INHS 2024 Conference: “Dynamics of Hate” – A Comprehensive Exploration of Interdisciplinary Solutions

On 29th May 2025 by Mark Walters in Uncategorized

By Hanlie van Wyk (University of South Africa PhD candidate in Hate Studies and member of the conference organising committee)

The International Network for Hate Studies (INHS) Biennial Conference 2024, themed “Dynamics of Hate: Examining Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” marked a significant milestone as it convened in Cape Town, South Africa, from November 25–27, 2024. Co-hosted by the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), this was the first INHS conference held in the Southern Hemisphere, signaling a deliberate expansion of the network’s global reach and a commitment to engaging with the unique challenges and histories of the Global South. The conference brought together over 120 scholars, activists, policymakers, and practitioners from more than 30 countries to confront the global crisis of hate. The event’s interdisciplinary approach was evident in its programme, which featured plenary panels, keynote addresses, roundtables, documentary screenings, and paper presentations spanning topics from online hate to the role of law enforcement in hate crime response.

Core Themes and Interdisciplinary Insights

The conference’s theme, “Dynamics of Hate: Examining Interdisciplinary Perspectives,” emphasised the need to move beyond siloed approaches. Sessions spanned psychology, law, criminology, education, technology, and activism, revealing how hate manifests across systems and identities. The conference covered a wide array of topics within hate studies, including online hate, hate crimes, xenophobia, LGBTQI+ issues, misogyny, and extremism, examined from various disciplinary and international perspectives. A significant portion of the programme focused on the South African context, addressing legislation, experiences, and interventions related to hate and discrimination. We share an overview of the highlights here. To review the full programme, follow this link. The event aimed to foster understanding, collaboration, and the development of strategies to combat hate globally.

1. Global and Southern Perspectives on Hate Studies

One of the key highlights was the focus on Global South perspectives. The choice of Cape Town as the host city underscored INHS’s commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices. The opening plenary, led by Professors Barbara Perry, Garth Stevens, and Mark Walters, set the tone by reflecting on the evolution of hate studies and the INHS’s role in fostering a global community. Professors Barb Perry and Mark Walters reflected on the INHS’s remarkable development over the past decade, highlighting how the organisation has fostered international collaboration, built a global community of scholars, practitioners, and policymakers, and advanced the field of hate studies by connecting diverse voices from both the Global North and South to address the complex and evolving challenges of hate worldwide. Prof. Stevens, in particular, emphasised the importance of contextualising hate studies within the histories of colonisation, systemic oppression, and ongoing violence in the Global South. He challenged the field to connect with anti-oppressive frameworks and interdisciplinary fields like affect theory and the psychology of difference, urging scholars to consider how hate is embedded in complex social systems. Stevens urged scholars to integrate Southern epistemologies, such as Ubuntu—into hate studies frameworks, arguing that solutions must address both structural violence and communal resilience.

2. The Role of Institutions and Bystanders

The role of institutions was another recurring theme throughout the conference. Presenters critiqued higher education institutions for perpetuating exclusionary practices and discussed how law enforcement can sometimes exacerbate harm rather than mitigate it. Prof. Dennis Francis (University of Glasgow) explored how universities remain sites of cisheteronormativity that marginalise LGBTQ+ students, while Prof. Timothy Bryan examined the challenges of relying on police to address hate crimes given their history of oppressing marginalised communities.

Dr. Angela Higginson’s research on bystander (in)action in hate incidents, based on the Australian Youth Safety Survey, revealed that bystanders often fail to intervene or even exacerbate harm, highlighting the need for more effective interventions and education. Dr. Higginson presented data showing that bystanders intervene in only 20% of cases due to fear or uncertainty about how to act. Training programmes like the 5Ds of Intervention (Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, Direct) were discussed as effective tools for empowering individuals to take action safely.

3. Online Hate and Its Real-World Impacts

Digital hate emerged as an urgent focus area during discussions. The NETHATE panel brought together leading European researchers to discuss the proliferation of online hate and its intersection with offline hate crimes. Prof. Heidi Vandebosch advocated for an interdisciplinary approach to understanding and addressing online hate, integrating legal, technological, and social perspectives. Prof. Pekka Räsänen’s study found a strong correlation between adolescents’ engagement in online hate speech and offline hate crimes, particularly among those with intolerant attitudes, underscoring the urgent need for targeted prevention strategies. Researchers also highlighted how social media algorithms amplify divisive content, creating echo chambers that normalise extremism. Proposed solutions included stricter platform regulations and digital literacy programs aimed at empowering users to counter online hate effectively.

4. Marginalised Communities and Access to Justice

The conference also showcased frontline efforts to combat hate through grassroots activism and community engagement. Educational initiatives focused on anti-bias curricula for schools to foster empathy and critical thinking among youth. Art was highlighted as a powerful medium for resistance; a photography exhibit titled “Faces of Resilience” documented survivors of hate crimes from Brazil, India, and Kenya alongside narratives of healing.

Prof. Amanda Haynes presented findings from the Irish Travellers Access to Justice Project, which documented the systemic degradation and stigmatisation of the minoritised Irish Traveller community by law enforcement and the judiciary. This research illuminated the broader dynamics of power, status, and inequality that shape encounters with the criminal justice system for marginalised groups. Legal advocacy played a significant role in discussions as well. Lawyers shared strategies for challenging discriminatory laws through strategic litigation while community organisations emphasised restorative justice approaches as alternatives to punitive systems.

Critical Debates and Future Directions

The closing plenary sparked lively debate about the future of hate studies. Scholars stressed that intersectionality must be central to research and interventions since individuals often face overlapping forms of discrimination based on race, gender, sexuality, religion, and other identities. There were calls for greater collaboration between researchers in the Global North and South to expand funding opportunities and decentralise knowledge production. Another major takeaway was the need for research findings to translate into actionable policies and community programmes. Participants proposed policy toolkits for governments alongside partnerships with tech companies to combat online hate effectively.

Looking Ahead: A Call to Action

As hate continues to manifest in new and complex ways—both online and offline—the need for interdisciplinary, globally informed research and action has never been greater. The fight against hate demands sustained collective effort across academia, policymaking, activism, and public engagement.

As Prof. Mark Walters concluded during his keynote address: “Hate is not inevitable. It is a choice—and so is justice.”

Academics were urged to prioritise participatory research that centres affected communities, while policymakers were encouraged to invest in training programmes for law enforcement and fund community-based prevention initiatives. The public was called upon to challenge everyday bigotry while supporting organisations combating hate worldwide.

The INHS 2024 Conference fulfilled the organisation’s goal of fostering dialogue among academics, activists, and policymakers, and was transformative in two key ways: it encouraged holistic approaches to addressing hate, and it emphasised the importance of tackling the emotional, institutional, and systemic dimensions of hate.

The conference stood out for its commitment to amplifying voices from the Global South and for its nuanced, interdisciplinary exploration of hate in its many forms. By bridging academic research with policy and practice, the conference fostered a collaborative environment aimed at developing actionable solutions to hate and hostility worldwide. This conference not only advanced the field of hate studies but also modeled the kind of inclusive, critical engagement necessary to build more just and resilient societies.

For further information about this event, readers can explore the INHS 2024 Conference Programme or review the INHS Abstract Book, which provides detailed summaries of research presented at the conference.