New Research Project on Handling Communicative Violence Online

(May 6, 2024) The threat of communicative violence online runs through all segments of society: Potentially, anyone can become a target of hate speech, trolling, or cyberstalking, which can carry severe consequences for those affected. In a new three-year research project led by Prof. Dr. Nina Springer and assisted by Hannah Ötting M.A., M.Sc., one of the primary questions being addressed is how individuals can be pedagogically prepared to handle communicative violence online.

Hate speech, trolling, or cyberstalking – these and other forms of communicative digital violence are now pervasive across society on the internet and can make us all feel less safe online. As a possible consequence, the pool of people available for public offices and professions becomes smaller and less diverse. Therefore, it is particularly important for young adults to be educationally prepared to handle communicative violence before they enter their professional careers. A new research project at the Department of Communication is now investigating what support structures are available societally and how young adults need to be pedagogically prepared to deal with potential damage.

Specifically, during the project's duration, a literature review will gather and systematize existing research and knowledge in the field. Interviews with affected individuals will explore and evaluate which resources are available and still needed to address communicative violence. Based on this, freely accessible educational materials will be created, developed in collaboration with professional practitioners, and tested with students. The resulting learning materials are based on media education models and serve to prevent and address communicative violence online.

The research project is underpinned by an interdisciplinary theoretical framework: the concept of nonviolent communication is combined with transactional stress and coping theory and analysis techniques from management/business studies. This approach will generate a comprehensive understanding of the topic, facilitating knowledge diffusion across various sectors of society such as politics, economy, media, or sports. This is particularly significant as there has been relatively little interdisciplinary work on the subject so far.

The project is led by Nina Springer and managed by Hannah Ötting. It is funded by the German Foundation for Peace Research with a grant of €150,000 and began on May 1, 2024. The duration of the research project is three years.

Contact person public relations:
Dr. Stephan Völlmicke
Telefon: +49 251 83-23006
Telefax: +49 251 83-21310 (Geschäftszimmer IfK)