Speaker
An authority on extremist groups across the political spectrum - informed by her own undercover investigations - Dr Julia Ebner is well placed to discuss the rise of the political fringe and their infiltration of the mainstream.
Mediated by the latest technology such as generative AI, the growing influence of radicalised individuals coincides with dwindling trust in the cornerstones of civil society - science, the media and even democracy. What does it mean to live in these febrile times? How can organisations and individuals alike become attuned to and guard against the tide of systemic disinformation?
SHOW REEL
Speaking topics
Threats to Democracy and Liberalism: The Rise of Populist and Authoritarian Regimes
From Donald Trump’s resurgence in the United States to the growing influence of far-right populist parties across Europe and the UK, liberal democracy is facing its greatest test in decades. Around the world, populist and authoritarian movements are eroding democratic norms, polarising societies, and reshaping global politics. Julia explores questions such as: Why are certain populations more susceptible to populist and illiberal appeals? What new patterns and trends are emerging across regions? How do these forces threaten open markets, institutions, and the rule of law? And crucially, what are the stakes for business, and what can leaders do to defend democracy in this new era of uncertainty?
Geopolitics and International Security: Mapping the Drivers and Trends of Global Instability
Interstate wars, civil conflicts, and mass violence remain among the most urgent global threats — yet time and again, the international community fails to anticipate when and where crises will erupt. Drawing on big data analysis and interdisciplinary research, Julia sheds light on emerging dynamics in international security: What are the early warning signs that signal escalation towards violence? What patterns in the psychology and behaviour of violent leaders can help forecast conflict and inform early warning systems or geopolitical risk assessments? And why do people follow violent leaders, even when doing so leads to devastation? Julia examines these questions to explore how insights from data and behavioural science can help anticipate — and perhaps prevent — the next wave of global instability.
The Trust Gap: Restoring Trust in an Age of Misinformation
Trust in science, the media and democracy have been dwindling in recent years. But in this new era of misinformation and distrust, the private sector has been a rare source of hope: according to the Edelman Trust Barometer, private sector firms and employers enjoy the highest trust levels in society. Julia addresses questions such as: What drives the enemies of science and democracy? Why are we more susceptible to conspiracy myths and disinformation in a world of growing uncertainty? And what can companies and institutions do to reverse this trend and restore trust?
Making Sense of the Insentient: Artificial Intelligence, Targeted Disinformation Campaigns and Conspiracy Myths in the Modern Age
The risk of systematic disinformation campaigns that can lead to delegitimisation, hate and agitation has been further aggravated by the next generation of technologies. From Large Language Models (LLMs) and deep fakes to Decentralized Autonomous Organisations in the Metaverse, what risk do new technologies pose to organisations from a reputational perspective as well as a security perspective, and what can they do to prevent campaigns directed at their brand, employees or activities?
Going Dark: Understanding Extremists
By day, Julia Ebner worked at a counter-extremism think tank, monitoring radical groups from the outside. However, in her spare hours – late nights, holidays, weekends – she adopted five different identities, and joined a dozen extremist groups from across the ideological spectrum. Based on her undercover investigations, Julia gives insights into how extremists across the world have skillfully expanded their reach by using cutting-edge technologies, attracted the youngest generations by gamifying their communication, and impacted politics by entering surprising coalitions.
Going Mainstream: Managing Societal Polarization
Incels. Anti Vaxxers. Conspiracy theorists. Neo-Nazis. Once, these groups all belonged on the fringes of the political spectrum. Today, accelerated by a pandemic, global conflict and rapid technological change, their ideas are becoming more widespread. Based on Julia’s undercover investigations for her latest book Going Mainstream, she explores: why outlandish ideas have taken hold and conspiracy myths are spreading faster than ever and, how, united by a shared sense of grievance and skepticism about institutions, radicalised individuals are influencing the mainstream as never before.
Speaker enquiries
Please contact Michael Levey for more information or to book Julia for a speaking engagement
Speaking Agent
Michael Levey
The Speaking Office
michael@speakingoffice.com
+44 7970 170 848
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