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Understanding incel radicalisation and responses
This seminar will discuss involuntary celibates (incels). Drawing from a survey of over 500 incels, it seeks to understand their psychological experiences, adherence to ideology, and their interpersonal networks. Furthermore, it assesses how these factors interplay to develop harmful attitudes.
The talk will discuss appropriate responses to incels, including legislative, criminal justice, and practitioner interventions. Finally, we will examine ways in which researchers (both student and faculty) can research this phenomenon ethically and while staying safe.
Biography
Joe Whittaker is a senior lecturer in Criminology, Sociology, and Social Policy at Swansea University. He is also a director at the Vox Pol Institute. His research focuses on extremists’ use of the Internet and how to counter it.
His published work includes behavioural studies derived from court documents, experiments on social media recommendation algorithms, and the largest survey of incels to date. He also researches responses to extremism online, including by regulation and counter-narratives.
Please join either in person or online. For in-person attendees, the talk will be preceded by a light lunch at 12.15pm. Please email comms@sociology.ox.ac.uk with any questions.
Date:
26 January 2026, 12:45
Venue:
Seminar Room, Department of Sociology and Online
Speaker:
Dr Joe Whittaker (University of Swansea)
Organising department:
Department of Sociology
Organiser contact email address:
comms@sociology.ox.ac.uk
Part of:
Sociology Department Weekly Seminar
Booking required?:
Not required
Audience:
Members of the University only
Editor:
Laurel Millen-Quinn
