Constantin Winkler is an executive board member and researcher at the Center for Critical Social Sciences (ZKSW). He is a social scientist from Berlin whose research focuses on antisemitism and radicalization in digital gaming communities. At the ZKSW, he serves as the research lead for the project “Antisemitism in Gaming.” He is also a doctoral candidate at the Department of Sociology at the University of Passau (UP). Previously, he was a research associate on the RadiGaMe project (Radicalization on Gaming Platforms and Messaging Services) at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), which was awarded the Special Jury Prize at the 2026 German Computer Game Awards (DCP). His research focuses on Antisemitism Studies, the sociology of culture, and Critical Theory.
CV
| Since 2026 – Researcher, Antisemitism in Gaming, Center for Critical Social Sciences (ZKSW) |
| Since 2024 – Doctoral Candidate, Chair of Sociology, University of Passau (UP) – supervised by Prof. Dr. Karin Stögner Dissertation project: Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities |
| 2023-2026 – Researcher, RadiGaMe – Radicalisation on gaming platforms and messenger services, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), within the Research Group Radicalization, Terrorism, and Extremism Prevention (RTEP), Program Area Transnational Politics – Recipient of the Special Jury Prize at the German Computer Game Awards 2026 (DCP) |
| 2022–2023 – Project Lead Antisemitism, International Institute for Education and Research on Antisemitism (IIBSA), Berlin |
| 2022 – IT Administrator, Department of Social Sciences (ISW), Humboldt University of Berlin |
| 2019–2022 – Student Research Assistant, Berlin Graduate School of Social Sciences (BGSS) Department of Social Sciences (ISW), Humboldt University of Berlin |
| 2018–2022 – M.A. in Social Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin Master’s thesis: Aestheticization of Misery: The Centre for Political Beauty and the Shoah |
| 2017 – Erasmus+ Exchange Programme, Department of Social Anthropology, Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences (PUSPS), Athens |
| 2016–2018 – Student Research Assistant, Berlin Institute for Empirical Integration and Migration Research (BIM) |
| 2014–2018 – B.A. in Social Sciences, Humboldt University of Berlin Bachelor’s thesis: A Monument to Germany? The Controversy around the Old Synagogue in Freiburg im Breisgau |
| 2007–2015 – Network and Systems Administrator, ProCurand, Berlin |
| 2004–2007 – Vocational Training in IT Systems Management (IHK), bbw Academy Berlin |
Publications
| Ohlenforst, Vivienne / Schlegel, Linda / Heider, Matthias / Wiegold, Lars / Winkler, Constantin (2026): Digitale Lebenswelten nutzen – Gaming-Ansätze für die Präventionsarbeit & Demokratiepädagogik. Eine Praxishandreichung. modus | zad, Berlin. Available online at: https://modus-zad.de/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/RadiGaMe_Praxishandreichung_Gaming-Ansaetze-fuer-die-Praeventionsarbeit-und-Demokratiepaedagogik.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2026): Links, weiblich, antisemitisch. Zur Rolle von Frauen im Antisemitismus der (radikalen) Linken. In: Isabelle Holz und Stephan G. Humer (Ed.). Extremistinnen und Terroristinnen – Rollen, Funktionen und Bedeutung von Frauen in Extremismus und Terrorismus. De Gruyter, Berlin, pp. 221-241. Available online on the publisher’s website: https://www.degruyterbrill.com/de/document/doi/10.1515/9783112206041/html  |
| Winkler, Constantin (2026): Antiisraelischer Antisemitismus in Gaming-Räumen. In: Democ (Ed.). Virtuelle Normalitäten – Israelbezogener Antisemitismus in digitalen Räumen. Hintergrundwissen und pädagogische Praxis. Berlin, pp. 23-26. Available online at: https://democ.de/documents/48/democ_-_Virtuelle_Normalitaten.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2026): Antisemitismus in Communities digitaler Spiele im Zuge der Covid-19-Pandemie. In: Diego Compagna (Ed.). Gaming in Zeiten der Krise. Zur Nutzung, Bedeutung und Funktion digitaler Spiele während der Corona-Pandemie. Beltz Juventa, Weinheim, pp. 229-243. Available online on the publisher’s website: https://www.beltz.de/fachmedien/soziologie/produkte/details/52005-gaming-in-zeiten-der-krise.html |
| Secondary publication: Schlegel, Linda / Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars (2026): Youth Radicalisation in the Gaming Sphere: An Exploration of Identity-Based Hate and Extremist Content on Roblox. In: GIFCT Year 5 Working Group (Ed.). Addressing Youth Radicalization and Mobilization: Trends and Insights. Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, Washington, D.C., pp. 15-25. Available online at: https://gifct.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/AYRM-Trends-and-Insights.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars / von Eyb, Johannes / Hoffmann, Jan / Jaskowski, Judith / Schlegel, Linda (2026): Von Wahlkämpfern und Falschspielern: digitale Gaming-Räume im Spannungsfeld zwischen demokratischem Diskurs und extremistischer Einflussnahme. In: Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (Ed.). Wissen schafft Demokratie. Schwerpunkt Demokratiegefährdung online, Band 18. Jena, pp. 116–129. Available online at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD18/WsD_18_Constantin_Winkler_et_al..pdf Or as complete issue at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD18/IDZ_WsD-18_web.pdf |
