Kind scholars of democracy, extremism, & violence
This is a list of scholars who work on tough topics incl a bit of gender, religion, immigration, race, education as it relates to democracy and mass violence- but are somehow also super kind, generous, & thoughtful. It is totally incomplete. Please nominate someone else who should be on this list!
Created by
@milleridriss.bsky.social
@jysexton.bsky.social
Hoosier, Political Analyst, The Midnight Kingdom: A History of Power, Paranoia, and the Coming Crisis, Co-Host Muckrake Podcast, newsletter Dispatches From A Collapsing State, Board: The Change Campaign
@danieljschulte.bsky.social
Associate Lecturer, Political Science Department, University College London Researching morality politics, authoritarianism, women’s rights, backsliding, methods; Turkey, Russia, Poland. Website: https://danieljschulte.com/
@mloadenthal.bsky.social
Professor, researcher, consultant, trainer. Political violence, social movements, OSINT, (cyber)security, tech & law. Director @ prosecutionproject.bsky.social & peacejusticestudies.org Ⓐ/Ⓥdad x 4+🐶🐶 https://michaelloadenthal.academia.edu
@afilindra.bsky.social
Award-winning political scientist writing on the historical origins of gun culture and it relationship to political violence. Loves cheese and her kid. In that order. New book: Race, Rights, and Rifles. A Public Voices Fellow.
@lacefishnets.bsky.social
Licensed therapist (MO ‘14). Scholar in the psych of authoritarianism since ‘17 due to outrage a/b child border separ. & lifelong PTSD. Had to know what was going on due to my own anxiety & fell down a rabbithole I never wanted to develop expertise in, ha!
@adapalmer.bsky.social
Novelist (SF, fantasy), historian (Renaissance Europe, intellectual history, Italy, classical reception), composer (filk, Viking stuff), disability (chronic pain), manga/anime (Tezuka), food, cool photos of history (#SomethingBeautiful) Blog exurbe.com
@inesbsomoano.bsky.social
• PhD Political Science, EUI Firenze • Visiting & postdoc Radicalisation, ISGA Leiden •Lecturer International Security, IBEI Barcelona • EU counter-terrorism, Islamophobia & right wing (online) radicalisation ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2805-5269
@maik.machine-vs-rage.net
Head of Research on Digital Conflict Studies @idz-jena.bsky.social Research on right-wing extremism, protest, digital platforms and Greece Co-Editor of @machine-vs-rage.net
@gretajasser.bsky.social
Researcher | Political Science | Researching the far-right and misogyny online | Co-founder of @theIRMS
@radinje.bsky.social
PhD Rel Studies - Jewish + Islamic philosophy, pol thought, history. Arabic is better than my hebrew. Tldr: Leo Strauss radically pro-democracy, Judaism & Islam closer than Christianity, 2 states, manuscripts rock, I have kids, nationalism 👎#canada - usa
@jenikubota.bsky.social
Assoc prof @UDelaware | social neuroscientist interested "us vs them" and "human vs AI" | Mexican, Indigenous, Japanese First Gen | #UDPBS | @UDPOSCIR | ifsnlab.org 🧠
@marietta1.bsky.social
University of Cambridge | Trinity College | Conferences in Political Theologies | Comparative study of religion in politics, law and society | All the interdisciplinary stuff | Constitutionalist.
@helenurpiwagnercoello.org
First Gen 🇵🇪 advocating for students in Miami FL, focused on supporting Dreamers 🦋 SEAS Lab and UNIDOS Center at FIU. @ICQCM and NPA IMPACT fellow | Storytelling in HigherEd | Immigration Studies | SciCom
@jbf1755.bsky.social
Childless bird lady. Historian of “early” US politics & culture; howl re: democracy on a daily basis. Last book: The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress & the Road to Civil War. Owned by Newbie the History Bird. https://www.youtube.com/@joannefreeman1755
@maargentino.com
Counterterrorism | Esotericism | Conspiracy Theories | National Security | Child Safety | www.maargentino.com | 🇨🇦 Wehret den Anfängen A mix of a caffeinated conspiracy theorist and a wise owl, perched atop a mountain of esotericism.
