Isel Ras

AVERT Network Coordinator

Research Area Keywords
Hateful extremism; conflict resolution; community-based approaches; prevention programs; violent extremism.

Contact: isel.ras@deakin.edu.au

About Isel

Isel is the Coordinator of the AVERT Research Network and has over eight years of experience specialising in violent and hateful extremism, conflict resolution, and community-based approaches in Africa. Her work focuses on understanding how local practitioners and community-based organizations identify the drivers of violent extremism and design prevention programs. Isel’s research promotes the integration of mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) into the prevention of violent extremism (PVE) as well as trauma-informed approaches to the rehabilitation and reintegration of former combatants. Before moving to Australia in March 2024, Isel worked as a researcher and project coordinator for the Institute for Security Studies (Pretoria, South Africa) and the Institute for Strategic Dialogue's Strong Cities Network (UK).