As an international master’s programme dedicated to migration and intercultural relations, EMMIR has always valued open, inclusive, and reasearch-based dialogue, both in the classroom and in virtual spaces.
As such, social media is an important space for fostering discussion, connecting with students, alumni, and researchers, and sharing knowledge across borders. However, after careful consideration, we have made the decision to step away from X (formerly Twitter) and focus our engagement on platforms that better align with our values.
X has changed dramatically in recent years, making it an increasingly difficult space for constructive engagement. Many universities, research institutions, and civil society organizations have already left the platform due to concerns about content moderation, algorithmic changes, the amplification of harmful discourse, and the diminishing visibility of fact-based content.
More than 60 German universities and research institutions, including RWTH Aachen, Heidelberg University, and the Free University of Berlin, have announced their departure. Global organizations and nonprofits like the European Medicines Agency, Refugee Action, The Center for Countering Digital Hate, and more have followed suit, citing similar concerns.
For EMMIR, the decision to leave X was based on several key factors:
Changes to X’s moderation policies and algorithm have led to an increase in hate speech and disinformation, making it harder to maintain constructive and ethical engagement.
The platform’s shift towards prioritizing paid and sensationalist content has made it increasingly difficult for fact-based research and educational initiatives to reach their intended audiences.
The direction in which X is headed, including its ownership and policy decisions, does not align with EMMIR’s commitment to social justice, human rights, and intercultural dialogue.
Like many other institutions, we have seen a significant drop in meaningful engagement on X, making it less effective as a communication tool.
We are shifting our focus to BlueSky, a decentralized social network that fosters meaningful discussion and community building. BlueSky provides an opportunity to connect with migration scholars, students, practitioners, and institutions in a more constructive and ethical space. We will continue remain active on LinkedIn and Facebook, where we continue to share programme updates, research, and opportunities. We will also keep up-to-date with new platforms that align with our mission and values.
This move is part of a broader effort to ensure that our online presence reflects our core values. We invite our students, alumni, and partners to continue engaging with us on platforms that foster collaboration, critical dialogue, and knowledge sharing.
We look forward to building a strong, engaged community in these spaces, both new and established.
You can stay connected with EMMIR via:
Комментарии