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The evidence base is still limited & much of what we know comes from case studies rather than large-scale research.

#extremismstudies #radicalisation #autism #mentalhealth

This article by Dr Neophytos Georgiou explores emerging research on autism & engagement with extremist content while making an important distinction: autism alone does not explain extremist beliefs or violence.

🔗 tinyurl.com/4endmxu6

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#extremismstudies #radicalisation #autism #mentalhealth

I’ll be presenting at this event!

I’m taking a slightly different angle from my usual work & looking at how different ideologies across the radical right use imagery of war in their social media posts.

I’m really looking forward to taking part!

#langsky #extremismstudies

🧵 4/4

It raises some fascinating questions about how influence now moves between online & offline spaces – & whether understanding contemporary far-right mobilisation increasingly requires us to understand the cultures & practices of social media influence too.

#radicalright #extremismstudies

🧵 3/4

Particularly striking is the feedback loop between online & offline activity: disruptive action creates compelling social media content, which attracts attention & engagement that can then help support further mobilisation.

#radicalright #farright #PatriotPlatform #extremismstudies

🧵 2/4

Researchers quoted in the article explicitly compare these practices to those of celebrity influencers while also highlighting the movement’s use of belonging, masculine identity, religious symbolism & narratives of national threat.

#radicalright #farright #PatriotPlatform #extremismstudies

🧵 1/4

Its leader, Danny Tommo, has used livestreams, frequent social media updates & cross-platform content to build a community, mobilise supporters at short notice, fundraise & keep audiences engaged.

#radicalright #farright #PatriotPlatform #extremismstudies

This fascinating piece from @theguardian.com examines the emergence of the Patriot Platform, a new anti-migrant movement whose recent protests combined highly organised offline action with a distinctly digital strategy.

🔗 tinyurl.com/2mst3ptc

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#radicalright #extremismstudies

🧵 4/4

Rather than thinking about social media simply as somewhere political ideas are communicated, cases like this raise questions about how individual figures build audiences, construct collective identities & then mobilise those communities into action.

#radicalright #extremismstudies

🧵 3/4

Incidents like this are not only troubling but appear to show an interesting development in the role of influencer-like figures in organising political movements & events.

#radicalright #Dover #Portsmouth #farright #extremismstudies

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The analysis highlights how social media was used to mobilise supporters at short notice & how a newly established movement is seeking to turn online support into coordinated offline action.

#radicalright #Dover #Portsmouth #farright #extremismstudies

This BBC News analysis traces the connection between two anti-migrant protests in Dover & Portsmouth to Danny Thomas (Danny Tommo).

🔗 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

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#radicalright #Dover #Portsmouth #farright #extremismstudies