About Dr. Braune
Dr. Joan Braune is a Lecturer in Philosophy and Instructor in Leadership Studies at Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington, USA. Her academic work lies in Critical Hate Studies/Antifascism and Frankfurt School Critical Theory, and her current research topics include understanding and countering psychological allure of fascist recruitment tactics; countering anti-Semitic conspiracy theories; and the limitations and ethical harms of approaches to fighting hate grounded in counter-terrorism/policing/CVE models. She believes effectively studying and combating resurgent fascist and white nationalist movements requires both theory and engaged practice. Dr. Braune is a frequently invited speaker to help community organizations, faith communities, teachers, labor unions, and others understand and counteract the growing threat of resurging fascist organizations and movements in the United States.
Dr. Braune has published two books on Erich Fromm’s critical theory and is currently completing a book on contemporary fascist movements and how to defeat them, for Routledge Press. In addition, she is co-editing a volume on The Ethics of Researching the Far Right (Manchester University Press, 2023), with Antonia Vaughn, Meghan Tinsley, and Aurelien Mondon. Some of her other recent publications include her chapter, “A Partial Typology of Empathy for Enemies: Collaborationist to Strategic,” in No Pasaran: Antifascist Dispatches from a World in Crisis, edited by Shane Burley, and “Who’s Afraid of the Frankfurt School? Cultural Marxism as an Antisemitic Conspiracy Theory” for Journal of Social Justice.