How do social media influence the growth and organisation of extreme right-wing movements? And what role do platforms such as Facebook and X play in reinforcing radicalisation? With her groundbreaking research into these pressing questions, Ofra Klein (Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication) has been nominated for the title of New Scientist Science Talent 2025 of the Netherlands and Flanders. In this interview, she talks about her work, her most important insights and the social impact of her research.
What questions do you hope to answer with your research, and how do you plan to do so?
"Over the past decade, the far right has grown significantly, partly due to the influence of social media. But how exactly does the far right use social media, and how significant is the role of social media platforms in the growth and mobilisation of radical and far-right movements? I study how far-right individuals and groups deal with platform regulations and moderation and adapt their strategies to the type of platform they use. I also investigate how offline factors influence their online activities. By combining large-scale text and network analyses with in-depth qualitative analyses of images and text, I compare far-right strategies on various platforms in different countries. This research may ultimately contribute to the design of more inclusive platforms."
What important insights has your research yielded so far?
"My recent research has shown that radical and far-right parties, influencers and groups use social media in different ways. Political parties often criticise the political establishment, while groups or individuals outside it focus more on issues such as immigration and Islam, often taking a more extreme stance. These groups adapt their strategies based on the specific platform and user group. Differences in platform design, such as the degree of anonymity and moderation, influence how platforms contribute to violent mobilisation, such as during the storming of the US Congress on 6 January 2021. In addition, far-right individuals use tactics such as “dog whistles” (symbols and coded language) to circumvent platform restrictions, to conceal hateful messages and thus evade moderation by platforms."
What makes this research special to you personally?
"What fascinates me personally is the ongoing cat-and-mouse game between social media platforms and far-right users. Users are remarkably resourceful in adapting to platform rules and exploiting technological possibilities to spread their messages. I am also intrigued by the influence of social media platforms and platform bosses, such as Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, who, through their moderation policies and algorithms, help determine what information is visible."
How does your research have an impact on society?
"Social media platforms sometimes inadvertently contribute to the visibility of far-right groups. Instead of solely analysing the content and ideology of the far right, I focus on the role of social media in their mobilisation. This perspective changes our view of internet regulation and platform moderation, as well as the responsibility of technology companies. It makes us think about the extent to which platforms are jointly responsible for the spread of extremist messages, and how their design can be adapted without restricting freedom of expression. The research really touches on urgent social issues, such as increasing polarisation and radicalisation. The knowledge we gain from this emphasises the need to better understand the role of social media in exacerbating these problems. It can contribute to more effective regulation and moderation, and to the broader debate on the impact of digitalisation on our democracy."
Publications and collaborations
One of her most influential studies was an analysis of far-right networks on Facebook, which was selected for Routledge's Trending Sociology Research campaign. Her analysis of “dog whistles” – subtle, coded language used by extremists to evade platform moderation – attracted both academic and journalistic attention. Her work has been cited in academic publications and leading media outlets such as NRC, Trouw and De Groene Amsterdammer.
Klein makes her research accessible not only to academics, but also to the wider public. She has written blogs for the Harvard Kennedy School Review and the International Society for Political Psychology, and has produced policy reports for the WODC and the European Commission. She has also shared her findings with policymakers and civil society organisations, such as the Centre for Media Pluralism and Freedom and the Amadeu Antonio Foundation.
Science Talent 2025
Ofra Klein is the only researcher from Erasmus University Rotterdam this year who is in the running for the title of New Scientist Science Talent 2025. With her innovative research into the role of social media in radicalisation, she is making an important contribution to the social debate on democracy, polarisation and digital responsibility. Do you find this research just as relevant and inspiring? Then cast your vote via the New Scientist website (in Dutch) and support Ofra in her nomination.
- Researcher
- More information
Cast your vote on the New Scientist website
For more information, please contact Julia Wetsteijn, press officer at ESHCC via wetsteijn@eshcc.eur.nl.- Related content
