The AVERT Research Network
The Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalisation to Terrorism (AVERT) Research Network is a multidisciplinary multi-institutional research network based in Melbourne, Australia supported by Deakin University’s Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI). AVERT members conduct research into a wide array of topics related to terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism. Our Network is comprised of highly engaged and critically informed social science, humanities and multidisciplinary research academics from a variety of universities and research institutions who believe in conducting meaningful evidence-based research for the public good.
We aim to understand and reduce the social harms created by violent extremism
Latest News
AVERT Statement on Bondi Beach 2025 Terrorist Attack
The AVERT Research Network shares the shock and grief of many over the active shooter terrorist attack on Bondi Beach in Sydney on 14 December. The attack targeted members of the Jewish community celebrating the first night of the Hanukkah holiday, killing 15 people and wounding over 40 others.
We extend our deepest sympathies to the victims of this antisemitic attack. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families and friends, and all those affected by this act of hatred and extremism.
In the face of this tragedy, the AVERT Research Network will continue to produce and disseminate research knowledge and insights that can increase understanding of the dynamics that can lead to such attacks, and the prevention strategies that are most effective in stopping or disrupting them.
We will also continue to advocate for all Australians to stand together in unity and reject the hate and violence of those who seek to divide us and damage the social cohesion – never perfect, but always robust – of which Australia may be justly proud.
Sadly, in the aftermath of such a horrific event, disinformation and misinformation can run unchecked both on and off social media and the internet. And events like the Bondi Beach attack can be weaponised in an effort to harness people’s grief and anger for a variety of causes or purposes that seek to harm or deepen rather than heal our wounds.
We stand for evidence and reason in how we respond as a nation to such events, and we oppose the exploitation of tragedies such as this by those who seek to create fissures in Australia’s values and social fabric.
We hope all those who are affected by what has occurred are able to seek and find support and solace in whatever way is most meaningful for them. As an Australian-based network, we are grateful for the many, many messages of support, care and concern we have received from colleagues right around the world, and we pass this care and concern on to those who have been directly affected by these events.
Professors Michele Grossman AM & Julian Droogan
AVERT Research Network Co-Convenors, on behalf of the AVERT Executive Committee
AVERT Submission to the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor (INSLM)
We’re pleased to share AVERT’s October 2025 submission to the INSLM inquiry, which is reviewing whether Australia’s legal definition of terrorism remains fit for purpose more than two decades after 9/11 amid rapidly changing threats.
The INSLM considers whether Australia’s counter-terrorism laws are effective, necessary, proportionate, and consistent with fundamental rights.
The current INSL Monitor, Mr Jake Blight, a former Deputy Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security, recently launched an own-motion inquiry into Australia’s legal definition of a “terrorist act” under section 100.1 of the Criminal Code Act 1995. This definition is significant, as it determines the scope of Australia’s extensive counter-terrorism framework, which includes more than 100 federal laws and hundreds of related state and territory laws in areas such as transport and emergency management, disaster insurance, and critical infrastructure protection.
As part of that objective, members of AVERT’s Executive and Steering Committees recently met with Mr Blight and members of the INSLM team to discuss these issues and have made a written submission to the inquiry that sets out key considerations for the review, including core characteristics of terrorism, the roles of motive and ideology in distinguishing terrorism from other types of crime, the question of ‘religious’ motives for terrorism, the problem of mixed or unclear motives, and the overlaps between terrorism and hate crime.
You can visit the Inquiry homepage here.
You can find the AVERT and other submissions here.
You can find AVERT’s full submission below:
Upcoming Events
December 2025 Newsletter
The second half of 2025 has been a busy and exciting time for the AVERT Research Network as we’ve continued to grow, celebrate new achievements, and host our annual AVERT International Research Symposium. Check out the latest member news and highlights from the second half of 2025!
Latest News
AVERT Commentary
The AVERT Network brings together researchers, community, government and civil society stakeholders to understand and reduce the social harms created by terrorism and violent extremism as well as the effects of counter extremism and counterterrorism implications and impacts on the fabric of our local, national and transnational communities.
AVERT members collaborate with a wide range of community, government and civil society organisations
As an Australian based research network, we remain strongly grounded in our local context while engaging globally with colleagues, institutions and issues and trends
Seminar and Webinar Recordings
AVERT Webinar with Dr Aaron Y Zelin - The Evolution of the Islamic State
JULY 2024
AVERT Webinar with Dr Suraj Lakhani - The nexus between videogaming and violent extremism
AUGUST 29, 2024
AVERT Webinar with Dr Julia Ebner - Is There a Language of Terrorists?
JUNE 12 2024
AVERT Webinar with Professor John Horgan - Terrorist Minds
MAY 9, 2024