One of the Boys: On Researching the Far Right as a Woman

Abstract

Although the far right has become more heterogenous in recent years, it remains predominantly a male-dominated environment, and a masculinist one. Indeed, it stands out from other political milieus with its explicit commitment to traditional gender roles, misogynistic rhetoric and/or anti-feminist views. What happens then when women researchers engage in close-up research to study this male-dominated environment? While issues related to gender relations and sexism during fieldwork concern all researchers identifying and presenting as women, male-dominated milieus, such as the far right, exacerbate this phenomenon. Drawing on 17 interviews with women researchers with experience of close-up research on the far right, this article investigates the challenges they face to ensure their emotional and physical safety and highlights the lack of guidance, support, and resources from institutions.