Biography:
Megan Squire is a professor of computer science at Elon University, known for her research and expertise in the field of right-wing political extremism online. Born and raised in a conservative Christian household near Virginia Beach, Virginia, Squire developed an early interest in computers and technology. She attended the College of William & Mary, where she pursued a double major in art history and public policy. After completing her undergraduate studies, Squire took a secretarial job at an antivirus software company, further fueling her passion for technology.
Eager to expand her knowledge and pursue a career in academia, Squire went on to earn her Ph.D. from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. Following her doctoral studies, she began working at a startup in North Carolina before finding her calling in teaching at Elon University. Squire’s academic journey provided her with a diverse skill set, combining her background in art history and public policy with her technological expertise.
Squire’s research is centered around the impact of online extremism and its manifestation in social media networks. She has conducted extensive studies on platforms such as Telegram and Facebook, shedding light on the ways in which these tools shape and mediate extremist ideologies. In 2018, her research focused on anti-Muslim Facebook groups, in which she used Facebook’s Graph API to compile a dataset of 700,000 members from over 1,870 open and closed groups. This dataset encompassed diverse ideologies ranging from anti-Muslim to white nationalist and neo-Confederate.
Her findings revealed a strong correlation between membership in these groups, indicating that anti-Muslim sentiment served as a common denominator for involvement in related extremist communities. Squire’s research has even been referenced in lawsuits against Facebook, highlighting the platform’s failure to address the proliferation of such groups.
Moreover, Squire has explored the ways in which younger generations of far-right extremists utilize video livestreaming and gaming platforms to generate income. Her study in November 2020 demonstrated how influential leaders of the global white nationalist movement collectively raise substantial amounts of money. For instance, her research indicated that Nick Fuentes, a prominent figure within the movement, was earning approximately $326 per day from DLive, equating to around $119,000 per year. Squire’s investigations have drawn attention to the financial ecosystem surrounding these extremist groups, revealing both small individual donations and substantial contributions from dedicated supporters.
Outside of her academic pursuits, Squire has actively engaged in various forms of activism throughout her life. At the age of 15, she joined her school’s environmental club to protest against pollution emitted by an industrial cattle farm. During her tenure at Elon University, Squire participated in anti-war protests against the Iraq War. In 2008, she campaigned for Barack Obama during his presidential bid, expressing hope for change and progressive policies. However, following Obama’s handling of the Great Recession, she became disillusioned with electoral politics and sought alternative means of activism.
While Squire does not identify herself as a member of the Antifa movement, she has been recognized as one of their strongest allies. Her work on right-wing political extremism has aligned her with the movement’s goals of combating fascism and supporting anti-fascist actions. Squire’s dedication to understanding and confronting extremism is driven by a desire for a more inclusive and just society.