Radicalism and the New Media Research Group

Harnessing existing expertise in The University of Northampton's School of Social Sciences, the Radicalism and New Media Research Group is an initiative that will generate a series of practitioner-focused research projects.

Linking academia with the wider world, these partnership activities will coalesce around the understudied connection between radical and extremist political movements and their use of new media technologies. From the English Defence League's use of Facebook for directing activities to Islamist jihadi beheadings filmed for the purposes propaganda and global dissemination, this connection is both striking and increasingly relevant.

There has been, as yet, no co-ordinated network to systematically undertake research in the crucial area of new media and radicalism. In taking on this role, the Radicalism and New Media Research Group will invite academic researchers, practitioners and civil servants (particularly the police and others concerned with community cohesion) to compare experiences and develop collaborative enterprises in the analysis of this wide-ranging phenomenon, particularly as it relates to the contemporary UK.

Our research agenda

Although this concept is understood in its broadest possible terms by the research group, currently, the Radicalism and New Media Research Group is focusing on contemporary usages. Historical examples of new media facilitating radical political developments range from Martin Luther's use of the printing press to Joseph Goebbels' use of the radio. However, the group's current research agenda explores the new media revolution over the last generation (web 2.0, smart phones, satellite television, etc.) as it has been deployed by a wide range of contemporary radical movements. In particular, the group has expertise in the far-right, an area often neglected by the study of contemporary radicalism.

To develop such goals, the Radicalism and New Media Research Group will cultivate a profile that is both academic and public-facing. Its activities will be cutting-edge, and are supported by the School's established academic leaders in the fields of media studies, political extremism, law, sociology and criminology, as well as modern history.