While online racism and online misinformation have clear connections, research in these two related areas have tended to remain separate. The current project begins to bridge this gap, by testing a new intervention approach to countering online misinformation that perpetuates racism. The study draws on both online misinformation studies and critical literacy perspectives, and generates new understandings of the effectiveness of existing interventions from these fields, for addressing racist misinformation.

Ultimately, the project findings indicate that in some cases, misinformation training may be more effective when it is contextualised within specific misinformation topics and narratives — including racist narratives. Significantly, this suggests that there may be important limitations to consider regarding ‘broad spectrum’ or generalisable approaches to ‘inoculation’ against misinformation.

Nida Denson, Alexandra Lee, Alanna Kamp, Fethi Mansouri, Amanuel Elias, Rachel Sharples, Oznur Sahin, Karen Connelly, Yin Paradies, Craig McGarty and Kevin Dunn

In recent years, there has been a convergence of misogynistic attitudes and violent extremism both in Australia and abroad. From the ideological underpinnings of Islamist and far-right groups through to the rise of online male supremacist spaces now known as the ‘manosphere’, anti-women sentiments are increasingly serving as a catalyst within modern extremist movements. This has been seen in narratives of individuals belonging groups across a broad spectrum including Involuntary Celibates (Incels), the extreme--right, Christian nationalists, and Islamist jihadists, all of whom push for a return to traditional gender hierarchies that subjugate women and remove gender diversity.

This report responds to the growing acknowledgement both in academic literature in the social and behavioural sciences and within the Victorian policy landscape, that misogyny is not simply a social issue but a potential touch point into ideologically motivated violence.

Joshua Roose, Mohammed Ali, Miranda Stevens

The research addresses the relatively neglected subject of anti-racism in Australia. The research maps the frequencies and forms of everyday anti-racism and prosocial attitudes and interaction in Victoria; identifies the factors and social variations that underlie everyday action; and explores transversal enabler practices quantitatively, including their prevalence.

Our findings highlight five key areas that are significant for furthering anti-racism action.

Kevin Dunn, Jehonathan Ben, Rachel Sharples, Nida Denson, Amanuel Elias, Fethi Mansouri, Craig McGarty, Yin Paradies, Oznur Sahin

We report on a stocktake review of racism data collected nationally in Australia and with a specific focus on Victoria. We provide a comprehensive overview, summary and synthesis of quantitative data on racism, identify gaps in racism data collection, analysis and uses, and make recommendations on bridging those data gaps and informing anti-racism action and policy.

Based on the review, we identified eight gaps to racism data collection and analysis and to collection methodologies. We recommend four interconnected ways to fill racism data gaps for anti-racism researchers, organisations and policymakers: 1) Further analyse existing data to address critical questions about racism; 2) Collect and analyse additional data; 3) Enhance data availability and integration; and 4) Improve policies that relate to the collection, analysis, reporting and overall management of racism data.

Jehonathan Ben, Amanuel Elias, Rachel Sharples, Kevin Dunn, Craig McGarty, Mandy Truong, Fethi Mansouri, Nida Denson, Jessica Walton and Yin Paradies

Our research looked at Asian Australians’ experiences of racism before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. We examined how these experiences are associated with their mental health, wellbeing and feelings of belonging. We analysed how targets and witnesses respond to racist incidents, and whether they report these incidents. This document contains our recommendations for policymakers.

Alanna Kamp, Nida Denson, Rosalie Atie, Kevin Dunn, Rachel Sharples, Matteo Vergani, Jessica Walton, Susan Sisko