| Schlegel, Linda / Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars / Ohlenforst, Vivienne / Jaskowski, Judith (2025): Wenn Hass mitspielt – Forschungsgutachten (Rechts-)Extremismus im Gaming-Bereich. Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media and Bavarian State Ministry for Family, Labour and Social Affairs (Eds.), München. Available online at: https://www.blm.de/files/pdf2/forschungsgutachten_game_over-v1.pdf Or as executive summary at: https://www.blm.de/files/pdf2/executive-summary-gaming-und-rechts-extremismus_dez25-v1.pdf |
| Schlegel, Linda / Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars (2025): Youth Radicalisation in the Gaming Sphere: An Exploration of Identity-Based Hate and Extremist Content on Roblox, Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) Insights, 28.10.2025. Available online at: https://gnet-research.org/2025/10/28/youth-radicalisation-in-the-gaming-sphere-an-exploration-of-identity-based-hate-and-extremist-content-on-roblox/ |
| Winkler, Constantin (2025): Islamismus in digitaler Spielekultur. In: Federal Agency for Child and Youth Protection in the Media (Ed.). BzKJAKTUELL 3/2025, pp. 16-20. Available online at: https://www.bzkj.de/resource/blob/269218/3606b1b757fc753aa00f24db68da4379/20253-islamismus-in-digitaler-spielekultur-data.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2025): Linker Antisemitismus nach 10/7 – Kontinuitäten und aktuelle Entwicklungen. In: Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (Ed.). Wissen schafft Demokratie. Schwerpunkt Uncivil Society – „Schattenseiten“ der Zivilgesellschaft, Band 17. Jena, pp. 108–121. Available online at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD17/Beitrag_WsD17_Constantin_Winkler.pdf Or as complete issue at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD17/WsD17_WEB.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2025): Antisemitismus. In: Aurelia Brandenburg, Linda Schlegel and Felix Zimmermann (Eds.). Handbuch Gaming & Rechtsextremismus: Voraussetzungen, Einstellungen, Prozesse, Auswege. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Bonn, pp. 127-135. Available online at: https://www.bpb.de/shop/buecher/schriftenreihe/563171/handbuch-gaming-rechtsextremismus/ |
| Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars / Schlegel, Linda / Junk, Julian (2025): RadiGaMe (Radikalisierung auf Gaming-Plattformen und Messenger-Diensten). In: Aurelia Brandenburg, Linda Schlegel and Felix Zimmermann (Eds.). Handbuch Gaming & Rechtsextremismus: Voraussetzungen, Einstellungen, Prozesse, Auswege. Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung, Bonn, pp. 331-332. Available online at: https://www.bpb.de/shop/buecher/schriftenreihe/563171/handbuch-gaming-rechtsextremismus/ |
| Schlegel, Linda / Wiegold, Lars / Winkler, Constantin (2025): Wahlkampf auf digitalen Spielfeldern: Diskurse zu Wahlkampf und Politik in Gaming-Welten, PRIF BLOG, 20.02.2025. Available online at: https://blog.prif.org/2025/02/20/wahlkampf-auf-digitalen-spielfeldern-diskurse-zu-wahlkampf-und-politik-in-gaming-welten/ |
| Schlegel, Linda / Wiegold, Lars / Winkler, Constantin / Junk, Julian (2025): Exploring the digital extremist ecosystem: A preliminary analysis of hateful posts on Mod DB. In: Frontiers in Psychology, Section Media Psychology, Volume 15 – 2024. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1502098 |
| Winkler, Constantin (2024): Gaming and Extremism. The Radicalization of Digital Playgrounds. In: Terrorism and Political Violence, 37(8), Routledge, London, pp. 1147–1148. Available online at: https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2024.2434180 |
| Winkler, Constantin (2024): Zur Bedeutung gaming-naher Plattformen für radikalisierte Akteur*innen und Radikalisierungsprozesse, PRIF BLOG, 28.08.2024. Available online at: https://blog.prif.org/2024/08/28/zur-bedeutung-gaming-naher-plattformen-fuer-radikalisierte-akteurinnen-und-radikalisierungsprozesse/ |
| Wiegold, Lars / Winkler, Constantin / Jaskowski, Judith (2024): Camera, Action, Play: An Exploration of Extremist Activity on Video- and Livestreaming Platforms, Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) Insights, 18.07.2024. Available online at: https://gnet-research.org/2024/07/18/camera-action-play-an-exploration-of-extremist-activity-on-video-and-livestreaming-platforms/ |
| Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars (2024): Gaming the System: The Use of Gaming-Adjacent Communication, Game and Mod Platforms by Extremist Actors, Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET) Insights, 10.06.2024. Available online at: https://gnet-research.org/2024/06/10/gaming-the-system-the-use-of-gaming-adjacent-communication-game-and-mod-platforms-by-extremist-actors/ |
| Winkler, Constantin (2024): „WE RESPAWN IN JANNAH“ – Zur islamistischen Aneignung digitaler Spielekultur. In: Competence Network on Islamist Extremism (KN:IX) (Eg.). Impuls #12, Violence Prevention Network, Berlin. Available online at: https://violence-prevention-network.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/KNIX-Impuls-12.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin / Wiegold, Lars / Schlegel, Linda / Jaskowski, Judith (2024): Streaming, Chatting, Modding: Eine Kurzexploration extremistischer Aktivitäten auf Gaming- und gaming-nahen Plattformen. In: Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) / RadiGaMe research network (Radicalisation on gaming platforms and messenger services), Frankfurt. Available online at: https://www.radigame.de/fileadmin/DatenRadigame/Publikationen/RadiGaMe_Report_1.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2023): Phänomene des Antisemitismus in digitalen Spielen und ihren Communitys. In: Institute for Democracy and Civil Society (Ed.). Wissen schafft Demokratie. Schwerpunkt Netzkulturen und Plattformpolitiken, Band 14. Jena, pp. 78–89. Available online at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD14/WsD14_Beitrag_Constantin_Winkler.pdf Or as complete issue at: https://www.idz-jena.de/fileadmin/user_upload/PDFs_WsD14/WEB-WsD-14-Netzkulturen-und-Plattformpolitiken.pdf |
| Winkler, Constantin (2023): Massaker unter Applaus: Antisemitische Reaktionen auf den Terror gegen Israel in Deutschland, PRIF BLOG, 10.11.2023. Available online at: https://blog.prif.org/2023/11/10/massaker-unter-applaus-antisemitische-reaktionen-auf-den-terror-gegen-israel-in-deutschland/ |
| Sommer, Tjona Kristina / Polizzi, Antonino / Winkler, Constantin (2019): Lesbische Regenbogenfamilien und ihre Auseinandersetzungen mit der Figur des Vaters. In: Bulletin-Texte. Center for Transdisciplinary Gender Studies, Humboldt University of Berlin, Berlin 30 (2019) 45, pp. 47-65. Available online at: https://www.gender.hu-berlin.de/de/publikationen/gender-bulletin-broschueren/bulletin-texte/bulletin-texte_45_gesamt_korrigiert.pdf |
Events
| 01–03 December 2026 – Presentation: Radicalization and antisemitism in digital gaming communities as part of the workshop series “New Authoritarianisms in Germany and Brazil” der Forschungsstiftung by the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) and the Bavarian University Center for Latin America (BAYLAT), affiliated with the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts (StMWK) (01–03 December 2026). São Paulo, Brazil. |
| 10 September 2026 – Keynote: Pixels, Propaganda and Violence: Recognizing and Understanding Radicalization Dynamics in Gaming Spaces, followed by a discussion on the democratic potential of gaming and strengthening resilience in the digital sphere, at the online conference “Radical or Normal? Youth Media Work Between Distance and Dialogue”, organized by the Academy of Cultural Education of the Federal Government and the State of North Rhine-Westphalia as part of the PROQUA project within the federal program „Culture is Strength. Education Alliances”. |
| 28 August 2026 – Lecture: Radicalization on Gaming-Adjacent Platforms at the professional training event “Games in Focus of Youth Services – Gaming Between Prevention and Radicalization”, organized by Spieleratgeber NRW and Arbeitsgemeinschaft Kinder- und Jugendschutz NRW (AJS NRW) e.V. at gamescom 2026 (26–30 August 2026). Cologne, Germany. |
| 27 August 2026 – Panel Discussion: Gaming, Radicalization, Prevention, and Youth Protection on the NRW Youth Forum stage at gamescom 2026 (26–30 August 2026). Cologne, Germany. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/xPisbWnOnEw?t=26544s (from 07:22:24) |
| 27 August 2026 – Roundtable: Leveling up for Resilience – Guidelines Against Radicalization at the gamescom congress 2026 – with Mick Prinz, Vivienne Ohlenforst und Matthias Heider. Cologne, Germany. |
| 23 July 2026 – Lecture: Antsemitism in Gaming as part of the module “Extremism, Hate Speech & GFE in Games and on Platforms” in the training series “Learn.Play.Prevent. – Interactive Training on Gaming & Extremism Prevention” organized by Modus – Centre for Applied Research on Deradicalisation (modus | zad). |
| 07 July 2026 – Presentation and panel chair: Antisemitic Mobilisation Strategies in Digital Gaming Culture on the Panel Antisemitism and Media at the conference Contemporary Antisemitism 2026 by the Elizabeth and Tony Comper interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism at the University of Haifa (UH), the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA), the Center for Holocaust Studies and Human Rights at Gratz College, the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (ISCA) at Indiana University (IU) and the Center for the Study of Antisemitism (CSA) at New York University (NYU) (7–9 July 2026). Haifa, Israel. |
