Introduction
Lisa McInerney in her PhD research utilises innovative tools and techniques to detect and gather large volumes of radical jihadist content on the Internet, employing network analysis techniques to identify key actors in the dissemination of violent radical content. A second strand of this research involves the use of sentiment analysis techniques to detect changes in online behaviour as a function of interactivity with extremists, shedding light on patterns of social influence, diffusion and contagion processes in jihadist circles. The aims of this research include evidencing the question of radicalisation via the Internet, underpinned by empirical analysis of large volumes of data. Funded by an IRCHSS Government of Ireland Scholarship, this research, builds upon Lisa's MA dissertation research entitled Virtual Theatre of Terror: Spotlight on the Audience, which focused on the audience of jihad-promoting video content on YouTube, in the context of Iraq.
Research Activity
The increased online presence of jihadists has raised the possibility of individuals being radicalised via the Internet. To date, the study of violent radicalisation has focused on dedicated jihadist websites and forums. This may not be the ideal starting point for such research, as participants in these venues may be described as 'already made-up minds'. Explorations of social networking platforms, such as YouTube, on the other hand, have the potential to unearth content and interaction aimed at radicalisation of those with little or no apparent prior interest in violent jihadism. My PhD research, tentatively entitled 'Virtual Networks of Terror', is a large-scale longitudinal study employing network analysis and sentiment analysis techniques to evidence the diffusion and adoption of radical sentiment as a function of online interactivity patterns.
Publications
Bermingham, Adam and Conway, Maura and McInerney, Lisa and O'Hare, Neil and Smeaton, Alan F. (2009). 'Combining social network analysis and sentiment analysis to explore the potential for online radicalisation'. In: ASONAM 2009 - Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining, 20-22 July, 2009, Athens, Greece. --> Full paper
Conway, M., McInerney, L. (2008). 'Jihadi Video and Auto-radicalisation: Evidence from an Exploratory YouTube Study.' In D. Ortiz-Arroyo et al. (eds.) 'Intelligence and Security Informatics', LNCS 5376, 108-118. Berlin/Heidelberg, Germany: Springer. --> Full paper
Conferences, Presentations and Lectures
McInerney, L. (2010, May 20-21). 'Measuring Online Behaviour: A Role for Network Analysis?' 3rd Annual Political Networks Conference, Duke University. [Fellowship stipend awarded from NSF grant SES-0851084]
McInerney, L. (2010, February 17-20). ''Connectors, Mavens and Salesmen'? Uncovering Key Players in Virtual Jihad'. International Studies Association Annual Convention, New Orleans. [Travel grant awarded by the International Studies Association]
Conway, M., McInerney, L. (2009, September 14). 'Measuring Online Behaviour: A Toolkit for Measuring Online Radicalisation'. Measuring Online Behaviour: Web Metrics and Political Behaviour Workshop, Royal Holloway University of London.
Bermingham, A., Conway, M., McInerney, .L., O'Hare, N., Smeaton, A. (2009, July 20-22). 'Combining Social Network Analysis and Sentiment Analysis to Explore the Potential for Online Radicalisation'. ASONAM (Advances in Social Networks Analysis and Mining) '09, Athens, Greece.
Conway, M., McInerney, L. (2009, June 11-12). 'Connecting the Dots: In Defence of Data-Driven Terrorism Research'. European Datawars: Fighting Terrorism Through Data, University of Amsterdam.
McInerney, L. (2009, February 15-18). 'The Iraq War 'YouTube Style': Mobilising en Masse?' International Studies Association Annual Convention, New York. [Travel grant awarded by the International Studies Association]
Conway, M., McInerney, L. (2008, December 3-5). 'Jihadi Video and Auto-radicalisation: Evidence from an Exploratory YouTube Study'. EuroISI, Esbjerg, Denmark.
McInerney, L. (2008, November 18). 'Iraq's Martyrs, Web 2.0 and Auto-Radicalisation'. Lecture at the Department of Geography, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
McInerney, L. (2008, August 25-27). 'Iraq's Martyrs: Mapping the Support Network on YouTube'. European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR), 2nd Graduate Conference, Universitat Autonòma de Barcelona.
McInerney, L. (2008, April 25-26) 'Web Clash 2.0 on YouTube: Where Hate Groups Encounter Jihad'. Political Studies Association of Ireland (PSAI), Postgraduate Conference, University College Dublin.
Conway, M., McInerney, L. (2008, April 17-18). ''Broadcast Yourself': A History and Categorisation of Terrorist Video Propaganda'. Politics: Web 2.0: An International Conference, New Political Communication Unit, Royal Holloway University of London.
McInerney, L. (2008, January 26). 'Critical Responses to Virtual Jihad: Revival of the Dozens?' Irish Association for American Studies (IAAS) Postgraduate Symposium, Clinton Institute for American Studies, University College Dublin.
McInerney, L. (2007, November 22). 'Virtual Theatre of Terror: Spotlight on the Audience: an analysis of the supporters of jihad-promoting video content on YouTube'. MA dissertation presented at the Graduate Research Seminar in International Relations, Royal Irish Academy.
McInerney, L. (2007, May 18). 'Virtual Theatre of Terror: Spotlight on the Audience'. A work-in-progress paper presented at the Communication Technologies of Empowerment conference, Institute of Communications Studies, University of Leeds. [Travel grant awarded by the Political Studies Association of Ireland (PSAI) following nomination by the School of Law and Government, Dublin City University.]
McInerney, L. (2007, April 27-28). 'Virtual Theatre of Terror: Spotlight on the Audience'. A work-in-progress paper presented at the Political Studies Association of Ireland Postgraduate Conference, Trinity College, University of Dublin.
McInerney, L. (2007, April 17). 'Virtual Theatre of Terror'. Lecture at the Department of Geography, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick.
Contact
Lisa McInerney
School of Law and Government
Dublin City University
Glasnevin
Dublin 9
Ireland
{lisa dot mcinerney} at dcu dot ie