Biography
I am an Associate Professor at Deakin University, leading research at the intersection of online and real-world hateful behaviours, from micro-aggressions to hate crime and extremist violence. Utilising interdisciplinary approaches and innovative methodologies, my work is centred on developing new measurement tools and building cumulative and comparative knowledge through systematic reviews and rigorous empirical research. I engage in regular collaboration with national and international institutions such as the Australian Human Rights Commission, Victorian Equal Opportunities and Human Rights Commissions, NSW and Victorian Governments, Public Safety Canada, and the Australian Department of Home Affairs, focusing on issues of extremism and hate. I have experience in conducting impact evaluations of projects aimed at mitigating online hate, hate crime, and violent extremism.
Read more on Matteo's profileResearch interests
I am interested in exploring the spectrum of hate-driven behaviours, from daily micro-aggressions to terrorism and genocide. My research primarily focuses on hate against various groups such as religious, ethnic, racial, LGBTIQ+, and disabled communities, employing interdisciplinary approaches to develop new measurement tools and expand knowledge through systematic reviews and empirical research.
Publications
F Mansouri, M Vergani, E Weng
(2024), pp. 1-21, Journal of Sociology, London, Eng., C1
A Bouguettaya, M Vergani, C Sainsbury, A Bliuc
(2023), Vol. 18, pp. e0280557-, PloS one, United States, C1
M Vergani, T Diallo, K O’Brien
(2023), pp. 1-18, Terrorism & Political Violence, London, Eng., C1
Asian Australian's Experiences and Reporting of Racism During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Kamp, R Sharples, M Vergani, N Denson
(2023), pp. 1-21, Journal of Intercultural Studies, London, Eng., C1
Samantha Kruber, Yenny Wahid, Matteo Vergani, Greg Barton
(2022), pp. 295-308, Countering violent and hateful extremism in Indonesia : Islam, gender and civil society, Berlin, Germany, B1
Disengagement, Deradicalisation, and Rehabilitation
Greg Barton, Matteo Vergani
(2022), pp. 63-82, Countering Violent and Hateful Extremism in Indonesia: Islam, Gender and Civil Society, Berlin, Germany, B1
Greg Barton, Matteo Vergani, Yenny Wahid
(2022), pp. 3-28, Countering violent and hateful extremism in Indonesia : Islam, gender and civil society, Singapore, B1
Matteo Vergani, Thierno Diallo, Fethi Mansouri, Kevin Dunn, Rachel Sharples, Yin Paradies, Amanuel Elias
(2022), pp. 1-21, Terrorism and Political Violence, London, Eng., C1
Matteo Vergani, Barbara Perry, Joshua Freilich, Steven Chermak, Ryan Scrivens, Rouven Link
(2022), Vol. 18, pp. 1-16, The Campbell Collaboration Library of Systematic Reviews, Chichester, Eng., C1
Terrorism concern and persistence of negative attitudes towards Islam and Muslims
Matteo Vergani, Fethi Mansouri, Liliana Orellana
(2022), pp. 1-18, Journal of Community and Applied Social Psychology, Chichester, Eng., C1
The effectiveness of ethno-specific and mainstream health services: an evidence gap map
Matteo Vergani, Fethi Mansouri, Enqi Weng, Praveena Rajkobal
(2022), Vol. 22, pp. 1-10, BMC Health Services Research, London, Eng., C1
Hate Speech in a Telegram Conspiracy Channel During the First Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic
M Vergani, A Martinez Arranz, R Scrivens, L Orellana
(2022), Vol. 8, pp. 1-14, Social Media and Society, London, Eng., C1
The Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness in Australia Survey
Steven Cooke, Donna-Lee Frieze, Andrew Singleton, Matteo Vergani
(2022), Geelong, Vic., A6
