Julia Ebner is a prominent researcher, author, and expert in the field of extremism and online radicalisation. With a career spanning over a decade, she has gained recognition for her in-depth investigations into extremist groups, both online and offline. As Founder of the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford, Julia's work focuses on the rising influence of far-right extremism, Islamist radicalisation, conspiracy theories, and the social mechanisms that drive individuals toward these ideologies.
Julia has studied at some of the world’s most prominent institutions including the London School of Economics & the University of Oxford where she obtained her DPhil in Anthropology. Leading the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford’s Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion, she also teaches at Oxford's Department of Politics and International Relations. She currently serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue where she has co-authored reports such as “The Great Replacement: The Violent Consequences of Mainstreamed Extremism”, “Mainstreaming Mussolini” and “The Fringe Insurgency”.
Julia is the author of several best-selling books, including “The Rage”, “Going Dark”, and “Going Mainstream”. These works are based on her undercover research, where she infiltrates extremist groups to better understand their recruitment tactics and ideologies. Her research has been instrumental in advising organisations such as the United Nations, NATO, Europol, and major tech companies like Google and Meta on combating extremism and preventing terrorism. Since 2024, Julia has been the Calleva Postdoctoral Researcher at the Magdalen College at the University of Oxford.
Throughout her career, Julia has provided policy advice to governments and intelligence agencies, and her writings regularly appear in leading global publications such as The Guardian and The Financial Times. She has also spoken widely on the challenges posed by modern radicalisation, including how global crises and technologies like social media and artificial intelligence are accelerating the spread of extremist ideologies. Her TEDx Talk “Why We No Longer Get Along” is an example of her capabilities as a keynote speaker. Now available to hire as a speaker for events related to cybersecurity, geopolitics and counter-terrorism, Julia Ebner is one of the best speakers to book. Enquire now!
Social Media
Books
The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist & Far-Right Extremism
Going Mainstream: How Extremists are Taking Over
Going Dark: The Secret Social Lives of Extremists
How to hire Julia Ebner
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Julia Ebner for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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Julia Ebner's official speaker topics are listed below:
The Trust Gap: Restoring Trust in an Age of Misinformation
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?
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 Polarisation
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.
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?
Official Feedback from In-Person & Virtual Events
Feedback from In-Person Events:
"Julia manages to combine genuine erudition with a compelling speaking style. Her talk was one of the most memorable at the conference - and, from audience feedback, a popular favourite." - TEDx Oxford
"It is exceedingly rare that the major technology companies, like Google & YouTube, listen to outsiders, let alone have their policies influences by outside experts. Julia is that rare exception; she is such an exceptional researcher and communicator that she has been invited, repeatedly, to advise the senior most decision makers at these influential companies." - Google
"Julia is leading voice in her field. She manages to captivate her audiences by breaking down complex issues and bringing her research to life with anecdotes." - Europol
"Julia is an excellent speaker in high demand and one of the top experts on extremism, hate speech and conspiracy myths." - Meta
- 2024 – Founder of the Violent Extremism Lab, University of Oxford
- 2024 – Invited to speak at the Global Summit on Terrorism & Political Violence by The Soufan Centre
- 2024 – Calleva Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Oxford
- 2023 – Author of “Going Mainstream: How Extremists are Taking Over”
- 2020 – Special Advisor, United Nations
- 2019 – Author of “Going Dark: The Secret Social Lives of Extremists”
- 2017 – Author of “The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist & Far-Right Extremism”
- 2017 – Senior Research Fellow, ISD
- 2015 – Senior Researcher, Quilliam Foundation
- 2014 – Junior Researcher, European Institute for Asian Studies
- 2012 – Consultancy to the Knowledge & Innovation Department, UNDP
- 2012 – Junior Analyst, UPS
- 2010 – Junior Consultant, Icons
