Josefin Graef

Josefin Graef is a Visiting Research Fellow at the Aston Centre for Europe (ACE) within Aston University. Her research focuses on counterterrorism, narrative analysis, and far-right extremism with a particular emphasis on Germany and Western Europe. Graef critically examines how narratives shape political violence, security policies, and societal discourses around immigration and structural racism. Her work bridges anthropology, political science, and media studies to explore topics like the rise of populist parties, the National Socialist Underground (NSU), and the evolution of right-wing terrorism since the 1970s.

Key research areas include the intersection of irony and counterterrorism strategies, the role of storytelling in shaping political realities, and the impact of media narratives on public perception of violent crimes. Graef’s interdisciplinary approach challenges conventional security paradigms and emphasizes the need for narrative frameworks that address systemic issues like institutional racism and democratic backsliding.

Her recent publications analyze contemporary far-right movements, the AfD’s political strategies, and the legacy of historical state failures in addressing extremist violence. Graef also contributes to global solutions frameworks, advocating for pragmatic responses to populist rhetoric and migration crises through narrative-driven policy design.