📝 Writing as an International Scholar

Writing

Words are just symbols. They don't carry meaning unless we assign objects, feelings, and stories to them.

Writing is however one of the most powerful means of communication, because of the knowledge it can transmit while leaving room for imagination. Writing shares messages that can resonate in different ways, making it a versatile and compelling medium.

As a scholar and consultant in international relations, I write a variety of pieces for scientific journals and online publications, as well as detailed reports for public authorities, think tanks, and international organisations.

My field of expertise revolves around strategic communication and its use in the political sphere, in particular propaganda, cognitive warfare, information manipulation and interference, public diplomacy, misinformation, and disinformation.

Below is a selection of my recent writings.

Publications

How the EU Framed ‘Disinformation’ as a Collective Security Threat

Vériter, S.L. (2025). The collective securitization of ‘disinformation’ and the EU’s ban on Russia Today and Sputnik, International Affairs, iiaf139, Oxford University Press, https://doi.org/10.1093/ia/iiaf139

How to Improve the EU’s Strategy to Fight Disinformation

Vériter, S.L. (2025). “Beyond Fact-Checking: What Europe gets wrong about disinformation, and How to fix it”, Media and Learning Association, July. https://media-and-learning.eu/subject/media-literacy/beyond-fact-checking-what-europe-gets-wrong-about-disinformation-and-how-to-fix-it/

The state of research about propaganda, misinformation, and disinformation

Vériter, S.L. (2025). “Undesirable Information Online: Unpacking the Complexity of Propaganda,
Misinformation, and Disinformation” In G. Christou, W. Vosse, J. Burton, and J.A. Koops (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook on Cyber Diplomacy, Palgrave Macmillan. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-031-93385-1_14

The consequences of a new EU leader for technology policy

Vériter, S. L. (2025). “Baltic Leadership in Brussels: What the New High Representative Kaja Kallas Means for Tech Policy”, Tech Policy Press. https://www.techpolicy.press/baltic-leadership-in-brussels-what-the-new-high-representative-kaja-kallas-means-for-tech-policy/

The origins and development of counter-disinformation policies in the EU

Vériter, S. L. (2024). Small-State Influence in EU Security Governance: Unveiling Latvian Lobbying Against Disinformation. JCMS: Journal of Common Market Studies. https://doi.org/10.1111/JCMS.13601

Narratives related to information and unwanted communication

Vériter, S.L. (2023). “From ‘Disinformation’ to ‘Information Disorder’: Changing the Narrative about Unwanted Communication”, The Hague Journal of Diplomacy Blog. https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/hjd/news/2023/blog-post—from-disinformation-to-information-disorder-changing-the-narrative-about-unwanted-communication

How small countries find a place in joint European foreign and security policies

Koops, J.A. and Vériter, S.L. (2022). “The Netherlands’ approach to EU CSDP and UN peacekeeping operations: Assessing a ‘big small power’ in European and global security” In T. Weiss and G. Edwards (eds.) Small States and Security in Europe: Between National and International Policymaking, London: Routledge. https://www.routledge.com/Small-States-and-Security-in-Europe-Between-National-and-International/Weiss-Edwards/p/book/9780367535513

Policy trends in countering disinformation in Europe and their impact on democracy

Vériter, S.L. (2021). “European Democracy and Counter-Disinformation: Toward a New Paradigm?”, European Democracy Hub, Carnegie Europe, 14 December. https://carnegieeurope.eu/2021/12/14/european-democracy-and-counter-disinformation-toward-new-paradigm-pub-85931

National responses to misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe

Vériter, S.L., Broeders, D., Kaminska, M., and Koops, J.A. (2021). “Responding to the Covid-19 ‘infodemic’: National countermeasures in Europe”, The Hague Program on International Cyber Security, Leiden University. https://www.thehagueprogram.nl/research-and-publication-posts/responding-to-the-covid-19-infodemic-national-countermeasures-against-information-influence-in-europe

Young Europeans’ perceptions of democracy in Europe

Lolacher, J. and Vériter, S. (2021). “Democracy” In T. Garton Ash (ed.) Young Europeans Speak to EU, Dahrendorf Programme at the European Studies Centre, University of Oxford, pp. 65-81. https://europeanmoments.com/sites/default/files/2021-08/young-europeans-speak-to-eu-rev20210808.pdf

Strategic communication challenges for the European Union during the COVID-19 pandemic

Vériter, S. L., Bjola, C., Koops, J. (2020). Tackling COVID-19 Disinformation: Internal and External Challenges for the European Union. The Hague Journal of Diplomacy, 15(4), pp. 569–582. https://brill.com/view/journals/hjd/15/4/article-p569_8.xml

Blog

I regularly write blog posts on the following themes:

Global Society

I write commentaries, analyses, and interviews reflecting on current global affairs. In those pieces, I aim to bring together a diversity of perspectives and knowledges that shed light on the interconnectedness and complexity of our world.

Technology

Technology shapes how we live and how we think about the future. In its best form, technology empowers; in its worst, it overwhelms and destructs. I write analytical pieces and interview experts discussing the latest advances in technology and how they impact society.

Mindset Growth

Mindset growth is a psychology concept referring to our ability to continuously learn and improve ourselves. I review books, share advice, and highlight my favourite resources to enhance productivity, wellbeing, and organisation.

Light Academia

The lifestyle and aesthetic of light academia refers to the love of learning and education environments. I write about university applications, academic and policy writing, as well resources to enhance creativity and career development.

Authentic Travel

Traveling is my favourite way of learning about culture, history, and people. It’s also my favourite creative muse! I love to find authentic gems in popular destinations, which is what I share in my travel guides.