PEOPLE, PLACES AND SPACES: NEW DYNAMICS AND SHIFTING RESPONSES TO VIOLENT EXTREMISM

In recent years there have been demographic shifts in the people drawn to or participating in violent extremism, the places they come from and the spaces where they participate in and mobilise to violence. The age range of those involved in violent extremist movements and networks has now expanded to include both younger and older cohorts. Violent extremist networks and movements are emerging in rural and semi-rural locales in addition to urban/suburban areas that formerly produced the greatest concentrations of violent extremist engagement.  In addition to offline mobilisation and participation, there has been significant growth and diversification in the virtual spaces where violent extremism manifests including enhanced virtual spaces, like the metaverse and other virtual realities, which blur the dichotomy between online and offline spaces and behaviours. These shifting dynamics present new challenges for P/CVE analysis, policy and practice, including how we identify, prevent or address emerging threats within this space.  

This year’s symposium invites proposals that explore various dimensions of these shifting dynamics around people, places and spaces.  We welcome proposals that provide insights into what these emerging dynamics mean for violent extremism risk and threat analysis and their implications for policy and practitioner responses.

Proposals that highlight academic-practitioner collaboration, reflect on or offer policy and practice-based guidance or otherwise demonstrate policy and/or practice relevance are encouraged.

Symposium Information

Proposal Themes

Proposals may address, but are not limited to the following questions and topics:

• What factors might be associated with or impact on these changing dynamics in people, places and/or spaces? For example:

  • How do shifting demographics in those drawn to or involved in violent extremism relate to the ‘mainstreaming’ of misinformation, anti-government/democratic and extremist narratives/ideas?

  • How might we understand the different influence and recruitment strategies that are targeting these changing demographics in relation to age, place and space?

  • How might broader societal and global trends and issues relate to or impact on these changing dynamics in people, places and/or spaces?

•  How can different disciplines, theories and evidence bases inform our understanding and approaches to addressing these issues

• What challenges do these changing dynamics in people, places and/or spaces pose for analysis, policy and practice? For example:

  • Are different strategies needed for developing P/CVE responses for younger and older groups of actors?

  • For different kinds of places (for example, rural-regional v urban/suburban) or spaces (for example, virtual platforms v offline settings)?

  • What, if any, nexus exists between people, places and spaces (e.g. young people and gaming platforms) and what are the challenges posed for P/CVE? 

  • How might different demographics inform thresholds and types of intervention?  What principles or factors guide us to respond under what circumstances?

  • In what ways might the threat assessment ecosystem, evidence base, and practice adapt in response to the changing dynamics of violent extremist people, places and spaces?

  • What are the implications for law enforcement in how they police emerging threats?

  • In light of these changing dynamics, how might policy respond in a way that is proportionate to the threat posed yet balances the need to uphold democratic principles and rights?

• What comparative insights might be drawn on in dealing with these challenges across different countries?

• What might the future threat landscape for violent extremism look like a few years from now, based on the changing dynamics we are currently seeing in people, places and/or spaces?

Format

The 2024 AVERT Research Symposium is an in-person event at Deakin University’s Deakin Downtown Campus, Tower 2, Level 12/727 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3008, Australia. Overseas presenters can register to present online via Zoom. Australian presenters under some circumstances may also be able to present online at the discretion of the Conference Organising Committee.

Submissions

Proposals are invited for individual papers, panels, workshops, interactive sessions and presentations aligned with the above topics and themes. We also encourage submissions of discussion panels, interactive sessions and workshops. Please submit details and abstracts to: adi-avert@deakin.edu.au by C.O.B. Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST), 3 June 2024.

Individual papers are traditional academic papers of a maximum of 20 minutes, not including question time. Please include the name and title of presenter/s along with a 300-word maximum abstract.

Panels consist of a few papers of a maximum of 15 minutes each, not including question time, that address a common question or research/policy area. Please provide the title of the panel, names of the panel organisers, details of the presenters (name, title and paper abstracts) as well as both 1) a 300-word maximum abstract for the panel and 2) individual paper abstracts (200-word maximum). Panels may have a maximum of 4 presenters (including panel chair). We encourage panels that combine academic and practitioner contributors.

Roundtables and Discussion Panels allow for shorter presentations (maximum 5-7 minutes each) and curated discussions led by a chair (approximately 25 minutes in total). Please provide a 150-word maximum abstract and presentation title. This format may be best suited for policy, community, or industry stakeholders or for work with a policy-oriented focus.

Interactive Sessions or Workshops can be a maximum of 45 minutes, these sessions are meant to be interactive and let by a facilitator.  These sessions are designed to encourage dialogue, collaboration and exploration of an issue related to the conference themes. Please provide a 150 maximum abstract and title. Indicate how this session will be conducted and identify the lead discussant and facilitator and what interactive techniques or elements will be used.  

All proposals should include:

• Abstract and presentation title (refer to word limits in presentation categories above)

• Names, titles and institutional affiliations of presenters/authors

• Headshot/photo of each presenter

• A 150-word maximum bio for each presenter

• Contact email AND telephone number for each presenter

• Social media handle/s of presenters (if any).

Important dates:

• Abstract submissions close 3 June  2024

• Presenters notified 28 June 2024  

• Symposium registrations open 15 July 2024

• Draft Symposium program available 12 August 2024

• Full Symposium program available 16 September 2024

• Symposium dates 29-31 October 2024

For questions or enquiries please contact AVERT at: adi-avert@deakin.edu.au