In our first episode we explore the social complexities of "covert" or "hidden" modes of hate speech in multicultural societies. We feature Associate Prof. Katerina Strani from the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, who discusses how linguistic strategies of “othering” foster societal divisions and violence against minorities and marginalised groups.

Dr Katerina Strani leads the Migration theme at the Heriot-Watt University’s Intercultural Research Centre, and was a Visiting Professor at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań from 2021 to 2022. 

With a background in Languages in Politics, Katerina has published papers on intercultural dialogue, racism and hate speech, language and heritage, as well as an edited volume on Multilingualism and Politics. Katerina has led EU-funded projects on racism and discrimination, and two language and culture apps, for newly arrived migrants and refugees, and for endangered languages. She is currently leading a project on online hate speech against Ukrainians funded by the British Academy (2023-2025).

Staff Profile Dr. Katerina Strani, Heriot-Watt University: https://researchportal.hw.ac.uk/en/persons/katerina-strani

Twitter Dr. Katerina Strani: https://twitter.com/KaterinaStrani