Woolf Institute

Introduction This article investigates the linguistic and computational challenges of detecting antisemitism in digital communication, integrating discourse-analytical and artificial intelligence (AI) perspectives. It conceptualizes antisemitic discourse as a continuum ranging from explicit incitement to implicit, coded expressions whose interpretation depends on contextual, cultural, and pragmatic knowledge. Methods The study draws on empirical case studies from the Decoding Antisemitism project, analyzing YouTube reactions to two events: the Hamas terror attack of 7 October 2023 and the antisemitic double murder in Washington, D.C., in May 2025. Qualitative discourse analysis is combined with computational considerations related to annotation practices and model design for automated detection. Results The analysis shows that antisemitic discourse has become normalized in mainstream digital spaces. Reactions to 7 October were characterized by open glorification of violence, whereas responses to the Washington case centered on denial, irony, and the inversion of victimhood. Together, these cases illustrate both the normalization and diversification of antisemitic communication online. Discussion Building on these findings, the article discusses methodological and computational implications for antisemitism detection. It highlights challenges such as semantic ambiguity, pragmatic drift, multimodal signaling, and data scarcity, and evaluates emerging computational approaches, including transformer-based fine-tuning, retrieval-augmented systems, and context-engineered large language models (LLMs). The study concludes that effectively confronting digital antisemitism requires sustained collaboration between linguists, data scientists, and policymakers to develop context-sensitive, transparent, and ethically grounded AI systems capable of reliable interpretive reasoning.

ABSTRACT This article presents findings from a 2022–23 research project that (a) measured how UK STEM students’ attitudes and behaviours in relation to their religious or non-religious beliefs changed during one academic year in comparison to US STEM students and (b) pinpointed the different aspects of UK and US university life that were influential on this change. Statistical analysis of survey data representing 400 UK and 2,191 US STEM students reveals that in both national contexts, students are re-evaluating their belief commitments during one academic year, albeit in different ways depending on the scientific discipline being studied. Among UK STEM students, informal interfaith engagement, experiencing insensitivity on campus and citing philosophical tradition as a major influence on worldview are identified as key predictors of growth in belief development. Self-identifying as non-religious and experiencing worldview-related coercion or pressure on campus are associated with decline. In light of this, we present these predictors of change in relation to those experienced by US STEM students and discuss pedagogical implications for the UK and US STEM educational contexts.

ABSTRACT The landscape of mental health services for Muslim communities in England and Wales remains fragmented with many Muslims unsure how to access services that accommodate their religious beliefs and practices. This article reports findings from a pilot study of mental health services and Muslim communities in England and Wales. It explores the role of Muslim mental health organisations, charities, therapists, counsellors, faith leaders and community groups in supporting the communities they serve. The study’s aim was to establish a larger project to identify and amplify best practice across mainstream and non-mainstream mental health services in relation to improving provision for Muslim communities. Focus group data from key informants was analysed using grounded theory. Four analytical themes emerged from the analysis: “Knowledge gaps”, “Policy gaps”, “Working together” and “Moving forward”. Based on this, the authors argue for an asset-based approach to building collaborative partnerships between Muslim communities and mental health providers.

Phishing for Nazis is an evidence-based, undercover study of neo-Nazi communities on anonymous communication platforms that helps to shine a light on the dark web. It unveils how hatred and conspiracies spread and thrive online and how white supremacy is becoming prominent as extremists find shelter in the online dank underbelly of society. Phishing for Nazis explains how online manifestations of hate radicalize people into taking “real-world” action, such as shooting sprees. Methodologically, this book is unique, as it incorporates undercover cyberethnography, a method frequently used by law enforcement and intelligence agencies, unlike traditional academic studies of racism or social behavior that rely on secondary sources or surveys. With a particular interest on how race issues translate online, the book presents the true phenomenon of racism without relying on political correctness or whitewashing. It contributes to the field of cyber communication, as it details why and how people communicate and manage entire communities without knowing one another. The book also contributes to public policy, regulators, and technology companies as they deal with the practice of online anonymity and extremism.

Myers offers an educational intervention that invites development of representations in response to difference. Presenting a new framework for examining controversy between worldviews and a method for creating space for difference, the book brings this into dialogue with education and research, conflict resolution and religion.

Religious Freedom and the Law: Emerging Contexts for Law and Religion Edited by Brett G Scharffs, Asher Maoz and Ashley Isaacson Routledge, Abingdon, 2018, pp xiv + 229 (hardback £120) ISBN: 978-1-1385-5578-5 - Volume 22 Issue 3