@amaramarasingam.bsky.social
Prof @ Queen's University | Work: Extremist/social movements, religion and politics, diaspora politics, conspiracy theories, online communities, MENA, South Asia | Hip-Hop is Life 🎤
@andrew-whitehead.bsky.social
IU Indianapolis sociologist studying religion, culture, politics, disability | Books on Christian Nationalism http://linktr.ee/andrewwhitehead | Substack: https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com/ | Bio: https://tinyurl.com/42wspc8m
@gerardomarti.bsky.social
William R Kenan, Jr. Professor of Sociology @ Davidson College | Race, Religion, Power, Social Change | Past Editor Soc of Rel Journal, President SSSR & ASR, Chair ASA Rel & AAR Rel and Soc Sci Unit | cv https://bit.ly/40mps8D | Schuller Bio 2025📚
@ardenthistorian.bsky.social
Author @Rowohlt, freelance journalist, senior correspondent Religion Dispatches, writes about Christian Nationalism & Right-Wing Extremism in the US & globally. 1/2 of @femshelfcontrol.bsky.social Agent: Landwehr & Cie Events: Paula Döring
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
Historian. Author. Professor. Budding Curmudgeon. I study the contrast between image and reality in America, especially in politics.
@emptywheel.bsky.social
Coverage of American authoritarianism with a focus on legal cases. An American-Irish in Limerick, Ireland. Legendary potty mouth!
@terikanefield.bsky.social
Former appellate defender and UC Berkeley Law graduate. I’ve written more than a dozen books and published more than 50 pieces in major outlets including The Washington Post. Website: www.terikanefield.com Subscribe to my blog here: eepurl.com/h4xCMr
@timothysnyder.bsky.social
Levin Professor of History at Yale. Author of "On Freedom," "On Tyranny," with 20 new lessons on Ukraine, "Our Malady," "Road to Unfreedom," "Black Earth," and "Bloodlands"
@karenstenner.bsky.social
Political psychologist & behavioral scientist, best known for long ago predicting the rise of Trump-like figures under the kinds of conditions we now confront.
@ninaeliasoph.bsky.social
🐣 I like multiple realities, absurdity (except when it fills up the gov't), class politics, sociological imagination, forests 🦆 🐿️ 🐣 I draw & write: Ethnography, democratic theory, graphic nonfiction. Send me your thoughts to make into words/drawings!
@ninabandelj.bsky.social
Professor of Sociology, University of California, Irvine; economic sociology, culture, emotions, work & organizations, comparative political economy https://faculty.sites.uci.edu/ninabandelj/
@ibramxk.bsky.social
National 📙 Award-winning Historian • 10 NYT Bestsellers such as STAMPED FROM THE BEGINNING and HOW TO BE AN ANTIRACIST • FAMU alum 🐍 • MacArthur Fellow. 🦁🌱 ibramxkendi.com
@pierremonforte.bsky.social
Political sociologist. Social movements, activism, volunteering, migration, citizenship.
@miniminuteman.bsky.social
Archaeologist • Environmental Scientist • Googledebunker 2.2M YouTube 2M TikTok
@climatecasino.net
Retired professor of mathematics and computer science, casino consultant, author of 4 books: 3 on casino games & 1 poetry book. Now I volunteer, walk a lot & feed local critters. My 'doomer' starter pack: https://go.bsky.app/9ozevcf
@ajoystein.bsky.social
Sociologist thinking and writing about authoritarianism, democracy, LGBTQ issues, feminism. Author of The Stranger Next Door, Unbound, other books. Bronx born Jersey girl. Never Again for Anyone. #KnittyGrittyJC
@bvelto.bsky.social
Teacher, learner, spouse, parent, child, Friend | he/him/his | playing WoW since BC | lover of Irish whiskey, rugby, and sweaters | tea snob | opinions mine | trying to become anti-racist because #BlackLivesMatter
@bostonjoan.bsky.social
I am the founder of The Critical Internet Studies Institute and an Assistant Professor of Journalism and Emerging Media Studies at Boston University www.criticalinternet.org
@sarahposner.bsky.social
Investigative journalist, columnist, expert on the Christian right. Working on something new. Author, Unholy. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/605774/unholy-by-sarah-posner/ More: https://www.sarahposner.com
@tessowen.bsky.social
Words in New Yorker, NY Mag, WIRED, Guardian & more. VICE News alum. Reporting on extremism, disinfo, subcultures etc. more fun than I sound. send tips/ say hello at tessalexandraowen@gmail.com or DM for signal
@kevinmkruse.bsky.social
Historian: White Flight; New Suburban History; Fog of War; One Nation Under God; Fault Lines; Voter Suppression; Myth America. CAMPAIGN TRAILS: campaign-trails.ghost.io
@victorasal.bsky.social
UAlbany professor Studies insurgency/ terrorism & Ethnic & LGBTQ Discrimination & Pedagogy.
