Neil Chakraborti
Director, Centre for Hate Studies and Professor in Criminology
Professor Neil Chakraborti has extensively researched hate crime, targeted hostility and violence against minorities. He has authored seven books and has more than 50 peer reviewed publications. His numerous research projects over the past two decades have led to a better understanding of hate crime victims, perpetrators and criminal justice policy.
Evidence from around the world suggests that hate incidents have escalated since the outbreak of COVID-19, with increasing numbers of people lashing out against particular communities who they believe are to blame for the outbreak, or who are perceived to pose a threat to safety. Much of this hostility has been directed towards visible minorities and has taken place online, as access to public spaces has been reduced. As the pandemic continues to develop, hostilities and hatred are likely to be fueled by an increased sense of fear, mistrust and misinformation, and by rising levels of nationalism and xenophobia.
The catalytic power of this Summit in bringing together those who are devoting their lives to pushing back and working to confront, understand and work towards solutions around hate in our society is a noble and difficult task. The Summit not only energized those who attended but led to connecting the dots in a global network of those doing this work. The stories of the victims of hate were painful to witness but their courage in coming forward was inspirational. Those who attended left energized with the hope that by working together solutions can be forged.
