Countering Violent Extremism (CVE)
Synergies between “Hard” and “Soft” Interventions Against Online Extremism: An Agent‑Based Simulation and Cost–Benefit Analysis
May 7, 2026This study explores the synergies between two complementary interventions for countering online extremism: deplatforming, a “hard” intervention that involves removing extremist users from online platforms, and inoculation, a “soft” intervention that exposes users to weakened forms of extremist arguments to build resistance. We developed an agent-based model to simulate the diffusion and control of online ...
Into the Fog of Digital Delusion: The Lighthouse Paradox and the Rise of Far-right Extremism in Australia
May 7, 2026This thesis examines how extremist far-right recruiters communicate online to support Australia’s countering violent extremism (CVE) early detection efforts. It argues that current strategies—while sometimes effective—overlook online spaces as primary recruitment sites, focus too heavily on detecting already-radicalised individuals, and rely on oversimplified root-cause models. Further, it contends that detection is hindered by representational biases ...
Policing Extremism on Gaming Adjacent Platforms: Awful but Lawful?
August 22, 2025Since the inception of video games, extremist groups have been able create, modify, and weaponise this media for activism and their campaigns. More recently, however, the emergence of gaming-adjacent platforms (most notably Discord, Twitch and Steam) has become a key organisational tool for recruitment and community-building; something that policing communities all over the world have ...
Youth, Counter Violent Extremism and (Social) Media: A Case of Pakistan
April 29, 2025The paper explores the role of social media on positive youth development and engagement towards peacebuilding in Pakistan. In particular, it recognizes the role of youth within the liberal peace process, hence, sustainably aiding peacebuilding efforts. The paper argues that within developing democracies, media and youth can create an environment to promote dialogue and collaborative ...
Being one step ahead: How platforms (can) counter terrorism online
April 29, 2025VOX-Pol Blog post. ...
Countering Violent Extremism Online Understanding Adversity And Adaptation In An Increasingly Complex Digital Environment
April 25, 2025In this report, we have sought to understand how violent extremists behave across an increasingly complex online ecosystem and consider the implications for how online violent extremism (VE) activity can be countered. We interrogated the variety of measures, behaviours and technology platforms that are being used by violent extremists internationally. In so doing, we identified ...
PROTOCOL: Effectiveness of Educational Programmes to Prevent and Counter Online Violent Extremist Propaganda in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, German and Scandinavian Language Studies: A Systematic Review
April 24, 2025This protocol outlines a systematic review that aims to understand the effectiveness of educational programmes, delivered both online and offline, designed to prevent and counter the effects of online violent extremist propaganda in multiple languages. The primary objective is to assess the impact of interventions on reducing violent extremist attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. A secondary ...
Communication Strategies to Counter Violent Extremism in Pakistan
March 4, 2025Purpose – Violent extremism has disrupted the social harmony of many countries all over the globe. Pakistan has been marked as an extremist state, becoming one of Pakistan’s biggest challenges. This study aims to look at the strategic communication on countering violent extremism in Pakistan. Violent extremism is likely to increase in the environment marked by ...
Foreign and Familiar: Recruitment Pathways of Young People Engaged with Extremism in Australia
February 20, 2025It has been established by leaders of the Australian national security community, such as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation and the Australian Federal Police, that young people are being increasingly recruited into extremism. To date, few Australian studies have examined this issue using primary source data. This article seeks to understand the conditions which may ...