Lopes, CarlosAntunes, Maria da LuzSanches, Tatiana2025-03-252025-03-252024-06Lopes, C., Antunes, M. L., Sanches, T. (2024). Be careful! A Portuguese project about critical thinking and information literacy to counteract disinformation in an academic context. In EAHIL 2024 Conference, Riga, The National Library of Latvia, June 11-14.http://hdl.handle.net/10400.5/99670This work was supported by National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the scope of UIDEF - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Educação e Formação, UIDB/04107/2020, https://doi.org/10.54499/UIDB/04107/2020Introduction: In a digital culture where information increases exponentially, there is a growing need to train academic students to distinguish what are valid and credible sources from what could be fallacies, errors, and disinformation. In this sense, scholars, teachers, and librarians play a relevant role as training agents, as they work in close collaboration with these audiences. Aim: The Project’s main objective is to develop a reasoned reflection, present recommendations, develop instruments that can be applied by academic librarians and teachers (using mobile technologies), and implement tools for optimizing IL in current teaching-learning contexts to further enhance their role in the digital age and make significant contributions to countering disinformation. Method: The project will last 30 months. Two studies are underway for a preliminary diagnosis: a quantitative approach and a qualitative approach (with semi-structured interviews and focus groups). The diagnosis will enable the adaptation and implementation of instruments (ACRL Framework, CRAAP, and RADAR tests), tools, and teaching materials (games, cards, puzzles) and their application to academic students. Results: This recent and ongoing project is exploring the use of guidelines and different tools in practical work to counter disinformation among academic students, stimulating critical thinking on the issues of privacy, copyright, and the manipulation of information, as well as other phenomena that influence beliefs about information. Currently, the status assessments are underway, highlighting the evolving role of academic librarians and teachers as crucial contributors to countering disinformation. Conclusion: Disinformation is ubiquitous. Algorithms become more malicious every day. Individuals distribute and disseminate information, often without understanding the impact of their decisions. By outlining successful strategies and offering insights, the research will provide valuable resources for students, looking to actively address the challenges posed by disinformation and promote IL in their learning communities.engCritical thinkingInformation literacyDisinformationLearning strategiesHigher educationPortugalconference object