Dr. Matthew Williams ​with David Freed

Matt Williams is Professor of Criminology in the School of Social Sciences at Cardiff University. There Matt is also the Director of Hate Lab and the Social Data Science Lab. One of Matt's main areas of research activity is Hate Crime, Hate Speech and Online Extremism. Drawing on twenty years of research as well as his own experience as a hate crime victim, he uncovers answers to these pressing questions of our age.

Exploring evolution and biology as well as social media and global events such as financial meltdowns, worldwide pandemics and even sporting tournaments, Williams exposes the conditions for hateful behaviour. His journey sees him talking to perpetrators and victims, delving into the murky recesses of the internet and having his brain and others scanned by neuroscientists to reveal the science behind hate.

David Freed, who has done a number of interviews for the Forum, is a former writer for the Los Angeles Times. David teaches creative writing at Harvard Extension School. He was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service and also shared the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Spot News Reporting.