This episode focuses on the mainstreaming of radical politics and how extremist ideologies gain a foothold. How can democratic practice respond to a trend toward polarization and destabilization of liberal democracies? And what defenses can be mounted to protect liberal values and institutions? Listen to hear about Julia Ebner’s latest research and potential ways to counter the trend of mainstreaming extremism.
Guest featured in this episode:
Julia Ebner, a social anthropologist by training, is a leading expert on radicalization, extremism and terrorism prevention. Her work addresses the threats to democracy, to women’s and minority rights from a variety of extremist groups. She is the internationally bestselling author of three book: The Rage (2017), Going Dark (2019), and mGoing Mainstream (2023). Julia Ebner is a senior research fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue in London and the leader of the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford’s Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.
Based on her academic research, as well as her undercover investigations among far-right extremists, misogynist groups, as well as jihadist groups, Julia Ebner also provides advice to governments and intelligence agencies, to tech firms and transnational organizations. She previously acted as special advisor on counter terrorism for the United Nations, and regularly writes for newspapers such as The Guardian and The Washington Post. Earlier this year Julia Ebner received the Open Society Prize awarded by the Central European University.
