Discussion with Prof Cas Mudde: Populism, Extremism & Democratic Resilience

We are delighted to announce the second talk in the Safety, Security and Wellbeing for All series , hosted by INCORE International Conflict Research Institute) at Ulster University.

Our guest speaker for this online event is Professor Cas Mudde (Distinguished Research Professor and Stanley Wade Shelton UGAF Professor of International Affairs), one of the world’s leading scholars on populism and the far right.

Professor Mudde is a globally recognised expert on far-right politics in Western democracies and beyond. He is widely known for his groundbreaking work on populism, extremism, and democracy. His award-winning and influential contributions include Populist Radical Right Parties in Europe (2007), The Far Right Today (2019) , Populism: A Very Short Introduction (2017, with Cristóbal Rovira Kaltwasser), and many others. For his full profile, visit here.

In this talk, Professor Mudde will talk about the emergence and evolution of far-right movements across Europe, alongside developments such as MAGA in the United States. Drawing on decades of research, he will reflect on how liberal democracies can respond to these challenges without compromising their core values.

Date:30 April 2026

Time: 14:30-16:00 (BST)

Venue: Online

We invite you to submit questions in advance to be shared with Professor Cas Mudde during the session. Please email your questions to the organisers by 24 April 2026. Due to time constraints, only a selection of submitted questions will be asked.

The United Kingdom is experiencing growing political polarisation, with more divisive and exclusionary discourse becoming an increasingly visible feature of its public life. In recent years, radical narratives have gained greater prominence in debates about immigration, law and order, human rights, and welfare -issues that are central to the well-being of society as a whole. This development has, at times, also contributed to heightened social tensions and instances of violence.

We believe this is a critical moment that calls for thoughtful engagement from academic, policy, and community actors alike. The challenges posed by extremist politics have implications that extend across society. We must come together to reflect on how we arrived at this juncture, where we might be heading, and how communities and institutions can work collaboratively to safeguard democratic values and social cohesion.

In response, we are launching a public lecture series examining extremist political discourse- its nature, historical evolution in the UK and beyond, its increasing normalisation in public debate, and its broader implications for democracy and social wellbeing.

Daniel’s lecture will be followed, during the first half of next year, by talks from distinguished scholar of the extreme right, Professor Cas Mudde, and Hope not Hate’s Research Director, Dr. Joe Mulhall.

This series is convened by Dr Luqman Saeed (Department of Accounting, Finance and Economics/ International Conflict Research Institute, UU) , in collaboration with Professor Brandon Hamber (John Hume and Thomas P. O’Neill Chair in Peace, International Conflict Research Institute, Ulster University) and Professor Élise Féron (Director, International Conflict Research Institute, Ulster University).

Photo: Aerial view of Kingston upon Hull anti-immigration riot Aug 2024 at The Royal Hotel, Hull

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher INCORE