Cancelled 30219

Researching the Far Right: Methods, Challenges, and Ethical Reflections

Christin Jänicke und Rebecca Kittel

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Since the 2000s, the far right has gained increasing success in parliament, and broadened its influence in civil society. In this seminar, we will focus on the so-called fourth wave of postwar far-right politics, which is characterized by the mainstreaming and normalization of far-right actors and ideas, and how we can counter these developments.

This seminar explores the methods, challenges, and ethical considerations involved in researching the far right. Students will examine the various actors and movements within the far-right spectrum and learn how to empirically study these politically and socially significant phenomena. The course covers both qualitative and quantitative research methods, such as text-as-data or fieldwork approaches, addressing issues of access to hard-to-reach groups and the complexities of interpreting potentially problematic data.

A key focus of the seminar is the ethical dilemmas that arise when researching far-right ideologies. How can researchers engage with hate-filled content while maintaining their scientific integrity and social responsibility? How should research findings be presented to avoid amplifying harmful narratives? And how can researchers protect their mental health while engaging with potentially traumatic and highly distressing content related to the far right?

Through practical examples and case studies, students will gain insights into real-world research projects and engage critically with state-of-the-art literature on far-right movements. The course also encourages students to develop their own research questions, taking into account the methodological and ethical challenges inherent in studying the far right.

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13 Class schedule

Regular appointments

Mon, 16:00 - 18:00 13 Class schedule

Mon, 2026-04-13 16:00 - 18:00

Lecturers:
Christin Jänicke
Dr. Rebecca Kittel