Julia Ebner is a leading voice in the realms of cybersecurity, geopolitics, and counter-terrorism, with a focus on the growing influence of extremism. As the Founder of the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford, she leads research into far-right radicalisation, Islamist extremism, and conspiracy theories. In addition to this role, she is the Calleva Postdoctoral Researcher at Magdalen College, Oxford, and teaches at the Department of Politics and International Relations. Her academic journey includes a DPhil in Anthropology from Oxford and an MSc in International History from the London School of Economics, further bolstered by studies at Peking University.
Julia has an extensive background in extremism research and policy advising. In her role as a Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), she has co-authored key reports such as “The Great Replacement: The Violent Consequences of Mainstreamed Extremism” and “Mainstreaming Mussolini”. Her expertise has led to collaborations with international organisations, including NATO, the World Bank, Europol, and major tech companies like Google and Meta. Her advisory work extends to governments and intelligence agencies, where her insights on terrorism prevention and online radicalisation have proven invaluable.
As an acclaimed author, Julia has written three influential books: “The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist & Far-Right Extremism”, “Going Dark: The Secret Social Lives of Extremists”, and “Going Mainstream: How Extremists Are Taking Over”. These publications, based on her undercover investigations into extremist networks, have garnered international attention and earned her several awards, including the Bruno Kreisky Prize for Political Book of the Year. Her ability to penetrate extremist communities provides her with unique perspectives on their recruitment tactics, making her a sought-after speaker at conferences, including the 2024 Global Summit on Terrorism and Political Violence.
In addition to her written work, Julia is a regular contributor to major media outlets such as The Guardian, The Financial Times, and The Washington Post. She frequently appears on television networks including the BBC, CNN, and Channel 4, discussing the challenges posed by modern radicalisation, cybersecurity, and the impact of new technologies on extremism. Available as a keynote speaker, her blend of academic expertise, practical experience, and engaging communication style make her a standout figure in the field.
Julia Ebner is regularly booked to engage audiences at events, read their latest feedback below:
“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.”
“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.”
“Julia is an excellent speaker in high demand and one of the top experts on extremism, hate speech and conspiracy myths.”
“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.”
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