| 03 June 2026 – Presentation: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Digital Gaming Communities as part of the Online Seminar Series of the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA). Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HLxdQyN2Ns |
| 30 May 2026 – Presentation: When Hate Plays Along – Research Report on (Right-Wing) Extremism in Gaming at the Research Seminar of the Chair of Sociology, University of Passau (UP) (29–30 May 2026). Passau, Germany. |
| 19 May 2026 – Policy consultations with Members of the German Bundestag: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Gaming as part of the programme „Leibniz in the Bundestag“ (19–20 May 2026). Berlin, Germany. |
| 13 May 2026 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Online Gaming Spaces as part of theCoalition to Counter Online Antisemitism (CCOA) Deep Dive and Training Programme. |
| 06 May 2026 – Presentation: Between Play and Ideology: Radicalization in Digital Gaming Communities at the international conference Radicalisation of Young People in Slovakia 3.0 organized by IPčko, the Anti-Terrorism Unit of the Police Presidium of Slovakia, the Orange Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) (6–7 May 2026). Bratislava, Slovakia. |
| 27 April 2026 – Presentation: RadiGaMe – Radicalization on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) Scientific Advisory Board Meeting 2026 (27–28 April 2026). Frankfurt am Main, Germany. |
| 20 April 2026 – Presentation: Understanding Radicalisation Dynamics: Phenomena and Communication in Gaming and Messenger Spaces at the transfer conference of the research consortium Radicalisation on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services (RadiGaMe), Radicalisation on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services: Dynamics | Prevention | Law Enforcement – together with Ulrike Schwertberger, Tobias Weidmann, Kevin Weyda, and Hannes Jakim Peter. Berlin, Germany. |
| 15 April 2026 – Panel Discussion: Gaming for/against Democracy? Politics and Anti-Democratic Tendencies in Gaming Spaces as part of the event series „Designing Democracy – Designing Peace“, organized by the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) and the Frankfurt Adult Education Centre (VHS) within the framework of World Design Capital 2026 (WDC 2026) – with Mareike Stürenburg, Severin Schwalb, and Yvonne Blum. Frankfurt am Main, Germany. |
| 15 January 2026 – Presentation: Gaming and Right-Wing Extremism at the event “Gaming in Educational Contexts”, organized within the research project “Gaming against Right-Wing Extremism, Exclusion and Antisemitism” of the Chair of History of the Jewish People at the University of Jewish Studies Heidelberg (HfJS). Heidelberg, Germany. |
| 10 December 2025 – Panel Discussion: Extremist Activities Related to Gaming – Presentation of the Expert Report and Q&A Session at the event “When Hate Plays Along: Extremism in Digital Gaming Spaces”, organized by the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM) and the Bavarian State Ministry of Family, Labour and Social Affairs (StMAS), presenting the findings of the expert report (Right-Wing) Extremism and Online Games by Modus – Centre for Applied Research on Deradicalisation (modus | zad) – together with Vivienne Ohlenforst, Lars Wiegold, and Linda Schlegel. Munich, Germany. |
| 28 November 2025 – Roundtable: Gaming and Right-Wing Extremism at the online conference “Gaming Cultures”, organized by the Working Group Humanities and Digital Games (AKGWDS) (28–29 November 2025) – with Aurelia Brandenburg, Linda Schlegel, Tobias Unterhuber, and Felix Zimmermann. |
| 13 November 2025 – Presentation: RadiGaMe – Analysis of Radicalisation Processes and Preventive Measures on Gaming Platforms at the meeting of the research consortium Radicalisation on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services (RadiGaMe) (13–14 November 2025) – together with Lars Wiegold. Berlin, Germany. |
| 28 October 2025 – Panel Discussion: Antisemitism, Right-Wing Culture Wars, and Aggrieved Masculinities in Gaming at a panel organized by the Centre for Critical Social Sciences (ZKSW), supported by the Amadeu Antonio Foundation (AAS), as part of the 2025 Education and Engagement Weeks against Antisemitism – with Veronika Kracher and Thimo Gawlik. Berlin, Germany. |
| 20 October 2025 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities on the panel “Ideology & Extremism” at the conference “Critical Examinations of New Media and Antisemitism”, organized by the Center for the Study of Antisemitism (CSA) at New York University (NYU) (20–21 October 2025). New York City, United States of America. |
