Structure & Governance
The AVERT Research Network was established in 2018 by Professor Michele Grossman and colleagues at Deakin University. Professor Grossman co-convened the Network with Lydia Khalil from 2022 to 2024. From 2024, Lydia Khalil served as sole Convenor and was joined by Co-Convenor Professor Julian Droogan in August 2024. In 2025, Professor Grossman became Co-Convenor alongside Professor Droogan. AVERT membership, including representation on its Executive and Steering Committees, is multi-institutional.
The Network is administratively supported by the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI) at Deakin University. Since 2020, the Network has received annual funding from the Australian Government Department of Home Affairs to support specified program activities, advisory expertise and research capacity building.
AVERT's work is guided by an Executive Committee and a Steering Committee. The Steering Committee provides high-level strategic advice to the Convenors and Executive on the goals and operations of the Network. The Executive Committee manages the day-to-day design and implementation of AVERT activities and contributes to strategic planning and development.
Convenors
Executive Committee
Professor Greg Barton
Professor Greg Barton, Research Professor in Global Islamic Politics
Deakin University
Ms Lydia Khalil
AVERT Convenor, Senior Research Fellow
Deakin University and The Lowy Institute
Dr Emily Corner
Dr Emily Corner, Associate Professor
Australian National University
Dr Jared Dmello
Dr Jared Dmello, Senior Lecturer in Criminology
University of Adelaide
Mr Mark Duckworth
Mr Mark Duckworth, Senior Research Fellow
Centre for Resilient and Inclusive Societies, Alfred Deakin Institute, Deakin University
Dr Vivian Gerrand
Dr Vivian Gerrand, Post Doctoral Research Fellow
Deakin University
Dr. Keiran Hardy
Dr. Keiran Hardy, Associate Professor
Griffith University
Professor Winnifred Louis
Professor Winnifred Louis, Professor in Psychology
University of Queensland
Dr Imogen Richards
Dr Imogen Richards, Lecturer
Deakin University
Associate Professor Matteo Vergani
Deakin University
Dr Helen Young
Associate Professor Helen Young
Deakin University
