Amidst the challenges of our contemporary crises, there exists a pervasive crisis of trust in collective knowledge, coupled with a seemingly waning faith in democratic principles. This uncertainty has become particularly pronounced as populist solutions no longer remain a peripheral concern in Western industrialized nations; rather, they have become an integral facet of political landscapes (Hiller, 2023, p. 1). The emergence of Post-Truth as the operational modus operandi for far-right political parties (Van Dyk, 2022, p. 30) exacerbates this crisis, casting a shadow over democratic foundations.

Within the context of this pervasive uncertainty, the methodological an empirical focus of our workshop is positioned to delve into the ongoing establishment of this deficit in truth. Our objective is to unravel the intricacies of how this loss of trust perpetuates itself and, more crucially, to discern viable solution strategies through the lens of educational research. In navigating this exploration, questions arise regarding the uncertainties embedded in the research process. These concerns extend beyond the immediate considerations of researchers' personal safety to encompass broader uncertainties related to the epistemological and methodological frameworks that underpin our research endeavors.

Notably, the explicit normative orientation of this workshop is guided by a compelling impetus—to fortify democratic structures and actively counteract the resurgence of anti-emancipatory and anti-democratic impulses. This normative focus positions our collective inquiry as not merely an academic pursuit but a meaningful contribution to the broader societal discourse on safeguarding democratic values. It calls for a critical examination of the forces that challenge democratic principles and seeks to chart a course towards their fortification.

As we grapple with the multifaceted challenges presented by these uncertainties, the workshop aims to cultivate discussions that extend beyond mere acknowledgment. It seeks to illuminate the varied dimensions of this complex landscape—shedding light on the ethical considerations, methodological intricacies, and pragmatic solutions that lie at the heart of our collective pursuit. By actively fostering dialogue around these challenges, we endeavor to pave the way for a comprehensive understanding of the intricacies inherent in organizational education research within uncertain and contested terrains.

Looking ahead, our workshop's concluding call resonates with a forward-looking vision. It advocates for the establishment of a collaborative network, uniting like-minded researchers. This envisioned network, dedicated to addressing challenges, sharing methodological insights, and collectively navigating ethical nuances, aims to be a transformative force in the ongoing exploration of hostile and potentially anti-democratic populations. In embracing these challenges, methodologies, and practices, our collective journey into uncertainty positions us not merely as researchers but as advocates for thoughtful, ethical, and democratic organizational education.

Research Strategies & Methodologies & in Post-Truth & Conspiracies Movements Initial impulses introduce exemplary research settings and methodologies in order to discuss common methodologies, practices, and challenges. We explore and compare a conspiracy belief milieu and an extreme right-wing youth organization (the Anastasia-Movement and the 'Junge Alternative') using an integrative ethnographic approach. It aims to capture the complex manifestations of conspiracy beliefs and their intersection with right-wing ideologies across online and offline realities through constructivist grounded theory methodology (Charmaz, 2014). The research focuses on three thematic complexes: 1) the interplay between conspiracy beliefs/right-wing ideologies and identity constructions, 2) the social organization of these groups, and 3) the appropriation and distribution of these stocks of knowledge (Berger & Luckmann, 2016). Unlike most comparable ethnographies, this work emphasizes both individual and organizational learning processes, highlighting their dialectical relationship. A second context refers to problematic of high violence against communal politicians and a third impulse adresses online research methodologies for analyzing hate speech and cyberbullying. Focusing on the investigation of hostile-minded groups, uncertainty in these research projects manifests in manifold forms: 1) The described issues pose risks to modern democracies on their own, 2) these risks significantly impact education itself, where education typically aims to empower individuals to address these problems, and 3) researchers also find themselves in an uncertain situation when studying corresponding anti-democratic populations. In addition to the evident uncertainty surrounding personal safety and well-being, a multitude of unanswered questions arises in the context of the research. How does one successfully obtain access to closed and clandestine groups? What ethical considerations come into play when a researcher's role necessitates undercover investigations? Establishing and maintaining reliable research relationships poses its own set of challenges. Furthermore, how do we effectively address the 'values gap' that may exist between researchers and those being studied? These complex issues underscore the intricate nature of the research process and demand thoughtful consideration and ethical reflection. After entering the field, the question arises regarding the validity and reliability of the data uncovered. How can one trust the data when interviewing individuals who may harbor a general hostility towards science? Ultimately, we ponder the role organizational research can play in safeguarding democratic institutions and how successful knowledge transfer can occur. This research explicitly positions itself in the service of society, aspiring to propose practical solutions to address the crisis of truth and democracy.

The research workshop concludes , that it seems very necessary to reflect the challenges, methodologies, and practices inherent in our collective pursuit. Driven by the overarching theme of uncertainty, our workshop aims to present, elaborate, and discuss the multifaceted aspects that demand our (methodological) attention. There are numerous obstacles we encounter in examining specific groups, particularly those marked by hostile tendencies. Navigating access to closed and covert communities and addressing the 'values gap' that separates researchers from subjects pose intricate and multifaceted challenges in our endeavors. These hurdles underscore the imperative for thorough consideration and ethical scrutiny throughout the entire research process. Our collaborative efforts will not only highlight challenges but also aim to spark discussions around suitable methodologies. The exploration of (for example) integrative ethnographic approaches, grounded theory methodology, and the careful consideration of epistemological foundations is intended to enrich our methodological focus. The diversity of perspectives presented during the workshop aims to encourage us to embrace a range of paradigmatic claims in addressing uncertainty in organizational education research. As we delve into the complexities of our research, the importance of discussing research ethics becomes necessary. The uncertainties surrounding personal safety, ethical considerations on undercover investigations, and the values inherent in our research relationships demand ethical scrutiny. Our commitment to safeguarding democratic institutions necessitates a thorough exploration of the ethical dimensions entwined in our work. Looking forward, our concluding call is to consider the formation of a network of like-minded researchers. Together, we can collaboratively develop answers to important questions, share insights into effective methodologies, and collectively address the ethical nuances that shape our research on hostile and possible anti-democratic populations. In embracing the challenges, methodologies, and practices, our collective journey into uncertainty positions us not only as researchers but as advocates for thoughtful, ethical, and democratic organizational education.

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