Dr Julia Ebner.
Dr Julia Ebner is an author and academic.
A world expert on online radicalisation, conspiracy myths and threats to democracy and minority rights, and terrorism prevention. At the University of Oxford, she is a Calleva Scholar (Magdalen College), leads the Violent Extremism Lab at the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion and teaches for the Department of Politics and International Relations. She is also the award-winning and internationally bestselling author of Going Mainstream (2023), Going Dark (2019), and The Rage (2017). She is Co-Executive Director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) in London
Having led multiple research and advisory projects in the policy and security world, along with being involved in several undercover investigations into extremist groups across the ideological spectrum, Julia regularly advises government and intelligence agencies, tech firms, and transnational organisations, including the UN, NATO, Europol, the World Bank, Google, and Meta.
keynote speeches.
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Trust in science, the media and democracy have been dwindling in recent years. But in this new era of misinformation and distrust, the private sector has been a rare source of hope: according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, private sector firms and employers enjoy the highest trust levels in society. Julia addresses questions such as: What drives the enemies of science and democracy? Why are we more susceptible to conspiracy myths and disinformation in a world of growing uncertainty? And what can companies and institutions do to reverse this trend and restore trust?
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The risk of systematic disinformation campaigns that can lead to delegitimisation, hate and agitation has been further aggravated by the next generation of technologies. From Large Language Models (LLMs) and deep fakes to Decentralized Autonomous Organisations in the Metaverse, what risk do new technologies pose to organisations from a reputational perspective as well as a security perspective, and what can they do to prevent campaigns directed at their brand, employees or activities?
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Interstate wars, civil conflicts, and mass violence remain among the most urgent global threats — yet time and again, the international community fails to anticipate when and where crises will erupt. Drawing on big data analysis and interdisciplinary research, Julia sheds light on emerging dynamics in international security: What are the early warning signs that signal escalation towards violence? What patterns in the psychology and behaviour of violent leaders can help forecast conflict and inform early warning systems or geopolitical risk assessments? And why do people follow violent leaders, even when doing so leads to devastation? Julia examines these questions to explore how insights from data and behavioural science can help anticipate — and perhaps prevent — the next wave of global instability.
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From Donald Trump’s resurgence in the United States to the growing influence of far-right populist parties across Europe and the UK, liberal democracy is facing its greatest test in decades. Around the world, populist and authoritarian movements are eroding democratic norms, polarising societies, and reshaping global politics. Julia explores questions such as: Why are certain populations more susceptible to populist and illiberal appeals? What new patterns and trends are emerging across regions? How do these forces threaten open markets, institutions, and the rule of law? And crucially, what are the stakes for business, and what can leaders do to defend democracy in this new era of uncertainty?
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By day, Julia Ebner worked at a counter-extremism think tank, monitoring radical groups from the outside. However, in her spare hours – late nights, holidays, weekends – she adopted five different identities, and joined a dozen extremist groups from across the ideological spectrum. Based on her undercover investigations, Julia gives insights into how extremists across the world have skillfully expanded their reach by using cutting-edge technologies, attracted the youngest generations by gamifying their communication, and impacted politics by entering surprising coalitions.
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Incels. Anti Vaxxers. Conspiracy theorists. Neo-Nazis. Once, these groups all belonged on the fringes of the political spectrum. Today, accelerated by a pandemic, global conflict and rapid technological change, their ideas are becoming more widespread. Based on Julia’s undercover investigations for her latest book Going Mainstream, she explores: why outlandish ideas have taken hold and conspiracy myths are spreading faster than ever and, how, united by a shared sense of grievance and skepticism about institutions, radicalised individuals are influencing the mainstream as never before.
videos.
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