Using Twitter data to analyse the spatial patterns of online anti-immigration sentiment in the UK

There is a growing academic literature examining anti-immigration sentiment posted onto social media platforms, with evidence emerging of its impact on rises in “real physical” incidents of hate. Despite this, little is understood about the spatial pattern of the production of online anti-immigration content and contextual factors contributing to shaping its spatial configuration. This study aims to use Twitter data and natural language processing to analyse spatial patterns of online sentiment towards immigration across sub-regional areas of the UK, and identify key demographic and contextual factors associated with the production of anti-immigration sentiment on social media platforms.