NETHATE was highly active during the first twenty-four months of the project, despite the effects of COVID-19 and the worldwide pandemic. All Work Packages (WP) made progress.
The project concepts have been pursued through the following work in WP1: (a) development of datasets to be able to study the nature of hatred experimentally, (b) exploration of the psychological and behavioural impact of being a target of hatred, and (c) using literature review and interviews investigating societal factors that impact minority groups’ economic development.
In WP2, the work performed includes: (a) a review of the influences that facilitate spread of online hate, (b) literature review on what constitutes hate speech, (c) report on the prevalence of online sexual harassment behaviours and reporting policies & methods, and a (d) report on social media misogyny.
WP3 includes the following work: (a) literature review on the links between online hate speech and offline hate crime, (b) preliminary report on racial justice and supports available for victims, (c) report on the patterns of hate victimisation and different religious groups, (d) draft documents on religiously motivated hate speech targeting queer persons, (e) review of the policies and academic literature on the exclusion of Roma through harmful acts of hate, (g) draft report on the links between political ideologies and online hate.
The network training, as described in WP4, has been completed – the initial workshops were held online because of COVID related restrictions, and the training held in the last 6 months has been in-person. Additional training was provided based on ESRs (Early-Stage Researchers) feedback.
The Dissemination, Communication and Outreach activities, as described in WP5, have centered around the consortium’s website and social media channels. The COVID pandemic has restricted opportunities for in-person activities and there will be increasing focus on these aspects in the near future.
The Management-related deliverables (WP6) have been completed. These include ESR recruitment, formalizing management committees including ESR representatives, regular supervision of ESRs and development of their Personal Career Development Plan, development of Data Management Plan, further development of health-related supports for ESRs, and policy documents in regards Code of Conduct for researchers.
The Ethics related activities, in WP7, have included establishing an External Ethics Advisory Board, deliverables in regards data protection and ethical approvals for projects (if applicable) and working closely with External Ethics Advisory Board when issues may develop.
All milestones have been met on time.
