By Audrey Gagnon and Nicola Mathieson
The Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) and VOX-Pol recently hosted a PhD Summer School on Studying Online Far-Right Extremism. The Summer School, which took place at the University of Oslo from June 9-13, was organized by Audrey Gagnon (University of Ottawa) and Nicola Mathieson (University of Liverpool). It focused on three fundamental themes – methods, safety, and ethics – to equip the 20 participants with the skills needed to complete their PhDs successfully and safely, especially in a context where institutions often fall short in providing adequate support. The participants also had the opportunity to visit the 22 July Centre, a commemoration and learning centre that documents and disseminates knowledge about the terrorism attacks in Oslo and on the island of Utøya in 2011, as a reminder of the consequences of online far-right extremism.
Beyond providing students with training on methods, safety, and ethics, a crucial aspect of the summer school was to build a community of early career researchers working on online far-right extremism. PhD students studying online violent extremism are often isolated within their departments, with few or no peers working on similar topics and working under supervisors who may have limited subject-specific expertise. Many scholars have emphasized the importance of building such research community to help navigate the risks and challenges of academia more generally – and especially when studying difficult and potentially dangerous populations, such as online far-right extremists. Indeed, a research community can offer both emotional support and mentorship. As discussed during the summer school, talking about the challenges encountered during research with others who have faced, or are currently facing, similar issues can be comforting and practically useful – such exchanges can indeed foster peer support and enable the sharing of effective strategies.
A research community can also foster collaboration and innovation. PhD students and ECRs are often at the forefront of methodological innovation. What was particularly exciting among the participants were the new approaches to studying online violent extremism that drew on new methodologies, epistemologies, and data. Throughout the summer school, participants presented their work and received valuable feedback from peers. But even more important was the opportunity to find connections between their work and to develop new collaborative research initiatives over the course of the week. Such collaborations can not only foster academic exchange but also help reduce the isolation and potential harm of studying online violent extremism. It also helps develop the important skill sets in collaboration and publication – both essential for entering the academic job market, yet often neglected in favor of completing the PhD project.
In addition to building community among participants, we also had the privilege of connecting students with leading experts in online violent extremism. Our lecturers, who volunteer their time, demonstrate the very best of the field not only in terms of expertise and research but generosity and mentorship for the next generation of scholars. We would like to extend our thanks to Anton Törnberg (University of Gothenburg), Cathrine Thorleifsson (University of Oslo), Katherine Kondor (Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies), Ashton Kingdon (University of Southampton), and Julia Ebner (University of Oxford) for their contributions to the summer school, as well as VOX-Pol and C-REX for their continued commitment to supporting PhD students and ECR researchers. Summer schools and events designed specifically for our emerging scholars play such an important role not only in keeping researchers safe and successful in their work but ensuring that they are connected to a community of scholars that understand and support their work.
Fortunately, the PhD Summer School on Studying Online Far-Right Extremism is one of several initiatives organized by C-REX and VOX-Pol aimed at supporting early career researchers (ECRs). These initiatives include:
- The Next Gen Network, a peer-led initiative that seeks to build a community for ECRs and provide members with access to academic resources. It also hosts an annual conference for ECRs working on issues related to violent online extremism.
- The biennial VOX-Pol Summer School, which offers an expert-led curriculum focused on the role of the internet in violent extremism; the next edition is scheduled for 22-26 June 2026.
- The C-REX webinar series, Researching the Far Right: Method and Ethics, designed to foster discussion about the methodological, ethical, political, personal, practical and professional challenges that may arise when researching the far right.
This is part one of a two part series from the C-REX and VOX-Pol Summer School 2025. Find out more about the Summer School here.
Audrey Gagnon is an Assistant Professor at the School of Political Studies at the University of Ottawa, Canada, and affiliated to C-REX.
Nicola Mathieson is a Lecturer in International Relations at the University of Liverpool, UK.