@cgresearcher.bsky.social
researcher (belief, ideology, extremism, authoritarianism, political violence), do-er, partner, mother. Currently @perilresearch.bsky.social but opinions my own, etc
@emilystingle.bsky.social
currently @perilresearch.bsky.social || misinfo and digital/media literacy || co-creator: www.danieltheducc.org || annoyingly proud wisconsinite 🧀
@sethlimmer.bsky.social
Director of Public Affairs, PERIL. Founder, Repair Consulting. Transformative change agent working for justice and peace.
@khaet.bsky.social
Polling Associate at Public Policy Polling. I post about public opinion, dog whistles, the far-right in the US, and my love of public transit. 🎓BA ‘16 in Political Science from WWC. 🎓MA ‘20 in Political Communication from AU. I like: 🐈⬛ ☕️🥡📰📊
@heidibeirich.bsky.social
Co-Founder // Chief Strategy Officer Global Project Against Hate and Extremism. Expert on right-wing extremism. Opinions here are my own. globalextremism.org
@jjwest.bsky.social
PhD Candidate @ American University Senior Researcher @ PERIL 🏳️🌈 My dog’s name is Tofu
@remakingmanhood.bsky.social
Author activist on Man Box culture / Co-founder http://WalkingTalkingMen.org / Books, podcasts in linktree below He/Him #masculinity https://linktr.ee/remakingmanhood
@cat-tebaldi.bsky.social
Postdoc @ culture & computation lab | language & gender & far right | Still trying to make anti-fascist semiotics happen
@tristanbridges.bsky.social
Sociologist @ UC Santa Barbara. Co-editor of Men and Masculinities (Sage journal) and Exploring Masculinities (Oxford UP). he/him Also: @TristanBridges@mastodon.social
@cihantugal.bsky.social
Professor of Sociology at UC Berkeley Working on a book on right-wing populism https://sociology.berkeley.edu/faculty/cihan-tugal
@ullijentsch.bsky.social
Recherchen und Journalismus zur extremen Rechten von AfD bis rechter Terror Berlin / Germany Newsletter 'Research Against Global Authoritarianism': https://tinyurl.com/3c6h83ny
@draamattheis.bsky.social
Lecturer in Digital Media and Culture at the University of Manchester. Researching gender, racism, and digital cultures of far-right, white supremacists, and male supremacist extremism. Views my own.
@drkowert.bsky.social
Founder of Psychgeist. Policy and Product Advisor for games and game adjacent spaces. Visiting Researcher @ Cambridge. Chocobo wrangler. All opinions mine.
@orensegal.bsky.social
Senior Vice President, Counter-Extremism & Intelligence. Host, extremely podcast. 60% of my body is coffee. Basketball junkie. Views my own.
@cjpascoe.bsky.social
Sociology. Running. Banjos. Bikes. Books. Knitting. Would rather be on a trail. 📚Nice Is Not Enough: Inequality and the Limits of Kindness at American High 📚Dude You're a Fag: Masculinity and Sexuality in High School www.cjpascoe.org
@drjchernov.bsky.social
Professor. #PSC #IR. Author. Becoming Jihadis: Radicalization & Commitment in Southeast Asia @ oxfordacademic. Why Terrorists Quit @Cornellpress. Terrorist Behavior. CVE. How Terror Cells are Constructed. Repatriation. SE Asia. Equality for all.
@grahammacklin.bsky.social
Historian @crexuio.bluesky.social University of Oslo. Interested in the far right, fascism & terrorism. I co-edit Routledge’s Fascism & the Far Right book series: https://www.routledge.com/Routledge-Studies-in-Fascism-and-the-Far-Right/book-series/FFR
@ashkingdon.bsky.social
Lecturer in Criminology at the University of Southampton Researching all Things #OnlineExtremism #Terrorism #ClimateChange #Gaming #Ethics #VisualMethods #FarRight
@evianeleidig.com
Expert in reactionary politics, online harms & platform governance | The Women of the Far Right: Social Media Influencers and Online Radicalization 📚 💻 evianeleidig.com
@bartbonikowski.bsky.social
Assoc Prof of Sociology and Politics at NYU studying nationalism, populism, and radical-right politics using surveys, experiments, and computational text analysis. Affiliate Faculty at NYU's Center for Data Science.
