Online Library

VOX-Pol Lecture Series, Spring 2023

Title: Emerging Methodologies Panel: Researching the Metaverse.

Chair: Dr Suraj Lakhani (University of Sussex)

Speaker 1: Dr Rachel Kowert

Outline: “The Metaverse” is a phrase that is used often despite the fact that there is no clear consensus on how to define this space. In this short talk, we will explore the various interpretations of the metaverse and put forward a new definition of “metaverse-like spaces” and explore how these environments are not something to expect in a dystopian future, but are present here and now. We will also discuss the challenges and practicalities facing researchers who wish to study these environments.

Speaker 2: Dr Elizabeth Pearson

Outline: Online extremism and terrorism research has been going on for at least two decades now: although there was some earlier coverage (Lowe 1985), the academic sub-field had its genesis in the late 1990s and early 2000s (Arquilla, Ronfeldt, and Zanini 1999; Conway 2002; Denning 1999). Despite this, understanding its impacts on the people who collect and analyse data on online extremism and terrorism, and who publish their findings, is a relatively new concern. Lizz Pearson discusses the new VOX-Pol report from the REASSURE project, exploring how researchers are harmed, how they prevent harm and what institutions are doing to help. Based on interviews with researchers, we look at how research in the metaverse might change these findings, and how institutions need to adapt to the ever-changing research environment to protect academics.

VOX-Pol Guest Lecture Series, Autumn 2022

Speaker: Dr Bettina Rottweiler

Title: The Functional Link Between Conspiracy Theories and Violent Extremism

VOX-Pol Guest Lecture Series, Autumn 2022

Speaker: Professor Kumar Ramakrishna

Title: Identifying ‘Salafabists’ in South East Asia

VOX-Pol Guest Lecture Series, Autumn 2022

Speaker: Prof Maura Conway

Title: Online extremism and terrorism research: Where we’ve been, where we’re going

Outline: As part of the inaugural guest lecture for the 2022 series, Prof Maura Conway discusses “Online extremism and terrorism research: Where we’ve been, where we’re going”. The lecture is preceded by an introduction by VOX-Pol co-ordinator Prof Stuart Macdonald and is followed by a Q&A moderated by Seán Looney.

VOX-Pol Guest Lecture Series, Autumn 2023

Name: Dr. Rohit Chopra

Title: Online Hindu extremism: Local, national, and global dimensions Outline: This presentation traces the history of online Hindu extremism, from its origins in the early years of the post-web internet to its significant amplification during the last decade with the political ascendancy of the Hindu Right in India. Delineating the key characteristics of online Hindu extremism, the presentation describes how online Hindu extremism feeds off local, national, and global developments and operates at each of these levels.

VOX-Pol Guest Lecture Series, Spring 2024: Studying Right-Wing Extremism

Speaker: Sam Jackson is an Assistant Professor in the College of Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security, and Cybersecurity at the University at Albany. His research focuses on right-wing extremism in the United States; extremism online; social media, activism, and conflict; and computational social science.

Presented by Seán Looney