ABOUT RPRN
By bringing researchers from different fields and disciplines together, this network aims to serve as a platform to disseminate research and good practice and build larger research projects with the aim of developing a sustainable network on this issue key to democracies. The network brings together scholars with an interest in reactionary politics broadly so as to break down silos and ensure a more intersectional approach around exclusionary politics such as racism, sexism, anti-LGBTQ+ politics, hostility towards migrants, and the removal of services from disabled people. The current state of polycrisis and issues such as the climate emergency and pandemic have made clear that such an intersectional approach is essential to counter the rise of authoritarian politics.
Our aims are to
- initiate and consolidate collaborations and take them to the next stage through larger funding applications with a view to make the network sustainable.
- develop training opportunities for ECRs, but also more established colleagues around the ethics and methods of researching reactionary politics in a more well-rounded, intersectional way.
- engage with activists, communities and stakeholders to help shape the agenda and provide support in their actions towards more inclusive democracies.
The RPRN aims to be inclusive and where possible will hold events in a hybrid manner to ensure the widest possible accessibility. For any questions and suggestions, please email us.
We have a strict code of conduct and we aim to put our principles in practice in our community and beyond. The terms of reference for our membership can be accessed here:
The aim of the RPRN was originally to consolidate and expand the network which has developed from the Reactionary Politics Research Group (RPRG) created at the University of Bath in October 2022. The RPRG organised a workshop in December 2023 which brought together researchers from across the South-West which developed into a successful funding application for the GW4 Building communities programme.
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While the RPRN aims to subvert hierarchies too often core to academia, we have agreed on a loose organisational system aimed at ensuring key activities are organised and members can take ownership of the network.
For operational purposes, the RPRN is organised as follows:
– a core organising committee, looks after day-to-day issues. The terms of reference can be found here:
– a membership committee for all members (bi-yearly meetings)
To date, this project has received funding from: PoLIS at the University of Bath, the GW4 and the SWDTP