| 16 October 2025 – Lecture: Gaming and Dynamics of Radicalisation – Extremist Influence in Gaming Spaces as part of Lecture Series 2025 on the theme “Platform” of the research focus digital_culture at FernUniversität in Hagen – together with Lars Wiegold. |
| 15 October 2025 – Policy consultations with Members of the German Bundestag: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Gaming as part of the programme “Leibniz in the Bundestag” (14–15 October 2025). Berlin, Germany. |
| 02 September 2025 – Presentation: Just a Game? Antisemitism on Gaming-Adjacent Platforms on the panel “Digital Spaces and Gaming Platforms” at the conference “Hate in Transition and the Aftermath of 7 October: Antisemitism and Racism in Times of Political Crisis” (Mid-Term Conference of Research Network 31 (RN31) – Ethnic Relations, Racism and Antisemitism of the European Sociological Association (ESA)) (31 August–2 September 2025). Passau, Germany |
| 29 August 2025 – Presentation: Hateful and Extremist Communication on Gaming (-Adjacent) Platforms on the panel “Radicalization in Digital Gaming Spaces and Beyond” at the European Consortium for Political Research (ECPR) General Conference 2025 (26–29 August 2025) – together with Lars Wiegold. Thessaloniki, Greece. |
| 23 August 2025 – Panel Discussion: This Is Not a Game! Extremism in Games on the NRW Youth Forum stage at gamescom 2025 (20–24 August 2025). Cologne, Germany. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/K0n7FaiQ70s?t=20592s (from 05:43:12) |
| 03 June 2025 – Individual consultations: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Gaming as part of the “Book a Scientist” programme of the Leibniz Association. |
| 15 May 2025 – Presentation: The Influence of Digital Gaming Culture on Radicalisation at the national conference “Youth and Radicalisation – The Diverse Challenges of Our Time”, organized by the Swiss Security Network (SSN). Bern, Switzerland. Graphic Recording by Andre Sandmann (Pikka) available online at: https://www.pikka.ch/projekt/graphic-recording-sicherheitsverbund-svs |
| 01 April 2025 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities on the panel “Digital Antisemitism” at the London Conference on Contemporary Antisemitism 2025, organized by the London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA) and the Elizabeth and Tony Comper Interdisciplinary Center for the Study of Antisemitism and Racism at the University of Haifa (UH) (29 March–1 April 2025). London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. |
| 11 February 2025 – Expert Consultation: Level Up! Learning In and Through Digital Games, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). Berlin, Germany. Documentation available online at: https://www.oer-strategie.de/aktuelles/level-up-lernen-in-und-mit-digitalen-spielen/ |
| 12 December 2024 – Workshop: Ain’t No Game – Antisemitism in Gaming & on Social Media at “Actions Matter – The Summit: Countering Antisemitism. From National Strategies to Local Implementation”, organized by the European Leadership Network (ELNET) and the Combat Antisemitism Movement (CAM) (11–12 December 2024) – with Shani Benoualid, Daniel Miehling, and Kim Robin Stoller. Vienna, Austria. The resulting action plan is available online at: https://elnet-deutschland.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20241219_Actions-Matter-Action-Plan_Web.pdf |
| 19 November 2024 – Presentation: RadiGaMe – Analysis of Radicalisation Processes and Preventive Measures on Gaming Platforms at the milestone conference and project meeting of the research consortium Radicalisation on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services (RadiGaMe) (18–19 November 2024) – together with Julian Junk. Berlin, Germany. |
| 16 November 2024 – Panel Discussion: Gaming and Empowerment – How Games Make Us Stronger at the PLAY – Creative Gaming Festival Couch (11–16 November 2024) – with Elena Bauer, Renate Hillen, and Sofia Kats. Hamburg, Germany. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yrnzYMb8KgA |
| 13 November 2024 – Presentation: Exploring the Digital Extremist Ecosystem: A Preliminary Analysis of Hateful Posts on Mod DB at the Extremism and Gaming Research Network (EGRN) Members Meeting – together with Lars Wiegold. |
| 08 November 2024 – Presentation: On the Significance of Modding Platforms in the Antisemitism of Digital Gaming Culture at the Research Seminar of the Chair of Sociology, University of Passau (UP) (8–9 November 2024). Passau, Germany. |
| 31 October 2024 – Presentation: Streaming, Chatting, Modding – The Use of Gaming-Adjacent Communication and Platforms by Extremist Actors on the panel “Game On: Tackling Extremist Use of Gaming & Gaming-Adjacent Platforms and Potential Responses” of the Global Network on Extremism & Technology (GNET) at Hedayah’s International Research Conference and Communications Expo 2024 (RCxEXPO24) (29 October–1 November 2024) – together with Lars Wiegold. London, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4zksOLBrLg Additional impressions: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DBzdxWLgtsh |
