VOX-Pol Next Generation Network Conference 2025
Hosted by Charles University, Prague
September 25-26th, 2025
We are pleased to announce the VOX-Pol Next Generation Network Conference, a community of early-career researchers (ECRs) working on issues related to violent online extremism in its many forms. The conference will be held September 25-26th, 2025 at Charles University in Prague, Czech Republic.
This interdisciplinary event provides a unique opportunity for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and other ECRs to share their work, receive constructive feedback, and network with peers and established scholars in the field. We welcome contributions from a broad range of disciplines related to violent online extremism, including (but not limited to): media and communication studies, political science, law, psychology, sociology, criminology, international relations, computer science, and digital humanities.
Conference Theme
The conference will explore broadly-defined contemporary challenges in online extremism research, including the evolution of extremist narratives, platform governance, algorithmic amplification, cross-platform strategies, and any other key socio-technical dynamics.
We invite abstracts (max. 250 words) for individual papers addressing (but not limited to) the following topics:
- Online radicalisation and recruitment tactics
- The role of algorithms and platform architecture
- Alt-tech and fringe platforms
- Disinformation, conspiracy theories, and extremist ecologies
- Counter-extremism and content moderation
- Ethical and methodological challenges in studying violent online extremism as an ECR
- Cross-platform data analysis and OSINT approaches
- Case studies of specific extremist movements or incidents
- Digitally-mediated masculinity and gendered radicalisation
- Ecological and systemic approaches to extremism
- Gamification, virality, and memetic warfare
- Youth, vulnerability, and online socialisation
This event is organised under VOX-Pol and the VOX-Pol Next Generation Network, a community dedicated to supporting early-career researchers working on issues related to online extremism. As part of the wider VOX-Pol research network, the conference will also feature the participation of senior scholars in the field, who will provide commentary and constructive feedback on ECR presentations, helping to foster dialogue across career stages and disciplines.
There will be a €40 conference fee to cover catering and refreshments throughout the two-day event. Further details regarding payment will be provided upon acceptance.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer travel funding for participants. However, we are happy to provide information about accommodation options and offer general advice to help you navigate your stay in Prague.
Submission Deadline: June 25th, 2025
Notification of Acceptance: July 2nd, 2025
Registration Deadline: August 15th, 2025
Conference Dates: September 25-26th, 2025
We encourage innovative submissions and particularly welcome participation from underrepresented regions and disciplines. All submissions will be reviewed by the Next Gen committee and placed into thematic areas. Applications are evaluated on a competitive basis. Participants can also attend the conference without submitting a paper for presentation.
To find out more information (or for any additional inquiries) please reach out to nextgen@voxpol.eu