Georgetown’s McCourt School Schedules Talk on 'Full‑Spectrum Propaganda' with Renée DiResta

The McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University announced a public conversation titled "Full‑Spectrum Propaganda, Explained," featuring researcher Renée DiResta and journalist Josh Goldstein on its Washington, D.C., campus. The program—framed as a focused discussion of modern information operations—brings two experts with research and reporting backgrounds to a campus audience of policy students, practitioners, and the public.

Organizers say the session will unpack how propaganda ecosystems operate across platforms, how actors coordinate narratives, and what it means for democratic resilience. DiResta is known for tracking disinformation networks and platform manipulation; Goldstein has reported on information operations with an emphasis on strategic messaging. The event format pairs short presentations with a moderated conversation and public questions.

Georgetown’s McCourt School positioned the conversation as part of its broader programming on public policy and information governance. Program materials highlight the event’s aim to translate research findings into policy-relevant takeaways for lawmakers, regulators, and civic groups based in and around the capital. Attendance is open to university members and the public through registration, and digital access may be offered for remote participants.

What the conversation will cover

Speakers plan to examine the concept the organizers call "full‑spectrum propaganda," which refers to coordinated attempts to shape public opinion using a mix of social media, traditional outlets, and covert influence tactics. The conversation will touch on detection methods, platform responsibilities, and the role of government and civil society in response.

The program description emphasizes practical examples drawn from recent information campaigns alongside analytical frameworks for policymakers.

Why this matters in Washington

The discussion brings research and reporting directly to the city where information policy is debated and decided. For lawmakers, staffers, regulators, and advocacy groups in the Washington region, the session offers a compact briefing on the operational mechanics of modern propaganda and potential policy levers. Georgetown’s role as a convening institution means the event could shape local policy conversations and provide fodder for congressional staff and think tanks watching the issue.

Beyond immediate audience benefits, the program underscores an ongoing trend: universities in the capital are serving as intermediary spaces where academic research, journalism, and policy-making meet. Events like this aim to shorten the distance between technical analysis of influence operations and the practical policy steps being considered at federal and local levels.

What to watch next: whether the McCourt School makes the session available online and whether briefing materials or a follow-up summary are released for policymakers and civic groups. Those outcomes will determine how broadly the event’s findings reach decision-makers beyond attendees.

; this conversation connects expert analysis on information operations directly to the city’s policymakers, staffers, and civic organizations. ## Key details - Event titled “Full‑Spectrum Propaganda, Explained” hosted by Georgetown’s McCourt School of Public Policy. - Speakers include researcher Renée DiResta and journalist Josh Goldstein. - Program will analyze coordinated information operations across platforms and policy responses.

- Georgetown framed the talk for policy audiences and the public; registration and possible remote access noted. - Aims to translate research into practical takeaways for lawmakers, regulators, and civic groups in Washington. ## What to watch Watch for online access, published briefing materials or a public summary that would broaden the event's reach to congressional staffers and local policy organizations.