Asian Australians' Experiences of Racism during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy Evidence Summary
Alanna Kamp, Nida Denson, Rosalie Atie, Kevin Dunn, Rachel Sharples, Matteo Vergani, Jessica Walton, Susan Sisko
(2022), Melbourne, Vic., A6
Defining and identifying hate motives: bias indicators for the Australian context
Matteo Vergani, Angelique Stefanopoulos, Alexandra Lee, Haily Tran, Imogen Richards, Dan Goodhardt, Greg Barton
(2022), Geelong, Vic., A6
Examining the Relationship Between Alienation and Radicalization into Violent Extremism
Matteo Vergani, Muhammad Iqbal, Kerry O'Brien, Peter Lentini, Greg Barton
(2021), pp. 115-138, Islam and Security in the West, London, Eng., B1
Understanding Violent Extremism in Indonesia
Matteo Vergani, Greg Barton, Yenny Wahid
(2021), pp. 29-62, New Security Challenges, Singapore, B1
Dan Goodhardt, Matteo Vergani, Greg Barton, Samantha Kruber
(2021), pp. 279-294, New Security Challenges, Singapore, B1
Comparing Different Sources of Data to Examine Trends of Hate Crime in Absence of Official Registers
M Vergani, C Navarro, J Freilich, S Chermak
(2021), Vol. 46, pp. 445-460, American Journal of Criminal Justice, C1
Bonding Social Capital, Afghan Refugees, and Early Access to Employment
M Vergani, I Yilmaz, G Barton, J Barry, G Bashirov, S Barton
(2021), Vol. 55, pp. 1152-1168, International Migration Review, C1
I Richards, M Rae, M Vergani, C Jones
(2021), Vol. 163, pp. 103-130, Thesis Eleven, C1
Hate Crime Reporting: The Relationship Between Types of Barriers and Perceived Severity
M Vergani, C Navarro
(2021), European Journal on Criminal Policy and Research, C1
G Barton, M Vergani, Y Wahid
(2021), Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, C1
M Vergani, D Goodhardt, R Link, A Adamczyk, J Freilich, S Chermak
(2021), Deviant Behavior, C1
T Neale, M Vergani, C Begg, M Kilinc, M Wouters, S Harris
(2021), Vol. 30, pp. 946-953, International Journal of Wildland Fire, Melbourne, Vic., C1
M Vergani, R Link
(2021), Social Policy and Society, C1
Community-centered P/CVE Research in Southeast Asia: Opportunities and Challenges
Matteo Vergani
(2021), pp. 1-18, Researching Violent Extremism Series, Washington, D.C, A6
Countering Islamophobia in the Victorian population
Kevin Dunn, Rachel Sharples, Fethi Mansouri, Yin Paradies, Matteo Vergani, Craig McGarty, Amanuel Elias
(2021), Vol. 2, pp. 1-10, CRIS issues papers, Geelong, Vic., A6
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on delivery of services to CALD communities in Australia
Enqi Weng, Fethi Mansouri, Matteo Vergani
(2021), Geelong, Vic., A6
Asian Australians' experiences of racism during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Alanna Kamp, Nida Denson, Rosalie Atie, Kevin Dunn, Rachel Sharples, Matteo Vergani, Jessica Walton, Susan Sisko
(2021), Geelong, Vic., A6
Submission to Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
Michele Grossman, Mark Duckworth, Greg Barton, Vivian Gerrand, Matteo Vergani, Mario Peucker, Hass Dellal, Jacob Davey
(2021), Melbourne, Vic., A6
Countering Violent and Hateful Extremism in Indonesia: Islam, Gender and Civil Society
Greg Barton, Matteo Vergani, Yenny Wahid
(2021), Singapore, A7
M Vergani, M Iqbal, E Ilbahar, G Barton
(2020), Vol. 43, pp. 854-885, Studies in conflict and terrorism, Abingdon, Eng., C1
The effects of local socio-political events on group cohesion in online far-right communities
A Bliuc, J Betts, N Faulkner, M Vergani, R Chow, M Iqbal, D Best
(2020), Vol. 15, PLoS ONE, United States, C1
Tackling Hate in Australia: Stocktake Report 2019-2020
Matteo Vergani, Rouven Link
(2020), Geelong, Vic., A6
Barriers to reporting hate crime and hate incidents in Victoria: A mixed-methods study