| 15 October 2024 – Individual consultations: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Gaming as part of the “Book a Scientist” programme of the Leibniz Association. |
| 20 August 2024 – Presentation: RadiGaMe – Radicalisation on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services. PRIF Subproject. Radicalisation Processes and Preventive Measures on Gaming Platforms: Analysis and Knowledge Transfer within the Research Group “Radicalisation” at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) – together with Linda Schlegel and Lars Wiegold. Frankfurt am Main, Germany. |
| 20 July 2024 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Gaming at a solidarity event for the Alliance Against Authoritarian Transformation (GegenForm). Berlin, Germany. |
| 13–15 June 2024 – Group Facilitator: Antisemitism and Conspiracy Myths in the module “Right-Wing Extremism from an Intersectional Perspective” of the “MasterClass Game Development 2024/25: Recognising Right-Wing Extremism, Countering Group-Focused Enmity”, organized by the Federal Agency for Civic Education (bpb). Bonn, Germany. |
| 12 June 2024 – Policy consultations with Members of the German Bundestag: Antisemitism and Radicalisation in Gaming – Approaches to Digital Extremism Prevention as part of the programme “Leibniz in the Bundestag” (11–12 June 2024). Berlin, Germany. |
| 07 June 2024 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities at the Research Seminar of the Chair of Sociology, University of Passau (UP) (7–8 June 2024). Passau, Germany. |
| 22 May 2024 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Gaming as part of the online professional training course “Gamified Antisemitism”, organized by the Brandenburg Office on Antisemitism (fab) and the Documentation and Information Centre on Anti-Semitism Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (DIA.MV). |
| 22 April 2024 – Presentation: RadiGaMe – Radicalization on Gaming Platforms and Messenger Services at the Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) Scientific Advisory Board Meeting 2024 (22–23 April 2024) – together with Prof. Dr. Julian Junk. Frankfurt am Main, Germany. |
| 08 March 2024 – Presentation: Extremist Activism on Gaming and Gaming-Adjacent Platforms: A Brief Exploration of Relevant Platforms and Channels on the panel “Radicalisation Phenomena on Gaming Platforms” at MOTRA-K (“Monitoring System and Transfer Platform for Radicalization” Conference) #24 (7–8 March 2024) – together with Lars Wiegold. Wiesbaden, Germany. |
| 16 June 2023 – Presentation: An Overview of Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities at the conference “Digitalisation, Social Media, Societal Consequences and Antisemitism”, organized by the International Institute for Education and Research on Antisemitism (IIBSA) and the Institute for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (ISCA) at Indiana University, in cooperation with the Jewish Community of Berlin and the Indiana University Europe Gateway. Berlin, Germany. |
| 13 December 2022 – Presentation: Antisemitism in Video Game Communities at the event “Antisemitism in Popular Culture and Video Game Communities”, organized by the Interessenverband Fantasy und Science Fiction (IVFSF) and the Young Forum (JuFo) of the German-Israeli Society (DIG) Hamburg. |
| 02 December 2022 – Presentation and reader contribution: Antisemitism in Digital Gaming Communities at the founding workshop of the Working Group Sociology of Digital Games within the German Sociological Association (GSA), organized in cooperation with the GSA Section “Media and Communication Sociology” and the Section “Media, Science & Technology” of the Giessen Graduate Centre for Social Sciences, Business, Economics and Law (GGS). |
| 01 November 2016 – Poster: “Look Here, There’s Stigma” – What Influence Does the Reputation of Urban Districts Have on Place Attachment? in the poster collection resulting from the survey conducted as part of the teaching research project “Social Inequality in Berlin” (course Empirical Social Research I + II, 2015/16), supervised by Ferdinand Geißler and Andrej Holm at the Department of Social Sciences (ISW), Humboldt University of Berlin (HU) – together with Paul Bochtler, Lea-Marie de Boor, Camille Ionescu, and Jondis Schwartzkopff. Available online at: www.sowi.hu-berlin.de/de/lehrbereiche/empisoz/forschung/lehrforschungsprojekte/erhebung2015/postersammlung_-_esf_15_16.pdf |
Interviews
| Röhmel, Joseph (2026): Radikalisierung von Jugendlichen: Die Macht der Islamisten im Netz. In: Tagesschau, ARD, 19 September 2026. Available online at: https://www.tagesschau.de/inland/gesellschaft/islamismus-radikalisierung-social-media-gaming-100.html |
| Röhmel, Joseph (2026): Gaming und Tiktok – wie Islamisten Jugendliche im Netz radikalisieren. In: Der Funkstreifzug, BR24, ARD Sounds, 16 September 2026. Available online at: https://www.ardsounds.de/episode/urn:ard:episode:c6c21652e2f85210/ |
