Social Media and the Profitability of Hate: Dheepa Sundaram
Contact: Hannah Thompson | (405) 574-1362
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma presents Dr. Dheepa Sundaram, guest speaker of the 2025 Ableson Religious Reconciliation Lecture series.
Join us on September 23rd to experience Dr. Sundaram’s lecture exploring the complex relationship between social media’s profit-driven models and the global rise of transnational Hindu nationalism. This year’s event places focus on how digital platforms have become a breeding ground for hate enclaves, often fueled by the very same engagement metrics that generate advertising revenue.
“I think this is a really great way to understand what’s going on in modern India – but we’re also hearing it from a cutting-edge scholar who’s doing interesting work on things that nobody else is talking about.” Said Zachary Simpson, Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies. “This is more than an interest in world affairs; everything is online now. This is relevant to everyone.”
Dr. Dheepa Sundaram is an associate professor in religious studies at the University of Denver. She studies online hate politics, digital religious publics, and religious nationalism. Her research and publications focus on the formation of Hindu and Hindu nationalist virtual religious publics through internet-based platforms such as social media, apps, virtual reality and artificial intelligence. In 2021, Dr. Sundaram, along with several scholars of South Asia, cofounded the South Asia Scholar Activist Collective (SASAC) to advocate for academic freedom and inclusive politics in South Asia and its diaspora.
The event will be located on the second floor of the university’s Student Center, beginning at 7 p.m. The Event is free and open to the public.
For more information, visit usao.edu/ableson.
About USAO:
The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma is Oklahoma’s only public liberal arts college. Located in Chickasha, USAO is a distinctive institution offering a challenging interdisciplinary curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking, communication, and problem-solving. With a focus on broad-based education and civic responsibility, USAO prepares students to become well-rounded, adaptable leaders ready to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the world.