What happens when an information attack targets a real person, his family, and his workplace? Drawing on his own experience, Nils Students examines how disinformation narratives are constructed, why particular individuals and institutions become targets, and how readily audiences can be influenced by incomplete or misleading information. Placing this case within the broader context of hybrid threats facing Latvia and Europe, he considers how media literacy can strengthen individual and societal resilience—and why it has become an important component of regional security.
Speaker
Nils Students is a Latvian-American public diplomacy and international affairs professional with more than three decades of experience in Latvia. Born in the United States to a family of Latvian refugees, he moved to Latvia in 1990 and has since worked across government, diplomacy, and the private sector. He served as Head of UK Trade & Investment at the British Embassy in Riga before spending 14 years with the U.S. Embassy, working in its Political/Economic and Public Diplomacy sections. He also owns and operates several Latvia-based small and medium-sized enterprises. He holds a BA in Multinational Corporate Studies and an Executive MBA.
Nils Students is one of the team of experts contributing to our Media Literacy in the Baltics: Identity, AI, and Security spring break certificate course and the Baltic Security and the Inforation Environment semester program, both based in Riga, Latvia.
About the Series
The Eurasian Corridor Lecture Series features primary and guest lecturers who contribute to SRAS programs across the Baltics, Central & Eastern Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia. Through focused online lectures, they share regional expertise and perspectives on the political, social, cultural, and economic forces shaping the Corridor and its place in the wider world.
Event Format
Unless otherwise noted, each event includes a 25–30-minute presentation, followed by 15 minutes of moderated discussion and 15 minutes of questions from attendees. A recording will be sent to everyone who registers.