Concordia PhD Candidate Scott DeJong awarded Fulbright Scholarship for innovative work in media literacy

Concordia PhD candidate Scott DeJong has been awarded a prestigious Fulbright Award for his groundbreaking work on combating disinformation through educational games. DeJong, who is completing his doctorate in Communications, will spend the next nine months at the University of Washington in Seattle, where he will design a media literacy board game for children aged 10 and up.

DeJong’s project aims to bridge the gap between how disinformation is encountered in everyday life and how it is taught in classrooms. While several educational games have emerged since 2016 to address the issue, DeJong argues that many rely on predictable designs and fail to have players reflect on what infromation they trust. His approach will be different, using game mechanics to encourage critical thinking and self-reflection, rather than merely instructing players on how to spot fake news.

“Disinformation manipulates us in complex ways, and our educational tools need to reflect that,” DeJong said. “Games can offer a unique space for tough conversations, helping players navigate these challenging topics through play.”

The board game will be tested in Seattle’s schools, libraries, and community groups, with a final version set to be translated and implemented in Canada. DeJong’s goal is to create a resource that is relevant across national borders, reflecting the global nature of disinformation.  

In addition to his Fulbright Award, DeJong holds a Fonds de recherche du Québec - Société et culture (FRQSC) scholarship. He is an active member of several research groups at Concordia, including the Technoculture, Arts and Games Lab (TAG), the Machine Agencies research group, and the Applied AI Institute.