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Conference Overview

Over the past decade, democracy has faced a sustained and multi-pronged assault, with authoritarian tendencies, political polarization, and disinformation reshaping public life, politics, and political-civic engagement across the globe. Among the most pressing threats is the increasing influence of radical right movements, which strategically deploy exclusionary narratives to erode trust in democratic institutions, suppress pluralism, and justify their undemocratic political agendas. A crucial element in this process is the interweaving of radical-right narratives with conspiratorial worldviews facilitated by a digital ecosystem with an unprecedented capacity for narrative production and circulation. These narratives not only cultivate distrust toward democratic institutions but also legitimize political violence and vigilante actions, both online and offline.

While not exclusive to the radical right, narratives based on or driven by conspiracy theories are often central to the radical right’s ideological arsenal, as is the case with debates around “Great Replacement” theory, “cultural Marxism”, and “gender ideology/LGBTQ lobby”. Their ever-increasing mainstreamization in the past decade poses a profound and multifaceted threat to democracy by distorting reality and reshaping political landscapes. Radical right narratives and conspiracism often claim or imply that institutions that are central to democracy (such as the media, electoral bodies, civil society, and government agencies) are controlled by hidden, nefarious forces. Such narratives convince an increasing number of citizens across countries to view these institutions as corrupt or illegitimate. Likewise, conspiracism typically frames political and social issues as battles between a “malicious” elite and a “benign” people. This framing intensifies political polarization, leading to hardened attitudes and reduced willingness for compromise, a crucial building block of democracy. This situation can lead to distortion in cultures of public deliberation and the formation of citizen consensus on public policy. Additionally, conspiracy theories often reject or distort empirical/scientific evidence, undermining the efficacy of public policies (e.g., vaccination campaigns, action for climate, etc.) and rigorous journalism to hold authorities accountable.

As is the case with X (formerly Twitter) under Musk’s ownership, social media platforms, algorithmic amplification, and alternative media ecosystems enable rapid dissemination of radical right narratives and conspiracies. Digital spaces create fertile ground for mobilization and radicalization around radical-right narratives and conspiracism, which often enable digital or violent vigilantism. Therefore, we observe a complex interplay between radical right narratives, conspiracy-fuelled grievances, and extra-legal vigilantism that targets marginalized communities, democratic institutions, and perceived ‘enemies’.

This conference seeks to explore these interconnections through an interdisciplinary lens, bringing together scholars from political science, sociology, anthropology, media studies, and related fields. We aim to critically examine how radical right narratives gain traction in digital spaces, how they intersect with conspiratorial thinking, and how they contribute to vigilante actions that threaten democratic practices. In doing so, we seek to move beyond descriptive analyses and foster theoretically informed discussions on the broader implications for democracy, public trust, and political and civic engagement.

Key Themes and Questions

We welcome both single-case and comparative studies that move beyond descriptive approaches and challenge theoretical conventions. Original interdisciplinary research based on qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches is particularly desired. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

• The formation, diffusion, and mainstreaming of radical/far-right narratives in digital and offline spaces, particularly regarding gender, migration, climate change, and public health;
• The ideological and socio-political conditions that enable the convergence of radical/far-right narratives and conspiracy theories;
• The role of digital platforms, media ecosystems, and AI-driven algorithms in amplifying conspiracy-fuelled radicalization;
• The links between conspiratorial discourses, political mobilization, and vigilante practices targeting marginalized groups;
• The gendered dimensions of radical/far-right vigilantism, including its ideological justifications and targets;
• The involvement of state institutions, law enforcement, and political elites in shaping and legitimizing vigilantism;
• The consequences of conspiratorial thinking for democratic governance, political participation, and public trust in institutions.

By addressing these critical themes, this conference aims to provide a nuanced understanding of how the radical right strategically deploys narratives to undermine democracy, deepen polarization, and mobilize extra-legal actors.

Call for Contributions

We invite scholars at all career stages, from early-career researchers to established academics, to submit original research papers with a strong empirical foundation that advances theoretical and empirical debates on these pressing global challenges. A limited amount of funding will be available to support travel costs for selected participants.

Selected best papers from the conference will be considered for inclusion in a special issue or an edited volume with a high-impact publisher. For this reason, we prioritize original and unpublished papers that make a significant theoretical and empirical contribution to the existing literature and bridge the gap between analyses that focus on the production and circulation of radical/far-right narratives and conspiracies and utilization of discourses to ‘take action’ in the form of vigilantism.

Submission Details: Please submit all the requested information in a single PDF file. Email your file to deusto2025@gmail.com

• Abstract (350 words) should outline the research question, methodology, and key/preliminary findings;
• A 300-word explanation of how your paper aligns with the conference theme;
• A short academic CV (2-4 pages).

Applicants should indicate whether they have funding to cover their attendance or if they wish to apply for a small grant to reimburse some of their expenses. (Please Note: We cannot guarantee full reimbursement of all costs for all participants. Early career and precarious researchers without institutional support will be prioritized based on the quality of the submitted abstract and CV.)