The 2024 International Network for Hate Studies (INHS) Biennial Conference
The 2024 International Network for Hate Studies (INHS) Biennial Conference, “Dynamics of Hate: Examining Interdisciplinary Perspectives”, marked a historic moment as the first INHS conference to be hosted in the Southern Hemisphere. Co-hosted by the University of South Africa (UNISA) and the Psychological Society of South Africa (PsySSA), the event brought together a diverse and committed group of scholars, legal experts, psychologists, policymakers, and activists—all working toward a deeper understanding of hate and the strategies needed to combat it.
The INHS, a global network dedicated to fostering academic and practical responses to hate, set the stage for critical engagement on the causes, manifestations, and impacts of hate in society. The conference’s interdisciplinary approach reflected INHS’s commitment to bridging the gap between theory and practice—ensuring that academic research informs policy, advocacy, and real-world interventions. Key speakers included Prof. Mark Walters, Chair of the INHS Board, Prof. Juan A. Nel, Chair of the INHS 2024 Organising Committee, Deputy Minister of Justice, Andries Nel, former Deputy Minister John Jeffery, and esteemed figures from UNISA and PsySSA, such as Prof. Thinandavha Mashau (Deputy Executive Dean: UNISA College of Human Sciences) and Prof. Ronelle Carolissen (PsySSA President). Their addresses emphasised the necessity of collaborative, evidence-based responses to hate, highlighting how the intersection of research and activism can strengthen the global fight against intolerance, discrimination, and hate crimes.
A central theme that emerged from the conference was that hate cannot be confronted in silos—it requires a unified, intersectional, and multi-sectoral response. Hate is not confined to any one community; it is a force that seeks to divide, exclude, and dehumanise. Throughout the conference, speakers and panel discussions reinforced that fighting hate means dismantling anti-rights movements, rejecting divisive narratives, and ensuring that all communities have a seat at the table. Prof. Mashau’s metaphor, “breathing through the wounds,” resonated deeply, capturing the historical and ongoing trauma caused by gender-based violence, xenophobia, and tribalism in South Africa. His words reflected the urgency of building interdisciplinary frameworks that heal rather than exacerbate these wounds—fostering social cohesion, justice, and accountability.
The Hate Crimes Working Group (HCWG) embodied this commitment to collective action through its participation in the conference. Represented by Sibonelo Ncanana from OUT LGBT Well-being (OUT), the HCWG—a coalition of 25 organisations advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, migrant rights, and broader human rights—presented their work on monitoring hate crime cases, analysing systemic failures, and pushing for policy reform, by delivering a presentation entitled “The Powerful Effect of Diverse Communities Collaborating for Hate Crime Legislation.” Their efforts focus not only on legislative reform, but also on accountability while ensuring that justice processes do not further victimise survivors. By working with government departments, academic institutions, and civil society, the HCWG plays a crucial role in shaping South Africa’s hate crime legislation, including monitoring the effective implementation of the newly introduced Hate Crimes Act.
A discussion with former Deputy Minister John Jeffery revealed that the full implementation of South Africa’s Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Act is anticipated to commence between mid-2025 and 2026. Several procedural steps remain, requiring coordination among the South African Police Service (SAPS) and other key stakeholders.
Representatives from other HCWG member organisations participated in their own independent capacity, including OUT, Scalabrini Centre of Cape Town (Scalabrini), UNISA and Sonke Gender Justice, offering valuable insights into the issues of xenophobia and homophobia in South Africa, among others. Scalabrini’s James Chapman presented on the topic of xenophobia and found it insightful to learn about the work being conducted by other attendees. The conference provided an opportunity to build networks and foster partnerships for ongoing efforts to combat hate.
The conference also reinforced the importance of a collective responsibility in shaping policy and practice. The INHS’s work in bridging the gap between academic inquiry and frontline activism has been instrumental in shaping global responses to hate. By fostering international collaborations, the network ensures that strategies developed in one context can inform responses elsewhere—helping to create more inclusive, informed, and rights-based approaches to tackling hate across the world. Ultimately, the 2024 INHS conference was more than an academic gathering—it was a call to action. The insights, research, and lived experiences shared over the course of the event laid the groundwork for stronger, more cohesive efforts to combat hate crimes and intolerance. The collaborative model demonstrated by the HCWG, UNISA, PsySSA, and the INHS itself reinforced the fact that hate is not limited to any one group, but that it is a force that divides and dehumanises communities. It is crucial that the fight against hate must be intersectional, evidence-driven, and unwavering in its commitment to inclusion, justice, and human dignity.
For information on the next INHS Conference, visit https://internationalhatestudies.com
