ABOUT RPRN

RPRN convenorship – Terms of reference

The Reactionary Politics Research Network brings together researchers to study and tackle the rise of exclusionary, authoritarian and reactionary politics.

These include sexism, homophobia, transphobia, classism, ableism, racism, and ecofascism.

The RPRN is interdisciplinary and open to all methods but requires a critical approach to researching reactionary politics. Particular care is taken towards ethical engagement with such research.

As such, engagement through the RPRN (including on WhatsApp and Discord) must adhere to our principles and demands a keen awareness radical intersectionality in particular.

In practice, this means that no reactionary politics or discourse of any kind will be tolerated and any instance can be reported to RPRN@reacpol.net. While we expect there to be strong arguments, disagreements and discussions, these should always be on the basis that we are all on the same page when it comes to the struggle against interlocking structures of oppression. Of course, we can all be expected to make mistakes or have blind spots, but challenge to these should be welcomed as an opportunity to reflect and correct course. We encourage an empathetic approach to responding to honest mistakes. 

Members should always consider their positionality and how this can impact on the discussion and wider network. The aim to is make the discussion forums as accessible and welcoming as possible. With this in mind, we must continually reflect on our position but also whether our input may have an impact on others and their ability or willingness to engage.

As it grows, the network is becoming incredibly diverse, whether geographically, in terms of interest or seniority. We must therefore ensure that new members feel welcome and have an easy entry into the community (this could be through offering them to introduce themselves).

The RPRN is a community built on trust and solidarity and communications internal to the network should not be shared without express consent.

Overall, the aim is to put in practice in our community what we have set as principles for the RPRN.