Educated but not Immune: How Russian Disinformation Influences Political Behaviour Among Natives and Diasporas

In the digital era, disinformation is a key tool for opinion manipulation, with Russian campaigns destabilizing regimes by shaping narratives and interfering in elections. While widely acknowledged, its direct impact on political behaviour remains understudied, especially among highly educated populations, often seen as less susceptible. Moreover, while natives are well-studied, little is known about diasporas, who may be more vulnerable due to transnational ties. This study examines how Russian disinformation impacts the political behaviour of highly educated individuals in Belgium’s native and diaspora communities. Key research questions address the role of education in disinformation susceptibility, its impact on voting behaviour, and the socio-political factors driving differences between natives and diasporas.

A mixed-method approach is employed, starting with an analysis of a multilingual survey of 7,500 respondents across 13 countries affected by Russian disinformation. Belgium serves as a case study, with 10 focus groups exploring differences in susceptibility between highly educated natives and diasporas. Building on these findings, a gamified experiment between the two groups is conducted to measure disinformation’s impact on voting behaviour. By revealing vulnerabilities among highly educated groups and clarifying how community ties shape democratic resilience, the research provides a novel comparative analysis of disinformation’s socio-political impact among natives and diasporas.