The State of Hate and the Path Forward— A Transatlantic Symposium

This half day-long symposium at Fordham London brings together professionals from a variety of disciplines to address the pervasive challenge posed by online abuse and threats. This event is dedicated both to raising awareness of the forms and effects of online abuse and to developing robust, practical solutions to this growing problem.

The program includes:

• Quantitative data and detection strategies presented by Signify (online abuse in sports).
• An academic panel featuring Fordham London faculty tackling the difficult intersection of free speech and online harm.
• First-hand accounts of online abuse and advocacy insights from Jesuit Refugee Service UK.

We will conclude with a high-profile, joint event with the British American Project - UK, uniting US and UK leaders in a policy-focused discussion on accountability, legislation, and collective action designed to protect vulnerable communities online.

Info: Theory & Understanding: The core academic conversation. This will provide context for the entire day, exploring the question of legal protection amid the uptick in online abuse.

Info: Advocacy & Societal Impact: JRS UK will explore how political rhetoric and policy, online hatred, and real‑world hate crime feed one another - and how this harms people seeking sanctuary. Grounded in our community’s experience and independent research, we’ll show how dehumanising language, digital abuse and policy are inextricably linked - and why interrupting this cycle is essential to a more just and peaceful society.

Info: Data & Technology: Provides quantitative and qualitative evidence of the problem. Signify's expertise in using machine learning to detect and action online abuse in sports will offer concrete, real-world solutions and statistics.

Info: Personal Testimony & Empathy: The human element grounding the academic and technical discussions. This will provide emotional weight and underscore the severe mental and professional consequences of online abuse.

Info: Policy & Cross-Cultural Solutions: Speakers from Fordham and the British American Project will discuss the problem of online hate – and, crucially, introduce possible paths forward – from a variety of professional perspectives.

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Host or Publisher Fordham University London Centre