Dr Julia Ebner is an inspiring speaker whose groundbreaking research and undercover journalism illuminate how extremist ideologies infiltrate societies and how resilience, critical thinking and trust can fortify democracies. Her work redefines the fight against misinformation and ideological polarisation in an age of digital complexity.
A dual-trained social scientist, Julia earned her DPhil in Anthropology from Oxford, along with master’s degrees from Peking University and the London School of Economics. She leads the Violent Extremism Lab at Oxford’s Social Cohesion Centre and serves as Co-Executive Director at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue. Through immersive investigations under multiple identities, she has directly engaged with extremist networks, gathering insights unmatched in both impact and bravery.
Julia is the internationally bestselling author of three award-winning books: The Rage, Going Dark and Going Mainstream. She brings that same depth of insight to her speaking, distilling intricate threats into compelling lessons on safeguarding institutions, communities and mental resilience in uncertain times.
As a speaker, Julia is uniquely powerful. She blends authority with urgency, evidence with empathy. Whether discussing AI-driven disinformation campaigns or restoring trust amid social fragmentation, her presentations leave audiences not just informed but motivated to act with vigilance, resilience and a commitment to preserving democratic ideals.
