In 2024, C-REX has continued to advance cutting-edge empirical and theoretical knowledge on right-wing extremism, violence, and hate crime; to share research-based knowledge with a range of academic and non-academic institutions; and to serve as an international hub for multidisciplinary research on right-wing extremism. In doing so, we have successfully met all three of our main objectives.
Research and Publications
In terms of scholarly research, we have made considerable advancements in understanding right-wing extremism, violence, and hate crime. Three notable PhD theses were accepted. Birgitte Haanshuus’ thesis, "Old Hate in New Media," explores antisemitic hate speech in the Norwegian digital sphere and boundary-making around discourses on Jews. Tamta Gelashvili examines far-right mobilization in hybrid regimes in her thesis, highlighting the need for theoretical development beyond democratic contexts. Hanna Munden's work delves into psychological approaches to extremism, focusing on exits from far-right groups and critiquing traditional views that emphasize abnormality. Additionally, C-REX affiliate Jørgen Axelsen has defended his thesis at European University Institute on the mainstreaming of radical parties at the local level, while Edin Kozaric has submitted his thesis on social dynamics within Muslim communities in Norway.
The broader research efforts at C-REX have resulted in a wide range of academic publications examining race, immigration, nationalism, and radical movements across different regions, including Europe, North America, and Scandinavia. The work explores the affective dimensions of far-right ideologies, strategic interactions, and transnational dynamics within Nordic and German contexts. Studies also investigate emotional rewards from membership in extremist groups, identity and stigma as (de)motivators radical right activism, and the paradox of the community-driven lone-actor terrorist. In a Special Issue, we provided an analysis of the burnings of the Qur’an that have taken and continue to take place in the Nordic context in recent years. The quality of research is further exemplified by awards to Uzair Ahmed and Christopher Fardan. Uzair received the King's Gold Medal and IMISCOE's Dissertation Award for his PhD on political violence among Muslim men in Norway, while Christopher earned the Manchester Jean Monnet Centre Doctoral Thesis Prize for his PhD on extreme nationalism in Norway.
Dissemination
In terms of dissemination, C-REX demonstrated significant commitment to sharing research-based knowledge on extremism, radicalization, and social dynamics, engaging with over 180 organizations and institutions, and making more than a hundred media appearances. Our activities included participation in conferences and seminars at numerous academic and non-academic institutions, and collaboration with law enforcement, government bodies and civil society worldwide. C-REX scholars contributed to forums spanning Europe, North America, and Asia, partnering with various minority, feminist, and academic groups. Our impact was highlighted in the final report by the Commission on Extremism, and reflected in media appearances on platforms such as The New York Times, The Guardian, Le Monde and numerous podcasts and broadcasts. The Norwegian Parliament's unanimous vote to ensure C-REX's continued funding beyond 2026 underscores our recognized influence and success.
Events and International Collaboration
C-REX also successfully fulfilled its objective of being an international hub for multidisciplinary research on right-wing extremism. The year featured numerous significant events. Most importantly, we hosted the 6th Nordic Conference on Violent Extremism, attracting wide participation from diverse academic disciplines. Next year, in 2025, this conference will be held at Aarhus University (see here for the call for abstracts). C-REX also visited the Institute for Interdisciplinary Research on Conflict and Violence (IKG) at the University of Bielefeld, where we organized the conference “Dimensions of Right-Wing Extremism in Europe”. Furthermore, we organized Webinar Series on Researching the Far Right, fostering global scholarly engagement on topics related to ethics and method, while the 4th Summer School on Far-Right Politics, organized with the ECPR Standing Group, further cemented C-REX's commitment to junior scholars in the field. Additionally, C-REX hosted various workshops, bringing together junior and senior scholars on topics such as anti-gender activism, trans panic, and anti-labor politics. We also organized the second edition of our ‘Practitioner Seminar’ to bridge the gap between academics and practitioners working on preventing violent extremism. Throughout the year, C-REX welcomed numerous guest researchers, reinforcing our status as a sought-after center for international scholars.
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all our academic and non-academic partners, our advisory board, affiliates, friends of C-REX, guest researchers, and our host institution, the Department of Political Science at the University of Oslo. A special thanks to our funders, primarily the Norwegian Research Council, and finally, to our staff members for their dedication, contributing to and sharing knowledge in times when academic freedom is increasingly under pressure.
We wish you all a restful holiday and look forward to continued engagement in 2025.