| Arémi, Jasmin (2026): „Gaming culture is being used to stir up Antisemitism”. In: Mena-Talk, Mena-Watch. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2noKVXSxrM0 Or as the original German-language version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctPRRWwOP9Q Or as an shortened article on the Mena-Watch website: https://mena-watch.com/gaming-kultur-antisemitische-mobilisierung/ |
| Matinjanin, Nino (2026): Radikalisierung auf Gaming-Plattformen mit Constantin Winkler. In: Game Based Podcast, Media Authority of Baden-Württemberg (LFK) and ComputerSpielSchule Stuttgart, Season 5, Episode 8, 01 July 2026. Available online at: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1907701/episodes/19418636 |
| Hoole, Ulrike and Braune, Frederik (2026): Spielräume für Extremismus? Islamistischer Antisemitismus in Gaming-Kulturen. In: KN:IX talks, Episode #40. Available online at: https://kn-ix-talks.podigee.io/41-folge-40-spielraume-fur-extremismus |
| Schulze Buschoff, Carla „RayaOnAir“ und Antonia „Starletnova“ (2026): Follow-up Interview at the German Computer Game Awards (DCP) 2026, 29 April 2026 – together with Matthias Heider. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/2W3bnqyoqp0?si=KDwQrtuaBVWmGHWP&t=18264 (from 5:04:24) |
| Bauerfeind, Katrin and Bosse, Uke (2026): Presentation of the Jury’s Special Award to the RadiGaMe Research Consortium at the German Computer Game Awards (DCP) 2026, 29 April 2026 – together with Matthias Heider and a laudatory speech by Sabiha Ghellal. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/live/2W3bnqyoqp0?si=Oxal9dFKpYDfBAKn&t=11470 (from 3:11:10) |
| Interview with Sven Kästner on Extremism in Computer Games (2026). In: Quarks – Wissenschaft und mehr, Zukunft – Wildtiere – Walpurgisnacht, ARD Science Editorial Team, 29 April 2026 – together with Linda Schlegel and Julian Junk. Available online at: https://www.ardsounds.de/episode/urn:ard:episode:0d2772051f3fb448/ (from 1:04:05) |
| Dietrich, Martin (2026): Lügen, Verzerren & Dominieren: Russlands Propaganda-Videospiele. In: Decode Spezial, Decode, 26 January 2026. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8J88V6K1aE Or including an article on the Decode website: https://steady.page/de/decode/posts/c9e9d283-887a-45e1-a2ed-9d6894650c35 |
| Feuer, Hannah (2026): This gaming platform has ‘zero tolerance’ for antisemitism. Holocaust reenactments keep reappearing anyway. Roblox users persistently share antisemitic content through coded language. In: The Forward, 13 January 2026. Available online at: https://forward.com/news/796887/roblox-holocaust-antisemitism-video-game/ |
| Arémi, Jasmin (2025): Islamist influence in online gaming: New recruitment strategies. In: Mena-Talk, Mena-Watch. Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PtNL44ALNxY Or as the original German-language version: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1SIzwy2TBY Or including an article on the Mena-Watch website: https://www.mena-watch.com/islamismus-und-radikalisierung-im-gaming/ |
| Glaus, Daniel (2025): Gewalttätiger Rechtsextremismus in der Schweiz. In: Tagesschau, 25 July 2025: Main Edition, Swiss Radio and Television (SRF). Available online at: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/tagesschau/video/tagesschau-vom-25-07-2025-hauptausgabe?urn=urn:srf:video:e452b64a-f096-43b0-8271-f4fc89bc6ef9 (from minute 03:31) |
| Interview with Tina Hauswald on Radicalization in Gaming. In: DASDING, Südwestrundfunk (SWR), 12.06.2025. Available here. |
| Interview with the Jewish Forum for Democracy and Against Antisemitism (JFDA) as part of the documentary film Antisemitismus erkennen – von den Wurzeln bis zur digitalen Welt (2025). Available online at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=73PiEzyxXRE |
| Winter, Marek (2025): Jung, Flüchtling, Islamist. In: Jungle World, 6 March 2025. Available online at: https://jungle.world/artikel/2025/10/internet-radikalisierung-terror-jung-fluechtling-islamist |
| RE:GAIN (2024): Antisemitismus im Gaming. In: Gaming-Plattformen und Rechtsextremismus – Online-Intervention und -Deradikalisierung (RE:GAIN) – Der Podcast, Violence Prevention Network (VPN), 08.07.2024. Available online at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/regain/episodes/Antisemitismus-im-Gaming-e2lpb1s Or transcript available at: https://violence-prevention-network.digital/wp-content/uploads/Transkript_WinklerAntisemitismus.pdf |
| Schlund, Dominique / Reinker, Simon (2024): Radikalisierung im Internet: Mit TikTok zum IS-Fanatiker. In: 10 vor 10, Swiss Radio and Television (SRF), 19 April 2024. Available online at: https://www.srf.ch/news/gesellschaft/soziale-medien-radikalisierung-im-internet-ein-selbstversuch Or as part of the full broadcast: https://www.srf.ch/play/tv/-/video/-?urn=urn:srf:video:3ba48948-4449-4810-a04e-25da9c87cbf6 (from minute 01:10) |
