Researching Hate as an Activist

"This book is a vital contribution to the field of hate studies and the harms towards LGBTQ+ young people, whilst demonstrating the value of research as activism. The metaphor of the 'ivory tower' is often used when describing the academic environment. Challenging this, the book is an inspiring and timely call for academics and the public to engage in activism and allyship to achieve social change and justice." -Dr Irene Zempi (she/her), Nottingham Trent University, UK “This book is an important call to action for those in academia. In recognising and exploring the power imbued in our positions as both researcher and activists, it helps us understand the roles we can play in bringing about social change.” -Dr Jo Smith (she/they), University of Brighton, UK This book examines research as activism through a case study of online hate targeting LGBTQ+ young people. It focuses on key issues concerning defining online hate, LGBTQ+ young people’s experiences of and the harms of online hate. The book introduces the reader to research as activism, exploring how academic research has an obligation to be accountable to the communities we serve. It presents a reconsideration of researching hate that prioritizes the knowledge and expertise of community members above the academic researcher. Drawing on empirical data, the book is a call to action which argues for a moral and personal duty to address social injustices using our privilege as academics. Research as activism requires you to go beyond the four walls of your university to actively respond to socio-political injustices. Thus, the book discusses how researchers can use their academic tools for change. It speaks to academics, students, and practitioners interested in LGBTQ+ identities, hate studies, online safety, and research as activism. Rachel Keighley (she/they) is Research Associate at the University of Leicester in the School of Criminology, UK, and Vice-Chair of the British Society of Criminology Hate Crime Network. Her work includes researching LGBTQ+ hate, racism and modern slavery and sexual exploitation.