Conspiracy theories surface everywhere — from social media feeds to workplace chatter — making it increasingly difficult to separate fact from fiction. Presented persuasively enough, even the most outlandish claims can make us question what we believe.

For the past six years, Chris Conner, assistant professor of sociology at the University of Missouri–Columbia, has researched political conspiracy theories alongside his collaborators. His work has appeared in outlets including Deviant Behavior and the Sociology of Sport Journal.

His next book, QAnon: Capitalism and the Crisis of Meaning, is slated for release next summer. Drawing from this research, Conner offers critical insights into the rise of conspiratorial thinking and shares strategies for identifying credible information in today’s polarized media landscape.

He holds a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and also authored Electronic Dance Music: From Deviant Subculture to Culture Industry.