| GameStar Redaktion (2024): Steam-Kurator Sweet Baby Inc detected: Harmlose Infos oder Hasskampagne? Das steckt hinter der Kontroverse. In: GameStar, 14 March 2024. Available online at: https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/sweet-baby-inc-detected-steam-kurator-hasskampagne,3410163.html |
| Interview with Jörn Albrecht on the Increase in Antisemitic Crimes and the Debate in Germany. In: Der Sonntagmorgen, Bremen Zwei, 22 October 2023. Available here. |
| Beyer, Nora (2023): Hogwarts Legacy analysiert: Ist das Rollenspiel tatsächlich antisemitisch und transfeindlich? In: GameStar, 2 March 2023. Available online at: https://www.gamestar.de/artikel/hogwarts-legacy-analysiert-antisemitisch-transfeindlich,3390390.html |
Selected Reports
| Heider, Matthias (2026): Neues Projekt am ZKSW – „Antisemitismus im Gaming“. In: CrossPlay. Newsletter über Gaming, Radikalisierung und Extremismus, 17 September 2026. Available here. |
| Wagner, Pascal (2026): Constantin Winkler Leads New Project About Anti-Semitism in Gaming. In: GamesMarket, 02 September 2026. Available online at: https://www.gamesmarket.global/constantin-winkler-leads-new-project-about-anti-semitism-in-gaming/ |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 31 August 2026: PRIF goes Gamescom. Constantin Winkler Presents RadiGaMe Research at the International Video and Computer Game Fair. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/prif-goes-gamescom |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 08. Juli 2026: Contemporary Antisemitism. Constantin Winkler at a conference in Haifa. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/contemporary-antisemitism |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 11 May 2026: Between Play and Ideology. Constantin Winkler at the “Radicalization of Young People in Slovakia 3.0” conference in Bratislava. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/between-play-and-ideology |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 30 April 2026: “Precise, Thorough, and Highly Relevant”. RadiGaMe receives special jury prize at the German Computer Game Awards ceremony. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/praezise-systematisch-und-hochrelevant |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 20 April 2026: Gaming For or Against Democracy? Kickoff of the series “Designing Democracy – Designing Peace”. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/gaming-fuer-oder-gegen-die-demokratie |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 11 December 2025: When Hate Joins the Game: Extremism in Digital Gaming Spaces. Presentation of a Report on (Right-wing) Extremism and Online Games by modus | zad with Constantin Winkler, Lars Wiegold, and Linda Schlegel. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/when-hate-joins-the-game-extremism-in-digital-gaming-spaces |
| Wagner, Pascal (2026): BLM and Bavarian Family Ministry Present Gaming Extremism Study. In: GamesMarket, 10 December 2025. Available online at: https://www.gamesmarket.global/blm-and-bavarian-family-ministry-present-gaming-extremism-study/ |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 22 October 2025: Presentation: Anti-Semitism in Gaming Communities. Constantin Winkler at Conference “Critical Examinations of New Media and Anti-Semitism” at the Center for the Study of Anti-Semitism (CSA) at New York University. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/vortrag-antisemitismus-in-gaming-communities |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 28 August 2025: Constantin Winkler on Stage at the NRW Youth Forum at Gamescom. Panel Discussion on Radicalization in Digital Games and Forums. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/constantin-winkler-auf-der-buehne-des-jugendforum-nrw-auf-der-gamescom |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 14 July 2025: Handbook Gaming & Right-Wing Extremism. New anthology examines the connection between right-wing extremism and gaming. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/handbook-gaming-rechtsextremismus |
| Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF), 05 May 2025: Civic Education in the Digital Realm. Constantin Winkler at BMBF expert talks and in JFDA documentary. Available online at: https://www.prif.org/en/about-us/news/details/politische-bildung-in-der-digitalen-welt |
Memberships
| Since 2026 – Executive Member, Contemporary Antisemitism Studies Association (CASA) |
| Since 2025 – Postgraduate Fellow, London Centre for the Study of Contemporary Antisemitism (LCSCA) |
| Since 2023 – Member of the Executive Board, Centre for Critical Social Sciences (ZKSW) |
| Since 2023 – Member, Extremism and Gaming Research Network (EGRN) |
| Since 2022 – Member, German Sociological Association (GSA) Founding Member, GSA Working Group on the Sociology of Digital Games Since 2024 – Member, DGS Working Group on Antisemitism Studies |
| 2026 – Associate Fellow, Peace Research Institute Frankfurt (PRIF) |