Protecting Women Online, The Open University

Project Team:

Dr. Nelli Stavropoulou
Principle Investigator

Prof. Rose Capdevila
Co-Investigator

Prof. Lisa Lazard
Co-Investigator

Project Overview:

BRAVO addresses the critical and under‑researched challenge of preventing online gendered violence in schools. It does so by generating urgently needed insight into how online violence against women and girls (OVAWG), is made sense of, negotiated and challenged by young men and boys to support them in becoming allies and future leaders in the digital space. It does this by extending the focus from extremist misogynistic subcultures to how young men interpret and respond to OVAWG within their everyday mainstream digital environments.

Our work focuses on developing approaches that do not criminalise or problematise young men and boys, effectively undermining or restricting their ability to act as allies and instead positions them as part of the important conversations about how we can make online spaces safer for everyone.

BRAVO will generate new theoretical insight into young men and boys’ sense-making of OVAWG, while producing practical learning resources that align with UK strategic priorities on VAWG prevention, new RSHE curriculum and Online Safety.