An Open University academic who researches extremism ideologies plays a key role in a short film on the BBC\u2019s Morning Live programme that features\u00a0every-day extremism. It\u2019s part of a series of six films made\u00a0in partnership with The Open University and the BBC.<\/p>\n
Professor Kesi Mahendran (pictured) is a Professor of Social and Political Psychology at the OU and says every-day extremism is the concept that by sharing small bits of sometimes negative content online we\u2019re all contributing to hateful speech on the net.<\/p>\n
In the film, which you can watch here<\/a>, she offers her academic expertise to media personality Zara McDermott, who has experienced her fair share of online abuse.<\/p>\n It states Zara is not alone as nearly one in four adults in the UK have experienced trolling. Kesi said in the film:<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s not about meeting in the middle. You can be passionate and engaged, but the key thing is you\u2019ve crossed the line when you communicate hostility towards another person.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cI think when you are online, it can be worth pausing, reflecting on the role that you\u2019re playing in the public domain.<\/em><\/p>\n \u201cEvery-day extremism is something that impacts us all and it\u2019s also something that we all need to take responsibility for so next time you post a comment or share a viral joke, or weigh in with your opinion on a topic, remember the person who\u2019s being targeted. They probably aren\u2019t that different to you.\u201d<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The six films were commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships<\/a> and are supported by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with particular relevance to Psychology and Counselling<\/a><\/p>\n\n
\nDr Trudi Macagnino<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Eco Wins
\n<\/em>Professor Gemma Briggs<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Distracted Driving
\n<\/em>Dr Jim Turner<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Changing Your Mind
\n<\/em>Dr Sinead Eccles<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Brain Health Hacks
\n<\/em>Professor Kesi Mahendran<\/strong> \u2013 <\/span>Everyday Extremism
\n<\/em>Professor Lara Frumkin <\/strong>\u2013 <\/span>Courtroom Accents
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