Julia Ebner

Julia Ebner is an Austrian researcher, author, and leading expert in extremism and radicalisation studies, based in London and Oxford. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, she developed an early interest in extremism during her academic career. Her educational background is extensive and international, completing her undergraduate studies with both a BA in Philosophy and a BSc in International Business. She went on to earn dual master’s degrees: an MSc in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and an MSc in International Relations from Peking University. Most recently, she completed her DPhil (doctorate) in Anthropology at the University of Oxford as a fully funded ESRC DTP Scholar and St John’s College Alumni Fund Scholar.

Ebner’s professional career began at the Quilliam Foundation, a counter-extremism think tank in London, where she worked as a senior researcher from 2015 to 2017. She then joined the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) as a Senior Research Fellow, where she specialises in far-right extremism, reciprocal radicalisation, conspiracy myths, and terrorism prevention. Currently, she holds several prestigious positions, including Senior Research Fellow at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, Postdoctoral Researcher at the Calleva Centre for Evolution and Human Sciences at Oxford University’s Magdalen College, Leader of the Violent Extremism Lab at the University of Oxford, and Research Affiliate at the Centre for the Study of Social Cohesion.

What sets Ebner apart in her field is her unique approach to research, particularly her daring undercover investigations into extremist groups. She has infiltrated both far-right and Islamist extremist organisations to gather unprecedented insights into their inner workings, recruitment strategies, and ideological foundations. This firsthand experience has informed her analysis and recommendations, providing a depth of understanding that few researchers can match.

Throughout her career, Ebner has published three influential books. Her first book, “The Rage: The Vicious Circle of Islamist and Far-Right Extremism” (2017), won the 2018 Bruno Kreisky Award for Political Book of the Year. Her second book, “Going Dark: The Secret Social Lives of Extremists” (2020), became an international bestseller, was translated into seven languages, and won both the Science Book of the Year 2020 award and the Dr Caspar Einem Prize. Her latest work, “Going Mainstream: How Extremists Are Taking Over” was published in 2023.

In addition to her research and writing, Ebner serves as a consultant and advisor to various organisations. She has acted as a Special Advisor on Terrorism Prevention for the United Nations, given evidence to parliamentary working groups, and advised intelligence agencies and tech companies. She is also a regular contributor to major media outlets including The Guardian, The Independent, and The Washington Post. Her academic work has gained recognition, as evidenced by her being a finalist for both the ESRC Impact Prize 2023 and the MRS President’s Medal 2023. Throughout her career, Ebner has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to understanding and countering extremism while bridging the gap between academic research and practical policy recommendations.