Misinformation, disinformation, and conspiracy theories surrounding the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic have emerged on a scale rarely, if ever, seen before. Further compounding these issues are the sheer amount of information and the rapid pace at which it is delivered online and in other media. In this two-part workshop, Linda Hall Library staff and invited guest speakers will help the audience build skills to more confidently and successfully navigate information and resources, examine how and why misinformation occurs and what scientists and technicians are doing to address it, and learn steps each of us can take in our daily lives to support a more accurately informed community. Part 2 of the series will examine the challenges of delivering reliable information to the public, with attention paid to the roles of popular media, institutions such as libraries, and online channels such as social media. Guest speakers from diverse fields will share their experience navigating resources and delivering information to the public and discuss how they see disinformation impacting their work and the audiences they serve. The Speakers: Alex Knapp is a Senior Editor at Forbes, where he manages coverage of healthcare and science topics. He writes about a wide variety of topics related to the intersection of science and business, including healthcare, the commercial space industry, and quantum computing. He also edits the Forbes 30 Under 30 Science and Healthcare lists as well as the Forbes Europe 30 Under 30 list for Industry & Manufacturing. Kimberly Carter is the Head of Public Services at Linda Hall Library. She graduated with a Master’s in Library Science from the School of Library and Information Science at the University of Missouri-Columbia. Her previous work experience includes the libraries at the Veterans’ Administration Medical Center, Trinity Lutheran Hospital, and MRIGlobal (formerly Midwest Research Institute). Kim has worked at Linda Hall since 2017. Irina Raicu is the Director for the Internet Ethics Program at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. She is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (U.S.) and was formerly an attorney in private practice. Her work addresses a variety of issues including data ethics, social media’s impact on friendship and family, the digital divide, and disinformation online. Ashley Carlson recently joined the Linda Hall Library as the new coordinator for public programming. Before coming to the library, she worked for the University of Kansas providing research development and training for advanced scholars. She holds undergraduate and graduate degrees in creative and performing arts and completed her MS in Psychological Research focusing on science communication and the science-society interface. Her work focuses on advancing communication, engagement, and impact in STEM and broader scholarly communities.

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