Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech: A Strategic Review at EPFL
Misinformation, disinformation, and hate speech (MDH) are among the most pressing challenges of our time. These phenomena increasingly interfere with major global risks: they fuel polarisation, increase social tensions, weaken trust in institutions, and can contribute to instability and real-world violence. At the same time, they represent a significant academic and technological challenge at the intersection of science, communication, and governance.
At EPFL, valuable research and several initiatives already relate. However, this work remains fragmented, and EPFL currently lacks a clear overview of who is working on what, as well as a coherent institutional vision in this area.
The goal of this project is to build a clearer and more coherent picture of how MDH-related challenges are addressed across EPFL’s activities. By mapping existing expertise, initiatives, and research efforts, the project aims to identify strengths, gaps, and opportunities, and ultimately help position EPFL as a meaningful contributor to addressing these challenges.
Dana holds a Master’s degree in Communication Systems from EPFL, specializing in cybersecurity. Her academic background includes applied work in cybersecurity, communication systems, and signal processing.
During her Master’s thesis at the Campus Biotech Geneva Foundation, she developed an AI-based speech recognition pipeline to automatically assess children’s pronunciation, supporting educators and clinicians even in the absence of transcription data.
Committed to sustainability and social impact, she participated in interdisciplinary projects such as KimCheese, and was actively involved with Ingénieur·e·s du Monde, an EPFL student association promoting responsible engineering. She is now particularly interested in technological projects that combine innovation, social impact, and sustainability, and was therefore delighted to join the EssentialTech team in February 2026 where she's working on Misinformation, Disinformation and Hate Speech.
Mariazel Maqueda López holds a PhD in Microsystems and Microelectronics from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), building on a strong foundation in nanotechnologies and telecommunications from her bachelor’s and master’s studies. In 2014, a life-changing volunteer experience in Nairobi’s slums with the nonprofit Amani inspired her to focus her career on empowering vulnerable communities.She has since worked with international nonprofits such as SéCoDev, Caritas Internationalis, and B Lab Switzerland, specialising in sustainable development. In 2020, Mariazel joined the EPFL EssentialTech Centre to establish and lead its PeaceTech Division. Under her leadership, the division leverages cutting-edge technologies to prevent violence, and foster peace, with a focus on addressing gender-based violence. Passionate about interdisciplinary solutions, she is driven to align advanced technologies with the urgent needs of developing regions.
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When Innovation Harms: Anticipating the Dual Use of Technology
Gender-Based Violence
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