Matteo Vergani, C Navarro
(2020), Geelong, Vic., A6
M Vergani, K O'Brien, P Lentini, G Barton
(2019), Vol. 40, pp. 111-124, Political psychology, Chichester, Eng., C1
Collective identity changes in far-right online communities: The role of offline intergroup conflict
A Bliuc, J Betts, M Vergani, M Iqbal, K Dunn
(2019), Vol. 21, pp. 1770-1786, New Media and Society, London, Eng., C1
M Vergani, A Bliuc, A Stuart, C Badea, D Muntele, C McGarty
(2019), Vol. 10, Frontiers in Psychology, Switzerland, C1
How is terrorism changing us?: Threat perception and political attitudes in the age of terror
M Vergani
(2018), Singapore, A1
K O'Brien, W Forrest, I Greenlees, D Rhind, S Jowett, I Pinsky, A Espelt, M Bosque-Prous, A Sonderlund, M Vergani, M Iqbal
(2018), Vol. 21, pp. 335-441, Journal of science and medicine in sport, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
Intercultural contact, knowledge of Islam, and prejudice against muslims in Australia
F Mansouri, M Vergani
(2018), Vol. 66, pp. 85-94, International journal of intercultural relations, Amsterdam, The Netherlands, C1
M Vergani, Ana-Maria Bliuc
(2018), Vol. 37, pp. 523-540, Journal of language and social psychology, London, Eng., C1
S Barton, I Yilmaz, F Bezhan, G Barton, J Barry, M Vergani
(2018), Burwood, Vic., A6
Digital me, digital us: curious, critical & creative pilot project evaluation report
C Beavis, L Pangrazio, Michelle Grossman, A Keddie, T Cinque, M Vergani, C Eveley, V Trundle, C Speldewinde
(2018), [Melbourne, Vic.], A6
Examining islamic religiosity and civic engagement in Melbourne
M Vergani, A Johns, M Lobo, F Mansouri
(2017), Vol. 53, pp. 63-78, Journal of Sociology, C1
M Vergani, G Barton, M Iqbal
(2017), Vol. 53, pp. 445-460, Journal of sociology, London, Eng., C1
Risk and benefit perceptions: Resistance, adoption and uses of ICT among the Italian elderly
S Carlo, M Vergani
(2016), Vol. 9754, pp. 155-166, Human aspects of IT for the aged population. Design for aging, New York, N.Y., B1
M Vergani, E Tacchi
(2016), Vol. 42, pp. 1885-1903, Journal of ethnic and migration studies, London, Eng., C1
M Iqbal, K O Brien, A Bliuc, M Vergani
(2016), Vol. 47, pp. 891-897, Journal of cross-cultural psychology, Thousand Oaks, Calif., C1
M Vergani, S Collins
(2015), Vol. 38, pp. 414-432, Studies in conflict & terrorism, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Neojihadist visual politics: comparing YouTube videos of North Caucasus and Uyghur militants
M Vergani, D Zuev
(2015), Vol. 39, pp. 1-22, Asian studies review, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
M Vergani
(2014), Vol. 25, pp. 357-372, Islam and Christian–Muslim relations, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Rethinking grassroots campaigners in the digital media: The 'grassroots orchestra' in Italy
M Vergani
(2014), Vol. 49, pp. 237-251, Australian journal of political science, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Neo- jihadist prosumers and Al Qaeda single narrative: the case study of Giuliano Delnevo
M Vergani
(2014), Vol. 37, pp. 604-617, Studies in conflict & terrorism, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Local political subcultures and party activism in Italy: The case of the Democratic Party
M Vergani
(2014), Vol. 20, pp. 381-390, Party politics, London, Eng., C1-1
Production of solidarities in YouTube: a visual study of Uyghur nationalism
M Vergani, D Zuev,
(2013), pp. 83-107, Sociology of the visual sphere, Abingdon, Eng., B1-1
M Vergani, D Zuev
(2011), Vol. 20, pp. 205-229, Journal of contemporary China, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Are party activists potential opinion leaders?
