“Freedom is never free: A convoy to radicalization,” Connor MacMillan’s research receives SSHRC and PCH-SSHRC award.

Connor MacMillan’s doctoral work focuses on the rise of far-right extremism within Canada. Despite Canada’s reputation for multicultural values, the nation is not immune to far-right extremist movements. Canada is currently experiencing a rapid increase in the social and political presence and activism of far-right extremists.

Connor’s research examines the key factors that drive the radicalization of groups, individuals, and their movements. The project aims to analyze and understand the processes by which far-right groups disseminate their rhetoric and how such rhetoric fosters further radicalization. A central focus of the research is the dissemination of disinformation within online environments.

This project is funded through a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Doctoral Fellowship. Additionally, Connor was awarded the PCH-SSHRC initiative for digital citizenship research. This award, a joint initiative between the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) and SSHRC, supports research that addresses the spread of disinformation in online environments within Canada.