Articles & Media
Tackling Hate Lab at the Royal Commission
Author: Matteo Vergani Published: 1 July 2026A/Prof Matteo Vergani appeared as an expert witness at the Royal Commission on Antisemitism and Social Cohesion on 30 June 2026. Drawing on new Tackling Hate Lab research, he presented evidence of sharp increases in anti Jewish and anti Muslim hate online after 7 October 2023, and outlined evidence based interventions to address it.
New study of 2 million online posts shows persistent anti‑Jew and anti‑Muslim hate in Australia
Author: Matteo Vergani, Andrea Giovannetti, Kewen Liao Published: 30 June 2026The co-directors of the Tackling Hate Lab have launched two new reports alongside an article published in The Conversation. Australia has spent much of the past two years responding to anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate as separate problems. Our latest research suggests they have something important in common.
This man went viral after surviving Bondi. Then the internet took a dark turn
Author: Josh Robertson and Maddison Connaughton Published: 28 March 2026The article, and associated podcast series, examine how Arsen Ostrovsky survived the Bondi attack and became a viral symbol after sharing an image of his injuries. The Tackling Hate Lab provided key data and evidence to support the investigation.
Female workers targeted in second alleged Islamophobic attack in Ballarat
Author: Zain Nabi and Charlotte Wilkes Published: 19 March 2026"We know there is a substantial part of the population that sees the Muslim population with suspicion," Mr Vergani said. "On top of this there are political parties and far-right organisations and groups accusing Muslims of being part of an unregulated flow of immigration, which [they claim] is threatening the culture and identity of Australia."
The antisemitism debate is already a political minefield. The royal commission must rise above it
Author: Matteo Vergani Published: 12 January 2026Fragmented data clouds antisemitism in Australia; a royal commission could clarify causes, but risks deepening division in a volatile climate.
The special envoy’s report doesn’t hold all the answers for defeating antisemitism
Author: Matteo Vergani Published: 18 December 2025Segal’s antisemitism plan offers useful coordination and education ideas, but avoids core disputes and cannot, alone, prevent violence after Bondi.
Bondi attack came after huge increase in online antisemitism
Author: Matteo Vergani Published: 15 December 2025Conversation article by A/Prof Vergani. Analysis of Bondi terrorist attack, rising antisemitism in Australia, and limits of prevention beyond law enforcement.
'Ambition gap': Why most people believe they'd step in to stop hate - but don't
Author: Nicolas Zoumboulis Published: 15 September 2025Dr Haily Tran, interviewed by SBS' Nicolas Zoumboulis, discusses what how to intervene when we witness hate.
The special envoy’s antisemitism plan is ambitious, but fails to reckon with the hardest questions
Author: Matteo Vergani Published: July 10, 2025Read this Conversation article by A/Prof Vergani. The article discusses the special envoy’s antisemitism plan and argues that it ignores the elephant in the room: whether the plan could be used to silence legitimate criticism of Israel.
Causes and consequences: Do we all have the capacity for hatred?
Author: Nicolas Zoumboulis Published: 14 July, 2025A/Prof Vergani, interviewed by SBS' Nicolas Zoumboulis, discusses what hate is and its consequences for society.