ABOUT

Around the world the past decade has seen a dramatic growth in both the threat posed by far-right violent extremism and the anti-democratic influence of authoritarian populism. Australia has not been exempt. Why is this occurring and how should we respond?

Zoom registration for online viewing: This Eventbrite registration is for in-person attendance at Deakin Downtown in Melbourne. If you wish to tune in via Zoom webinar, please register here.

We welcome you to join us at 5.30 pm for refreshments prior to the forum commencing at 6:00 pm.

PANELLISTS

Lydia Khalil

Lydia is a Senior Research Fellow on Transnational Challenges at the Lowy Institute. She has spent her career focusing on the intersection between governance, technology and security. She has a broad range of policy, research and private sector experience and has a professional background in international relations, national security and strategic intelligence analysis, with a particular focus on terrorism and other forms of political violence. Lydia is also an Associate Research Fellow at Deakin University’s Alfred Deakin Institute. She recently published Rise of the Extreme Right: The New Global Extremism and the Threat to Democracy (Penguin, 2022).

Debra Smith

Debra is a Professor at Victoria University. Her research focuses on questions of violent political extremism, social conflict and social change. She has a particular interest in the role of emotion within violent extremism beliefs and action and in translating research for applied outcomes. Debra has extensive experience working with policing, community and government stakeholders to improve knowledge of all kinds of violent extremism and to translate this research into frontline practitioner tools. She provides frontline training for policing, education and community stakeholders on early intervention and diversion from violent extremism.

Greg Barton (moderator)

Prof Greg Barton is Research Professor at ADI. Greg is a regular media commentator on matters of national security and international affairs.

ADI Policy Forums

The Alfred Deakin Institute Policy Forums aim to provide a high-profile platform for the Institute to bring together policy makers, researchers and community members for informed debate on important emerging policy issues. They foster informed debate, engage the public and provide research-led input to policy formation at national, State and regional levels.

Photography consent: Photographs taken during the evening may be used by Deakin University in University publications, promotional material, on the website and in social media.

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