Saint Helena Virtual Forum
The Science of Hate
Why do people commit hate crimes? Are our brains wired to hate?
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Professor Matthew Williams in conversation with Journalist David Freed
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Dr. Matthew Williams is the Director of Hate Lab, the Social Data Science Lab, and Professor of Criminology in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. One of Matt's main areas of research activity is Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Online Extremism. Drawing on twenty years of research as well as his own experience as a hate crime victim, he uncovers answers to these pressing questions of our age.
Exploring evolution and biology as well as social media and global events such as financial meltdowns, worldwide pandemics and even sporting tournaments, Williams exposes the conditions for hateful behaviour. His journey sees him talking to perpetrators and victims, delving into the murky recesses of the internet and having his brain and others scanned by neuroscientists to reveal the science behind hate.
Dr. Williams advises and has conducted research for the UK Home Office, Ministry of Justice, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, the US Department of Justice and Google, among others. Matt also directs the 'HateLab', a multimillion-pound global hub for data and insight to monitor and counter online hate speech and crime, conducting the largest dedicated study of hate victimisation in the UK.
David Freed is a former adjunct professor in the Department of Journalism and Media Communications at Colorado State University, He holds a master's degree in extension studies from Harvard University and also teaches creative writing as an instructor at Harvard Extension School.
Beginning in 1990, while writing for the Los Angeles Times, David wrote a series of articles that highlighted flaws in Los Angeles County's criminal justice system, including overcrowded county jails and poor enforcement of lesser crimes.This series made Freed a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Freed also shared the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Reporting with fellow staff writers at the newspaper for reportage on the Rodney King riots in 1992.
Freed has also written mystery-thriller novels centered on a protagonist named Cordell Logan, as well a several screenplays for Hollywood. David has done a number of interviews for the Forum and he is also a licensed and avid pilot.
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