CANSES Webinars
Introducing the Researching the Far Right: Methods & Ethics Webinar Series
CANSES is proud to partner with the Center for Research on Extremism (C-REX) to produce a webinar series focused on the ethical, methodological, political, personal, practical, and professional challenges involved in researching the far right. C-REX has previously partnered with the Reactionary Politics Research Network (RPRN), the Centre for Alternatives to Social and Economic Inequalities (CASEI), and the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) to support similar initiatives.
Upcoming CANSES Webinars
“Analysing the Far-Right in Online Spaces: Research Pathways and Approaches”
The next C-REX/CANSES webinar will feature Drs. Daniel Barnett (University of East London) and Ana-Maria Bliuc (University of Dundee) on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, 5:00-6:00pm CEST | 8:00-9:00am PDT | 11:00am-12:00pm EDT.
The far-right’s use of online spaces to promote narratives, recruit members, and consolidate in-group dynamics has been analysed by researchers for decades, but understanding where to start can be difficult. The webinar looks to frame that research journey by introducing the paper titled Far-right narratives of online groups: A systematic review of recent cross-disciplinary research. Specifically, how the findings and gaps in the literature regarding the far-right’s use of online spaces has led to research meant to address those gaps. The webinar will discuss approaches to conducting systematic reviews on the far-right in online spaces, including pitfalls to avoid. This will be followed by how researchers can build upon the findings when reviewing literature on highly politicized identities, including potential novel pathways of analysis. The far-right represent an existential threat to continued democratic standards and norms, and with increasing mainstreaming of narratives espoused by far-right groups, it is imperative to understand how to analyse and combat these narratives in the spaces they originate in.
Dr. Daniel Barnett is a post-doctoral Research Tutor at the University of East London. An avid proponent of Social Identity Theory, his research focus has been analysing far-right online groups in their own spaces, and the psychological group dynamics that drive them. Other research has analysed the dynamics of digital populism, as well as expanding upon intellectual humility frameworks in psychology.
Dr. Ana-Maria Bliuc is a social and political psychologist who joined Psychology at the University of Dundee in 2019. She has a PhD in Psychology from the Australian National University. Her research examines how people’s social identities influence their behaviour in a range of contexts including health, environmental (climate change), and socio-political (collective action and social change). More recently, she has focused on research on online communities looking at how collective identities and behaviours are shaped through online interactions. This research has been conducted in online political communities (mostly far-right and white supremacist) and online health communities (recovery from addiction).
If you would like to stay up-to-date and receive invitations for the C-REX/CANSES webinar series, please sign-up here.
Past Webinar Series
Researching the Far Right: Methods & Ethics
Advancing the Study of Far-Right Movements through Ethnographic Methods
Dr. Sabine Volk discussed how the conceptualization of the far right as a social movement and the corresponding shift in focus from political parties to movement-based organisations necessitates a methodological recalibration.
The Violent Extremism and Terrorism
What Happens When Everyone Else is an NPC? How Gaming Publics Welcomed the Far Right
Dr. Adrienne Massanari discussed how gaming spaces have become fertile soil for far-right recruitment and mobilization.
Researching Far-Right Mothers as a (Leftist) Mom
Catherine Tebaldi discussed her recently published book Alt-education, on conservative and far-right women and the use of motherhood and maternity in right-wing media and digital organizing.
Considerations on Artificial Intelligence
Drs. Stephane Baele and Lewys Brace examined the use of artificial intelligence by extremist actors and possible applications in the future.
The Digital as Field Site: Negotiating the Ethics of Extremism Research Online
Dr. Ashley Matteis discussed the ethics of approaching “the digital” as a field site in online extremist research including the implications both for researchers and research subjects.
Researcher Safety & Vicarious Trauma: Recommendations for Universities, Supervisors, and Researchers
Clare McKendry discussed the hidden dangers researchers face in the field and brings awareness to ‘research trauma’.
Is It Ok to Talk to Extremists? Navigating Gender and Avoiding Legitimisation in Ethnography with the Far Right
Dr. Elizabeth Pearson discussed the challenges of using an empathetic methodology to interview far right extremists.
Exploring Security Clearance, Data Access, and Ethical Considerations in Violent Extremism Research
In this webinar, Dr. Sara Thompson discussed key lessons learned from working in the national security space.
Did you miss a webinar?
Find available talks on the CANSES YouTube channel.