Big Projects
Hatepedia
: a Guide to Online Hate
Hatepedia is widely renowned as Canada’s largest and most comprehensive guide to hate symbols, phrases, slogans, and themes. The guide is available as a searchable website and as a downloadable PDF, both of which are free and easily accessible to all.
Hatepedia is managed by the Toronto Holocaust Museum and made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Anti-Racism Action Program. It was co-created and co-authored by myself, Étienne Quintal, and the employees of the Toronto Holocaust Museum (formerly the Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre). The PDF eBook was designed by myself with a cover illustration by Misery.co.
The final report of the Online Hate Research and Education Project, 'Weaponized Laughter: Memes and Hate in the Canadian Digital Landscape' shares insights on a data set of nearly 3000 hateful memes published online by Canadian accounts.
This research project was the largest of it’s kind. The report, which I co-authored, provides analysis on thousands of pieces of hate propaganda. The report is managed by the Toronto Holocaust Museum and made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Anti-Racism Action Program.
Holocaust Denial, Distortion, and Celebration Memes is a report on the weaponization of the Holocaust through memes. In it, we analyzed over 150 internet memes that directly trivialized, denied, or celebrated the Holocaust.
The report is managed by the Toronto Holocaust Museum and made possible thanks to funding from the Government of Canada’s Anti-Racism Action Program.
Interviews and Media Appearances
Interviewed for Pierre Poilievre has been accused of flirting with Diagolon. Here’s what the extremist group thinks of that (May 7, 2024).
Interviewed for Families of MMIWG face off with supporters of ‘comedy’ group behind Pickton shirt (March 29, 2024).
Interviewed for Hate propaganda spread through neo-Nazi icons and memes (May 29, 2023). Story published in Peterborough Examiner and Niagara Falls Review.
Interviewed on Episode 39: Dan Collen on weaponized laughter memes & Heddwen Newton on Lang in the News (May 28, 2023).
7th International Conference on Hate Studies
Panelist in Genocide Denial in Memes, Online, or in Museums and Denialism in the Law at the 7th International Conference on Hate Studies by Gonzaga University, Community Colleges of Spoken, and Stone Group of Companies.
Interviewed about extremism and video games for COMTOG Report on “The Light in the Darkness” (April 12, 2023).
Interviewed alongside Amira Elghawabby of Canadian Race Relations about the increase in Hate Crime reported in Ottawa in 2022.
Interviewed for Online Anti-Semitism Part 2 (Dec. 16, 2022).
Interviewed for Antisemitism prevalent’ through anti-vax protests (Dec. 16, 2022).
Interviewed for Online Anti-Semitism Part 1 (Dec. 9, 2022).
Hate Among Us: Combating Right-Wing Extremism in Canada, the US & Europe
Panelist discussing far-right extremism in Canada for Hate Among Us, hosted by The German Embassy of Canada, FES, and the Canadian Anti-Hate Network.
How Rock Against Racism Defeated Fascism for Good (Don’t Worry About it) ft. Dan Collen
Episode 1: 🤬 online hate & radicalisation | dan
Interviewed about Canada’s Covid conspiracy movement and protests in Ottawa on June 25, 2022. Interview is last thirteen minutes of morning segment.
Source and interview subject for Why are ‘Freedom Convoy’ truckers protesting in Ottawa? Our reporters answered your questions (February 10, 2022).
Guest on Canada Convoy Update (February 4, 2022).
Guest on Canadian Trucker Convoy (January 31, 2022).
Guest panellist in episode Episode 79: Anti-Hate Work in Canada.
CP24
Part of a speakers panel discussing anti-Trudeau protests during the 2021 Canadian election as part of CP24’s evening news on Sept. 7, 2021.
Guelph Politico
Episode 269: Pandemics Make Strange Bedfellows
Guest on Guelph Politicast Episode 269: Pandemics Make Strange Bedfellows.
Available on Spotify and at guelphpoliticast.podbean.com.
Vice World News
Despite Rampant Infighting, the Canadian Anti-Mask Movement Isn’t Going Anywhere
Quoted, referenced as an independent journalist for opinions related to division in the anti-mask movement.
The Rise of the Anti-Mask Influencer
Quoted, referenced as an independent journalist for opinions related to anti-mask celebrities and social media influencers.
Citations
PressProgress — Background for the article Ottawa Book Festival Platforming Far-Right Speakers Uses Fake Employees and Misleading Sponsors (April 27, 2024): “This article expands on research and information first shared by Community Solidarity Ottawa and anti-hate researcher Dan Collen.”
Rachel Gilmore — Comment for video (March 8, 2024).
Antihate.School — Passages for Neuberger Holocaust Education Centre quoted in the article Feminine Fascism: Girls and Young Women in Hate Subcultures (Sept. 7, 2024).
Robert Spencer of Jihad Watch — Spencer quoted and critiqued several passages I wrote for the Neuberger Holocaust Centre in Jihad Watch and PJ Media. “Robert Spencer is one of America’s most prolific and vociferous anti-Muslim propagandists”, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center.
Vice World News — Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to Host Alex Jones at Second ‘Awakening’ Summit cited as a source in Anti-Maskers Are Trying to Recruit People of Colour So They Don't Look Racist.
Toronto Caribbean Newspaper — Toronto Caribbean Newspaper to Host Alex Jones at Second ‘Awakening’ Summit shown as commentary during the intro sequence to Awakening: World Truth Summit 2 before an interview with co-headliner David Icke. The commentary was not an endorsement and my coverage was not positive.
Accidental Deliberations — Major Canadian News Outlets Keep Giving Platforms to Conspiracy Theorists and Racists referenced in February 13, 2021 newsletter,
Canadian Anti-Hate Network — Referenced in In A Year Full Of Losses, We Reflect On The Wins: “Dan Collen has produced outstanding journalism on hate promoting individuals this year -- including an article for us -- and we’re excited to see what he covers next.”