M Vergani
(2011), Vol. 18, pp. 71-82, Javnost - the public, Abingdon, Eng., C1-1
Internet e partecipazione politica: uno studio comparato tra V-Day e No B-Day
M Vergani
(2011), Vol. 2, pp. 197-222, Comunicazione politica, Bologna, Italy, C1-1
Folksonomy nel Web, tra utopia e realtà
M Vergani
(2010), pp. 115-135, Nuovi media e ricerca empirica. I precorsi metodologici degli Internet Studies, Milan, Italy, B1-1
Media, participation and the state of democracy
Fausto Colombo, M Vergani
(2010), pp. 123-136, Media and communication studies interventions and intersections: the intellectual work of the 2010 ECREA European Media and Communication Doctoral Summer School, Tartu, Estonia, B1-1
Precari per sempre? Nuove forme di comunicazione per nuove lotte
Giovanna Mascheroni, M Vergani
(2010), Vol. 3, pp. 52-64, Historia magistra, Milan, Italy, C1-1
YouTube e civic commercial engagement. Il caso Obama Girl e Barely Political
M Vergani
(2009), Vol. 40, pp. 131-144, Sociologia della comunicazione, Milan, Italy, C1-1
Funded Projects at Deakin
Australian Competitive Grants
Mapping Social Services Provision for Diverse Communities
Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Joumanah El Matrah
ARC Linkage - Projects
- 2022: $140,345
- 2021: $132,920
- 2020: $128,811
Other Public Sector Funding
Evaluation of Creating Change and Enhance projects
A/Prof Matteo Vergani
City of Greater Dandenong
- 2016: $6,818
Understanding Contemporary Terrorism & Developing Policy Responses
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Prof Michele Grossman AM
DFAT Tender - Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- 2018: $188,491
- 2017: $69,712
SEAN-CSO on countering violent extremism - 17/11076-03
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Prof Greg Barton
Department of Home Affairs
- 2018: $165,041
- 2017: $18,181
Preventing violent extremism and building youth cohesion through creative production of grassroots online counter-narratives: a pilot intervention and impact evaluation
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Dr Vanessa Barolsky
Department of Premier and Cabinet Vic
- 2019: $21,906
- 2018: $51,906
Development and delivery of the Digital Literacy and Digital Citizenship Pilot Program
Prof Catherine Beavis, Prof Michele Grossman AM, Prof Amanda Keddie, A/Prof Toija Cinque, Dr Luci Pangrazio, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Premier and Cabinet Vic
- 2018: $166,889
Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS)
Prof Michele Grossman AM, Prof Fethi Mansouri, Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Prof Anita Harris, Dr Vanessa Barolsky, Prof Greg Barton, Dr Amanuel Elias, A/Prof Anna Halafoff, Dr Vivian Gerrand, Prof Amanda Keddie, Prof Yin Paradies, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Dr Jessica Walton, Prof Chad Whelan, Dr Ana-Maria Bliuc, Dr Philippa Collin, Dr Hass Dellal, Dr Nida Denson, Prof Kevin Dunn, Dr Liam Magee, Dr Liam McGarty, A/Prof Amanda Third, Dr Michael Ungar, Dr Sherene Idriss
Department of Premier and Cabinet Vic
- 2019: $1,824,753
- 2018: $1,065,362
Research and Relationships Partner for the South East Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations.
