Comparative Data Analysis in Political Aesthetic Strategies: The Persuasive Propaganda of the Italian Populist Right on Facebook and Twitter

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AHRC: Erica Capecchi : AH/R012776/1The research that I will develop during the Globalink exchange scheme informs a central part of my doctoral project which interrogates and explores the high levels of support achieved by far-right populist parties through an analysis of aesthetic and rhetorical strategies developed by these organisations in terms of their political communication. A particular focus in this work is placed on social media platforms and the crucial role that these communication technologies play in today's society as battlegrounds of the current socio-political debate. My doctoral research uses an aesthetic approach to analyse the complexities of today's radical right movements and their communication on popular social media channels, especially Facebook and Twitter. I am looking at the potential of far-right communication on social media to influence both online and offline public debate through the manipulation of visuals and language aimed at creating forms of emotional engagement and addressing social behaviours to mobilise followers and supporters.During my visit to Lakehead University, I will collect and analyse essential data drawn from Facebook and Twitter pages of far-right actors that will connect to my arguments around the interpretation of the social, political and cultural basis of support for far-right populist organisations. The main focus is on Italy, which is considered an interesting and under-researched example of the rise of far-right populist organisations in the last decade from the margins to the mainstream. By focusing on social media communication, my project brings together traditional research methodologies in the arts and humanities with social media theory and data analysis in order to develop an interdisciplinary approach to the investigation of today societies' issues and challenges from a multifaceted and innovative perspective.My research will be supervised by Professor Vijay Mago (Computer Science) and researchers of DaTALab at Lakehead University. During this placement, I hope to gain fundamental skills in data mining and data analysis that will allow me to understand the process for the development of accurate social media investigations as applied to the interpretation of complex political issues of today's society. I will develop a set of unique research skills that will contribute to expanding my area of expertise as a researcher and enhance my career development as an academic and professional within an international and cross-cultural environment.