Funded between 2016 and 2019, this project will investigate the utility of Twitter data for understanding what types, for whom, and where online hate speech acts a ‘signature’ of offline hate crime. The study will develop a statistical model that links anonymous aggregate online hate speech and offline hate crimes, using tweets and reported hate crimes in Los Angeles County and London as test cases.
This project will allow victim service providers to become aware of changing trends in online hate sentiment in their areas, facilitating early prevention efforts and provision of services to victims.