@drernestocast.bsky.social
Director,@theimmigrationlab.bsky.social; Center for Latin American & Latino Studies; and Full Professor, Sociology, American University, DC. Immigration and the politics of the possible. Author of multiple books & articles.
@profterrig.bsky.social
Bad ass in poli-sci UBC, Vancouver. Immigration, race, far right politics. Author of many books including Radical Empathy. French🇫🇷, German🇩🇪, Catsky 🐈 https://linktr.ee/terrigivens
@amyspitalnick.bsky.social
CEO, Jewish Council for Public Affairs (@thejcpa.bsky.social) Focused on democracy, hate, & extremism. Previously: sued Nazis & won; Comms Director & Sr Policy Advisor, NY Attorney General
@amycooter.bsky.social
Militia expert. Sociologist. Research Director ARC (@arcglobal) and exciting news soon Nostalgia, Nationalism & the US Militia Movement: http://tinyurl.com/yvme26ad
@regularpete.bsky.social
Extremism, Democracy, Peace | PERIL at American University | Punk Stuff and Cats
@megansquire.bsky.social
Cyber threat intelligence, investigations. CompSci PhD. Former @elonuniversity @splcenter
@sjacks26.bsky.social
Researching right-wing extremism in the U.S, conspiracy theories, extremist language, etc. Professing in Albany, NY Black Lives Matter he/him My Oath Keepers book: bit.ly/2DOUuh7 CV: https://tinyurl.com/meyy6xpd
@sldelange.bsky.social
Professor of Political Pluralism University of Amsterdam | Extremism, populism, radicalism scholar | Board member IISG Amsterdam and Wiardi Beckman Foundation | Allotmenteer | Zeeuws meisje |
@casmudde.bsky.social
Dutchman in the South 🇺🇸 | Politicoloog 👨🎓 | European politics 🇪🇺 | far-right parties ✋ | soccer & politics ⚽ | punkrock 🎸 | movies 🎥 | columnist ✍️ | he/him/his 🚹 the “populism guy” who just wants to talk about soccer and politics 🤷♂️
@denverr.bsky.social
Former Congressman, J6 Committee, CEO AI & Tech, NY Times best selling author of THE BREACH and BIGFOOT-IT’S COMPLICATED, whiskey distiller & dad/husband/granddad who doesn’t vote for sexual abusers. Co-Host of “Truth In The Barrel” with Amy McGrath.
@lilymasonphd.bsky.social
Political scientist at Johns Hopkins, author of Uncivil Agreement and co-author of Radical American Partisanship
@victorerikray.bsky.social
Sociologist, UIowa Associate Professor and author of On Critical Race Theory. Vice-President Elect, American Sociological Association. BIGS Racial Equity Fellow at Harvard Business School.
@kathleenbelew.bsky.social
Historian of the white power movement, gun violence, the apocalypse. Coloradan. kathleenbelew.com Book coming soon! Home, at the End of the World (Random House) Posts reflect my own views only.
@jeffsharlet.bsky.social
Bestsellers THE UNDERTOW: Scenes from a Slow Civil War & THE FAMILY, also a Netflix series. + THIS BRILLIANT DARKNESS; SWEET HEAVEN WHEN I DIE & more. Words & pics Vanity Fair. Professing @ Dartmouth. He/Him. New writing: https://slowcivilwar.substack.com/
@antheabutler.bsky.social
Professor, Ride or die Eagles fan, traveler and gin drinker. Comedic truth teller.
@ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
History & Italian Professor, NYU; Author, NYT Bestseller Strongmen; Publisher, Lucid, a Substack newsletter on authoritarianism and threats to democracy; Film & TV Consultant
@milleridriss.bsky.social
Founding Director @perilresearch.bsky.social, testing ideas to prevent violence & build social cohesion. Author, Man Up, Hate in the Homeland, The Extreme Gone Mainstream. MSNBC columnist. Can accept many opinions as long as we agree all dogs go to heaven.