Hate Networks: Online Polarisation and Attacks on Jewish and Muslim Communities in Australia

This project seeks to address how societal polarisation and tensions contribute to violent extremism, including attacks on people and property.

In particular, the project looks at the escalation of tensions involving the Australian Jewish and Muslim communities in the aftermath of the 7 October 2024 attacks and the subsequent war in Gaza. Using advanced statistical methods, the project will examine the relationship between online hostility targeting these communities and real-world incidents of violent extremism in Australia

The primary aim of this project is to identify shifts in online network dynamics that can serve as reliable indicators for the risk of offline hate incidents. By doing so, the research seeks to provide actionable warnings that can help in deploying early interventions to mitigate the risk of politically motivated and prejudice-motivated crime, to enhance community safety and cohesion.