Dr Mark Doidge is teaming up with researchers in Ireland to explore how digital technologies can be used to reduce online expressions of hate.
10 August 2021
Dr Doidge - Principal Research Fellow in the 亚洲麻豆精品在线's School of Sport and Health Sciences – will collaborate with Dr Gary Sinclair from Dublin City University in a project entitled Tackling Online Hate in Football (TOHIF), which will examine online discourses to identify flashpoints and strategies that social media companies, policymakers and campaigners can then use to tackle expressions of hate driven by racism, sexism and sectarianism.
Football provides the project's core case study, examining online discourses around European Championships since 2008. Working with partner organisations committed to race equality, social justice and stamping out online hate, Dr Doidge and his collaborators will develop educational workshops, policies and specific machine learning procedures to identify and combat online hate on social media.
Dr Mark Doidge
Mark Doidge said: “In light of the deluge of racism directed at England men’s team after the final of Euro 2020, this project is timely and provides the opportunity for real impact. Players are raising awareness of the abuse they receive online, and social media is playing a central role in this. This international collaboration will not only identify patterns of abuse, it will develop strategies to limit online abuse.”
Project partners include Kick It Out, Sport Against Racism Ireland, Kick it Out, Football Supporters Association, Football Association Wales and Sporting Equals.
The research will receive funding of £324,961 through the , delivered by the – both part of .
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