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Home Affairs
- 2019: $146,651
- 2018: $69,007
GCTF Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Working Group - Workshop on Gender and P/CVE: the role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade DFAT
- 2018: $100,000
Mapping Social Services Provision for Diverse Communities
Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Joumanah El Matrah
Victorian Multicultural Commission
- 2022: $10,000
- 2021: $10,000
- 2020: $10,000
Exploring the missing link between hate and violent extremism: building capacities to collect and share data in Victoria
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, A/Prof Gail Mason, Mr Daniel Goodhardt, Prof Joshua Freilich, Prof Steven Chermak
Department of Justice & Community Safety - Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Research Grant
- 2020: $13,605
- 2019: $63,599
Dissecting lslamophobia: understanding the varied racialisation of Islam using latent class analysis, and what it means for responding
Prof Kevin Dunn, Prof Fethi Mansouri, Craig McGarty, Thierno Diallo, Rachael Sharples, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Prof Yin Paradies, Dr Amanuel Elias
Department of Justice & Community Safety - Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Research Grant
- 2019: $22,000
South East Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) in 2019 20.
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Home Affairs
- 2020: $241,329
- 2019: $130,000
Evaluation of AASW and APS Programs.
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Prof Michele Grossman AM
Queensland Police Service
- 2020: $144,500
Engagement of a Research and Relationships provider to support activities of the South East Asian Network of Civil Society Organisations (SEAN-CSO) in 2020-21.
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Home Affairs
- 2021: $195,000
SEAN-CSO 2022
Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Department of Home Affairs
- 2023: $10,000
- 2022: $454,545
Compilation and review of information and expertise on existing relevant initiatives and best practice in Australia that respond to concerns about media regulation and standards.
A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Australian Human Rights Commission
- 2023: $25,000
Industry and Other Funding
Google CVE Effectiveness Audience Research Australia
A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Love Frankie Ltd.
- 2017: $18,260
Measuring Impacts of Countering Violent Extremism Programs: Implications for Australia
Prof Michele Grossman AM, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
RAND Corporation (Australia) Pty Ltd
- 2018: $4,200
Investigating the need for current practices around countering/preventing violent extremism and the work of Plan International in the Philippines, Indonesia and Myanmar
A/Prof Anthony Ware, Prof Matthew Clarke, Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Plan International Australia
- 2018: $10,000
Mapping Social Services Provision for Diverse Communities
Prof Fethi Mansouri, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Joumanah El Matrah
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria
- 2021: $5,000
- 2020: $5,000
Systematic review of hate definitions and measurement.
A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Public Safety Canada
- 2023: $120,385
- 2022: $150,603
- 2021: $66,263
- 2020: $54,997
Measuring impact of online and offline campaign for building resilience and tolerance in tackling South and Southeast Asia conflict
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Prof Greg Barton
The Asia Foundation
- 2021: $12,787
The Holocaust Knowledge and Awareness Survey in Australia
A/Prof Steven Cooke, Dr Donna-Lee Frieze, Prof Andrew Singleton, A/Prof Matteo Vergani
Gandel Philanthropy
- 2021: $119,399
Evaluation of the Black Summer bushfire recovery program extension.
A/Prof Matteo Vergani, A/Prof Andrea Vocino, Prof Greg Barton, A/Prof Timothy Neale
Australian Red Cross Society
- 2023: $161,159
Other Funding Sources
Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies (CRIS)
Prof Michele Grossman AM, Prof Fethi Mansouri, Prof Shahram Akbarzadeh, Prof Anita Harris, Dr Vanessa Barolsky, Prof Greg Barton, Dr Amanuel Elias, A/Prof Anna Halafoff, Dr Vivian Gerrand, Prof Amanda Keddie, Prof Yin Paradies, A/Prof Matteo Vergani, Dr Jessica Walton, Prof Chad Whelan, Dr Ana-Maria Bliuc, Dr Philippa Collin, Dr Hass Dellal, Dr Nida Denson, Prof Kevin Dunn, Dr Liam Magee, Dr Liam McGarty, A/Prof Amanda Third, Dr Michael Ungar, Dr Sherene Idriss
Victoria University, Western Sydney University
- 2023: $152,089
- 2022: $152,089
- 2020: $163,325
- 2019: $112,204
Supervisions
Reem Sweid
Thesis entitled: The Governmentality of ¿Radicalisation¿ and its Discontents: A Critique of the Problematisation of ¿Radicalisation¿ in Australian and UK Policy
Doctor of Philosophy, School of Humanities and Social Sciences