Event: Demystifying Radicalisation – what makes a terrorist?
What makes a young man or woman want to travel to Iraq to join Islamic State? What motivates so-called 'lone wolves' to plan acts of terrorist violence in Australia? The Lowy Institute is pleased to host distinguished Australian academic Dr Anne Aly to explore these and other questions as she examines why some individuals and groups transition from radical thought to violent extremism.
Date and Time:
Tuesday, 9 June 2015 | 12:30pm for 12:45pm to 1:45pm
Anne (Azza) Aly is Associate Professor at Curtin University with a focus on radicalization, counter terrorism and countering violent extremism. Anne leads the Countering Online Violent Extremism Research (COVER) Program at the Centre for Culture and Technology at Curtin University. Her research focuses on the use of social media by violent extremists and strategies to interrupt online activities including understanding of the audience and the role of victims and formers in counter narratives to extremism. She has written over 50 publications on topics ranging from Islamic identity to counter narratives and the policy response to violent extremism. Anne is the author of four books including Terrorism and Global Security: Historical and Contemporary Perspectives (Palgrave Macmillan). She was appointed to the board of the Council for Australian Arab Relations in 2009 and is currently serving a second term on the board. Also in 2009, she received the Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers publications award for her theoretical model of internet radicalization. In 2011, Anne was inducted into the inaugural WA Women’s Hall of Fame for her contributions to national security and counter terrorism. In 2013 she was named one of WA’s 50 most successful women by SCOOP magazine and one of Australia’s most influential women in the Financial Review/ Westpac 100 Women of Influence Awards. Anne is also the Founding Chair of People Against Violent Extremism (PAVE) a not for profit organization focused on empowering communities to challenge violent extremism.
