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Prof. Dr. Ralph Schroeder

Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

Ralph Schroeder

Online right-wing populism: the case of the 2017 German election

The Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has risen rapidly and is expected to reach the threshold for entering the parliament in the September election. The aim of this project is to examine how the AfD uses social media in the election, against the background of the finding that social media like Facebook have given a disproportionate advantage to smaller and challenger parties. Another focus of the study is whether the party leadership presents a more moderate position in order to appeal to broader voters support compared to the grassroots party members who have a more extreme position. The aim is to locate the AfD’s political communication position within a broader picture of how populist parties use media.

Main Research Topics

  • populism
  • right wing
  • elections
  • media
  • Facebook

Curriculum Vitae

  • 2010 Professor of Social Science of the Internet, University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute, UK
  • 2009 – 2016: Senior Research Fellow, M.Sc. Programe Director, Director of Research, University of Oxford
  • 2006 – 2009: James Martin Research Fellow, University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute, UK
  • 2004 – 2006: Research Fellow, University of Oxford, Oxford Internet Institute, UK
  • 1998 – 2004: Professor of Technology and Society, Chalmers University, School of Technology Management and Economics, Sweden

Publications

  • Schroeder, R. (2017, September). Populism Online: Digital Media and the Rise of Right Wing Politics, ECPR General Conference 2017, Oslo.

Prof. Dr. Ralph Schroeder

Oxford Internet Institute, University of Oxford

Fellow am CAIS von August bis September 2017