A summary of the IAPSS seminar that took place on 23 MAY 2024.
Overview
In recent years, there has been a surge in extremism related to conspiracy and far-right ideologies, including vandalising phone masts and violent attacks on migrant centres.
This seminar discussed a CREST-funded project that uses a combined method of computer and social sciences to analyse interactions between conspiracy and far-right groups.
Using data from the storming of the capitol and anti-lockdown protests, this presentation focused on the relationships between these groups, key influencing topics, and the directionality of influence.
The insights highlighted the critical role of integrating computer and social science methods in detecting and preventing dangerous interactions between conspiracy and political groups.
Key Takeaways
- The findings show that group dynamics foster interaction between conspiracy and far-right groups, with far-right groups directly influencing conspiratorial communities, but not vice versa.
- Data suggests a connection between online communication and offline events, including violence, organised around themes such as Hidden Truth, Freedom, and Child Protection.
- Conspiracy and far-right groups exhibit different group dynamics with unique impacts on fostering interaction and influence. Notably, far-right groups tended to be structured in a more top-down model while conspiracy groups tended to be more discursive and grass-roots based.
Resources
Two CREST reports on the project are available:
- The first Full Report, 'Introducing SHIFT Analysis and Understanding Intra-Actions Within QAnon: Co-Presence of Conspiracy Beliefs and Extremism'
- The second Full Report: 'Understanding Interactions between Conspiracy Communities and Far Right Groups on Telegram and the Role of Figureheads'
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For more information on upcoming seminars and summaries on previous seminars, visit the Events page on the IAPSS website.