members are co-authors of the handbooks and/or we coordinate the translation activities. Please check the linked summary page for each of the handbooks to download the free PDFs and see which translations are already available.
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Over the past few decades, the fossil fuel industry has subjected the American public to a well-funded, well-orchestrated disinformation campaign about the reality and severity of human-caused climate change. The purpose of this web of denial has been to confuse the public and decision-makers in order to delay climate action and thereby protect fossil fuel business interests and defend libertarian, free-market conservative ideologies. The report America Misled - first published in October 2019 - explores the techniques used to mislead the American public about climate change, and outlines ways of inoculating against disinformation. Short URL: https://sks.to/americamisled |
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Published in March 2018, The Consensus Handbook summarizes research into how opponents of climate action have cast doubt on consensus, why that matters, and how we (including journalists) can respond. Short URL: https://sks.to/chb |
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Conspiracy theories attempt to explain events as the secretive plots of powerful people. While conspiracy theories are not typically supported by evidence, this doesn’t stop them from blossoming. Conspiracy theories damage society in a number of ways. To help minimise these harmful effects, The Conspiracy Theory Handbook explains why conspiracy theories are so popular, how to identify the traits of conspiratorial thinking, and what are effective response strategies. Short URL: https://sks.to/conspiracy |
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Social media has fuelled a so-called ‘infodemic’, resulting in conspiracy theories and other misleading claims being shared rampantly, which could discourage people from being vaccinated and compromise efforts to achieve herd immunity. The COVID-19 Vaccine Communication Handbook sets out the facts, highlighting how the vaccines are overwhelmingly safe and effective. Short URL: https://sks.to/c19vax-sks |
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The Debunking Handbook 2020 is a consensus document that was created by an innovative process that involved a series of predefined steps, all of which were followed and documented and are publicly available. The authors were invited based on their scientific status in the field, and they all agreed on all points made in the handbook. We therefore believe that the new Handbook reflects the scientific consensus about how to combat misinformation. Short URL: https://sks.to/debunk2020 |
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Published in January 2021, The Teachers' Guide to Cranky Uncle offers background information and classroom activity ideas for educators interested in using the Cranky Uncle game to teach critical thinking in their classes. Short URL: https://sks.to/crankyguide |
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Have you ever struggled with the communication of climate change uncertainties? Are you frustrated by climate sceptics using uncertainty - inherent in any area of complex science - as a justification for delaying policy responses? Then the Uncertainty Handbook - a collaboration between the University of Bristol and Climate Outreach (former COIN) - is for you. Short URL: https://sks.to/uhb |
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Published in June 2025, the Anti-Autocracy Handbook is a call to action, resilience, and collective defence of democracy, truth, and academic freedom in the face of mounting authoritarianism. It tries to provide guidance to scholars navigating the growing global trend of democratic backsliding and autocratization, in particular in the U.S. Short URL: https://sks.to/autocracy |
