Newswise — WASHINGTON (June 16, 2015)—The George Washington University’s Center for Cyber and Homeland Security on Tuesday announced the establishment of the Program on Extremism, a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at providing analysis on and solutions to countering violent and non-violent extremism.
The program will focus on various forms of extremism, mainly in the U.S., with the goal of conducting groundbreaking research and developing policy solutions that resonate with policymakers, civil society leaders and the general public. The new program will bring together a team of experts, including government officials, scholars, former extremists and counter-extremism practitioners, who will provide firsthand assistance to families grappling with radicalization. Lorenzo Vidino and Seamus Hughes will lead the program.
“The current terrorist climate calls for a dedicated and sustained effort grounded in empirically based research,” said Frank Cilluffo, director for the Center for Cyber and Homeland Security. “I simply cannot think of two stronger scholars and practitioners than Lorenzo Vidino and Seamus Hughes to lead this program and ensure we respond more effectively.”
Dr. Vidino is director of the program. Dr. Vidino is an expert in terrorist networks in the West and governmental counter-radicalization policies. He is the author of various books, including “The New Muslim Brotherhood in the West,” published in 2010 by Columbia University Press. Dr. Vidino is a graduate of the University of Milan Law School and Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
The program’s deputy director is Seamus Hughes. Mr. Hughes previously worked at the National Counterterrorism Center and the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee focusing on issues related to terrorism and Countering Violent Extremism.
The recently established Center for Cyber and Homeland Security at GW integrates the activities and personnel of the Homeland Security Policy Institute and the GW Cybersecurity Initiative. The center builds on the longstanding track record of these two entities and engages in policy-relevant research and analysis on critical issues and challenges related to cybersecurity, counterterrorism and homeland security. The center is governed by a board of directors and a policy and research advisory committee and its work is supported by a group of non-resident senior fellows.
Media InterviewsDr. Vidino and Mr. Hughes are available for media interviews. GW’s Flash Studio, a state-of-the-art broadcast studio, is available for remote, live or taped television and radio interviews. The studio is operated in partnership with VideoLink. The George Washington University In the heart of the nation’s capital with additional programs in Virginia, the George Washington University was created by an Act of Congress in 1821. Today, GW is the largest institution of higher education in the District of Columbia. The university offers comprehensive programs of undergraduate and graduate liberal arts study, as well as degree programs in medicine, public health, law, engineering, education, business and international affairs. Each year, GW enrolls a diverse population of undergraduate, graduate and professional students from all 50 states, the District of Columbia and more than 130 countries.
-GW-
RSS