Studying Online Extremism: Ethics, Methods and Personal Safety
The study of online violent right-wing extremism is an emerging and growing field in academia. However, it can also expose researchers to unique methodological challenges and risks of harm. This five-day workshop is co-organized by C-REX and VOX-Pol and aims to provide PhD students with the foundation skills for studying online right-wing extremism by focusing on methodology, ethics, and personal safety.
The workshop will outline different methodological approaches to this work and provide practical skills such as digital ethnography, analyzing memes and posts, and text analysis. Recognizing that work on right-wing extremism involves specific ethical challenges, the workshop will discuss ethical guidelines for preparing ethics applications and publishing ethically, as well as researcher personal safety. Students will have the opportunity to present work-in-progress and to visit the 22 July Memorial Centre.
Confirmed lecturers include Dr. Maura Conway, Dr. Ashton Kingdon, and Dr. Cathrine Thorleifsson (with more to come!).
This workshop will be held on 9-13 June 2025 at the Center for Research on Extremism at University of Oslo, Norway. It is organized by Dr. Audrey Gagnon (University of Ottawa) and Dr. Nicola Mathieson (University of Liverpool).
Deadline to apply: 14 March 2025
To apply, please submit:
- a motivation letter (including a description of your ongoing research projects; maximum of 1 page)
- CV
- a letter of reference
Lunches, coffee and snacks will be provided during the workshop. If needed, participants will be able to apply for financial support offered by VOX-Pol.
Requirements:
- Applicants should be engaged in a PhD program in Social Science or Humanities.
- Applicants must do research on online right-wing extremism
Note: This PhD Summer School has no tuition fee
Visit the C-REX website to apply.