#rp22 Speakers Natascha Strobl & Annika Brockschmidt

The Austrian political scientist and author Natascha Strobl is an expert on right-wing extremism and investigates the New Right and the Identitarian Movement in Austria and Europe. 
Since 2018, she has been known on Twitter for her assessments and analyses of right-wing language and strategies under the hashtag #NatsAnalyse. As a publicist, she writes for Der Standard, ZEIT online and taz, among others. Her current book “Radikalisierter Konservatismus” (“Radicalised Conservatism”) deals with the rhetorical and political strategies of various conservative politicians.

The conflict researcher Annika Brockschmidt works as a journalist, author and podcaster with a focus on "War and Conflict Studies". She writes for Der Tagesspiegel, ZEIT Online and ZEIT Geschichte and focuses specifically on the Religious Right in the USA and the influence of right-wing evangelicals on Donald Trump's administration. Her book and SPIEGEL bestseller "Amerikas Gotteskrieger" ("America's Holy Warriors") deals with this topic and was published last year. The podcast "Kreuz und Flagge" ("Cross and Flag"), which she produces together with Thomas Zimmer, addresses America's Religious Right as well. She also produces the podcast "HistoPod" for the Federal Agency for Civic Education. For the latest news on her and her projects, follow her on Twitter. 

At re:publica 22, Natascha Strobl and Annika Brockschmidt will be speaking in a joint talk about the strategies of the New Right. 
 

3 Questions for… Natascha Strobl and Annika Brockschmidt 

We are looking forward to the session of the two experts at #rp22 and would like to introduce them to you in our 3-question interview.

What topics or projects are you working on at the moment? 
Natascha:  I am still occupied with the topic of my last book, i.e. radicalised conservatism. Furthermore, I am exploring the question of what fascism means today and whether we are facing a renaissance of fascism.
Annika: I'm currently writing my third non-fiction book and I'm also lecturing on the Religious Right in the US and writing political analyses on the subject for various media outlets.

What have you missed out on in the past two years and think is in urgent need of a reboot?  
Natascha: Since we are facing similar problems across Europe, it is necessary to network and look to neighbouring countries. It is also necessary to talk openly and honestly about fascism.
Annika: Unfortunately, the pandemic is not over yet. If normality returns at some point, I will be very happy to see all my friends together again—and to finally meet all those in real life that I met online during the pandemic years at web conferences or similar.  

The motto of #rp22 refers to the last line of the Queen song "Bohemian Rhapsody". Which song do you think should definitely be included in a karaoke session at #rp22 and why? 
Natascha: "Common People" by Pulp, because not only is it the best pop song of the 90s or maybe ever, but its biting irony is still unsurpassed.
Annika: Oh God, karaoke is a bit of my private nightmare, I can't sing anything at all. For the ears, in keeping with my theme: “Talkin' John Birch Paranoid Blues” by Bob Dylan.