AVERT Engagement with the International Academic Partnerships for Science and Security (IAPSS)
In March 2024, the AVERT Research Network took part in the inaugural conference of the International Academic Partnerships for Science and Security (IAPSS). IAPSS is an international initiative, funded by the US Department of Homeland Security and co-led by the US-based National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE) and the UK-based Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST). The objective of IAPSS is to facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration between research networks among the Five Eyes plus, with a focus on preventing and countering violent extremism and terrorism.
The first IAPSS conference in London on 5-6 March focused on identifying key challenges for both research and practice. It also addressed the challenges and opportunities involved in building sustainable structures to facilitate collaboration between researchers and practitioners There were more than 60 attendees, from 17 research centres, from 12 different countries. Representing AVERT were our Convener Lydia Khalil, Coordinator Nell Bennett and Convener Emeritus Michele Grossman.
The inaugural meeting of the IAPSS consortium, held March 5-6 in London, included more than 60 attendees from 17 research centers across 12 countries. Photo: National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE)
During the gathering, participants focused on addressing two key questions:
· What problems do our nations share?
· And how can we work together to solve them?
Participants identified a number of key research interests shared across borders, such as:
Developing structures to identify and prioritise new and emerging threats
The risk of youth radicalisation
Shared data collection and repositories
Identification of risk and protective factors across countries and time periods
IAPSS has set an ambitious goal to create an international hub for CT/CVE knowledge exchange and provide a structure which will enable researchers to form new and more meaningful relationships with counterparts in different jurisdictions and facilitate collaboration across nations, disciplines, and between academics and practitioners.
AVERT Convener Lydia Khalil said of the time in London, “I was energised by the gathering and grateful for the opportunity to be among such an engaged and dynamic group of researchers and practitioners. It was also a great opportunity to showcase the collective strength of our network and promote Australian based research expertise and innovation. I’m looking forward to AVERT’s continued contribution to IAPSS.”
IAPSS will also contribute to the development of the next generation of researchers through scholarships and bursaries for early career researchers. One of the primary objectives of the project is to support early career researchers to build a sustainable knowledge base for evidence-led CT and CVE and expand their international networks. IAPSS will also soon launch an Early Career Researcher Grant Program. This goal aligns with AVERT’s objective of cultivating the next generation of CT/CVE researchers in Australia and we are complementing this work through our revamped HDR/ERC programs and appointment of an HDR Coordinator.
Another key initiative to come out of the inaugural meeting was the IAPSS Review, an online magazine for CT/CVE research and practitioners where they can publish new research findings and their practical implications. It will be published online via CREST website and distributed through IAPSS and NCITE networks.
The AVERT Network’s participation in the inaugural IAPSS conference speaks to the Network’s position as the premiere CT/CVE research network in the Asia-Pacific region. It also reflects AVERT’s links to international researchers, practitioners and networks. While AVERT continues to be an Australia-based network, around 35% of its research membership now hold international affiliations. As our Network continues to grow in membership and international reach, we look forward to forging new connections and facilitating new research collaboration through IAPSS and other similar initiatives.
