Frank Selected for International Winter School in Doha

Frank Onuh was among 20 scholars selected from hundreds of applicants worldwide to attend the 7th edition of the fully funded, seven-day International Winter School organized by the Arab Center for Research and Policy Studies (ACRPS) and the Doha Institute in Doha, Qatar, held January 11–15. The program brought together participants from leading universities across the United States, United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Sweden, Australia, Iran, Canada, Egypt, Ireland, Italy, Romania, Denmark, and Hungary, creating a strong environment for intellectual exchange and international collaboration.

During the program, Frank presented a paper titled “Misinformation as Distraction: Ontological Capture and the Algorithmic Reordering of Attention in Post-Liberal Conditions.” The paper reconceptualizes misinformation as a mechanism of ontological capture, arguing that algorithmic forms of governance systematically reorder collective attention in ways that limit structural critiques of racial injustice, settler colonialism, and economic precarity. Drawing on six case studies from the United States and Canada, the presentation examined how platforms and states can co-produce forms of epistemic invisibility while amplifying spectacle.

The winter school provided an important opportunity for scholarly exchange, allowing participants to share ideas, receive feedback, and engage in discussion across disciplinary and international contexts.

Reflecting on the experience, Frank expressed particular appreciation for Walid Al-Saqaf for his rigorous critique of the paper and for sharing written comments. He also acknowledged the ACRPS organizers for creating what he described as an outstanding program. In addition, he recognized fellow presenting scholars Md Nazmul Arefin, Ehsan K., Dalia Elsayed, Kacper Mroczka, Melody Sepahpour-Fard, Saifeddine Jemli, and Parsa Akhlaghi for their conversations and collegial exchange throughout the event.

Frank also expressed gratitude to Professor Ahmed Al-Rawi for sharing the opportunity, and to Daniel Paul O'Donnell, Tunde Ope-Davies (Opeibi), and Barbara Bordalejo for their recommendations and support.

The presentation slides are available here on Zenodo , and the full paper will be shared upon publication. Frank also noted his appreciation for the University of Lethbridge for supporting emerging scholars and fostering opportunities for academic growth.

Frank also expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to participate in the program