At the CAE, you have access to some of Australia’s sharpest minds and leading experts.
Dr Hassan Vally has joined the CAE to teach you how to navigate misinformation in the modern world.
Dr Vally is an Associate Professor of Epidemiology at Deakin University and has extensive experience in capacity building and responding to health emergencies across Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
Over the past decade, Dr Vally has dedicated a lot of time to bringing to light the challenges of science communication and health misinformation, with published work in The Age and The Conversation.
We caught up with Dr Vally to learn more about his experience in science communication and what you can expect to learn in his short course.
Why is this subject important?
Dealing with misinformation is one of the biggest challenges in our modern world. The sheer volume of misinformation online is overwhelming. Navigating through this as individuals and as a society is one of the most difficult problems we currently face.
What have you learned about misinformation?
I’ve gained a deep understanding of how misinformation is created, why it spreads, and what we can do to counter it. One effective way to combat misinformation is to equip the public with the tools to recognise it in all its forms. This enables everyone to make informed health choices based on quality and trustworthy evidence.
Why do you love science communication?
I’ve always loved science and talking about it. However, it was only in the last 10 years that I realised I had a passion for communicating science to the public. Along with this came the recognition that I was quite good at it, and so I had a responsibility to pursue this further.
What are some highlights of your work in public health?
One highlight has been working internationally for the World Health Organization (WHO), investigating disease outbreaks in developing countries. As an outbreak investigator in these countries, you work in challenging environments, but you also get to make a huge difference.
I was also able to help with Australia’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was challenging and rewarding. It was especially satisfying to play a significant role in communicating with the public during such a difficult time.
What will students learn from your course?
The aim of this course is to give people the knowledge to navigate our modern information ecosystem, which is rife with misinformation.
We cover how misinformation is created and spread, and the tactics used to deceive people. The philosophy is that the more you understand about misinformation the less vulnerable you are to being deceived and misled.
What can people expect from your classes?
With over 20 years of teaching experience at all levels, my goal is always to create a safe, fun, stimulating and interactive environment. I strongly believe in the ‘learning by doing’ model, so we spend lots of time on interactive exercises, discussions and applying newly acquired knowledge. I always feel like I learn as much as the students in my courses, drawing on their varied life experiences to make sense of the content.
Make sure you know misinformation when you see it and enrol now in How to Navigate Misinformation in the Modern World