Dialogue & Deradicalisation

By engaging in dialogue with those most vulnerable to extremist ideologies, they can be walked back from the edge of violence.

For over 15 years, ISD has worked on the forefront of deradicalisation efforts across the ideological spectrum. We do this through a range of programmes underpinned by rigorous research into the drivers of radicalisation.

Counter Conversations
Violent extremists increasingly use peer-to-peer messaging to engage potential recruits on social media. ISD’s Counter Conversations initiative uses a similar approach to dissuade and disengage extremist sympathisers online. Using digital tools which utilise publicly available information, we map and locate users expressing extremist sentiment online. Our intervention providers then engage identified individuals in constructive, personalised online conversations, offering a positive alternative and deterring them from joining violent extremist groups.

Our intervention providers consist of former extremists, survivors of extremist violence and counsellors. The former extremists and survivors who initiate these conversations are drawn from our Against Violent Extremism (AVE) network – the largest network of former extremists and survivors of extremism in the world. These individuals have the credibility and insight needed to carry out these highly sensitive conversations with radicalised individuals online.

Against Violent Extremism Network
ISD’s Against Violent Extremism (AVE) network is a unique and powerful global force in the ongoing struggle to tackle violent extremism. By connecting former extremists with survivors of extremist attacks, the AVE network leverages the lessons, experiences and connections of individuals who have dealt first-hand with extremism. The unique experiences of AVE members enables them to push back against extremist narratives and prevent the radicalisation of others.

Latest Publications

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ISD’s Dialogue & Deradicalisation team

Moustafa Ayad

Executive Director; Africa, the Middle East and Asia (AMEA)

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Moustafa Ayad is the Executive Director for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia (AMEA) at ISD, with more than 15 years worth of experience designing, developing, and deploying multi-faceted counter extremism projects in conflict and post-conflict environments across AMEA. He has experience in Iraq, Afghanistan, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Kenya, Senegal, as well the United States, with a range of government and non-governmental partners on violent extremism, conflict resolution and strategic communications. Moustafa’s research on hybrid extremism and the use of social media platforms by extremist groups and their supporters has been featured in the Associated Press, BBC, The Times, VICE, CNN, NPR, Wired, and The Daily Beast.

Rashad Ali

Senior Fellow

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Rashad Ali is a Senior Fellow at ISD. Rashad is a counter terrorism practitioner who works on deradicalisation initiatives alongside Prisons, Probation Services, Police and community groups. He was formerly a national leadership member of Hizb ut-Tahrir, the revolutionary Islamist organisation and has been actively involved in undermining its extreme ideology and perversion of Muslim faith since his departure. As a researcher he has given testimony and contributed submissions to the Home Affairs Select Committee on Radicalisation, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Intelligence and has briefed the London Mayor's office on Counter Terrorism and has been consulted by think tanks and governments in Germany, Denmark, the EU and the US. He is an external lecturer for Derby University’s Master Class courses on Radicalisation and Counter Terrorism. He has written for The Observer, The Guardian, The Telegraph, The Independent, The Times, Dissent Magazine, Birlingske in Denmark, Conservative Home, and given commentary for Newsnight, BBC News. He is the author of Islam, Shariah and the Far Right published by Demoqratiya journal, A Guide to Refuting Jihadism published by HJS and EFD, and the author of the ISD report Blasphemy, Charlie Hebdo, and the Freedom of Belief and Expression. He is classically trained in Islamic theology and jurisprudence and Modern studies in Islam. He studied at al-Azhar University, Cairo, and the Markfield Institute.

Jacob Davey

Director of Policy & Research, Counter-Hate

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Jacob Davey is the Director of Research & Policy for Far-right and Hate Movements at ISD. Jacob has managed projects focusing on online hate speech, the international far-right and political violence. He has led a number of projects piloting novel models for identifying extremist conversation and hate speech online, including analysis tracking hate groups in the UK, USA, Canada and Australia, and is currently leading a major programme of work mitigating hate threats in the US. He has advised national and local policymakers on right-wing extremism, including the Home Affairs Select Committee and the Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament. Jacob has managed and co-authored numerous ISD reports including Between Conspiracy and Extremism: A Long COVID Threat?, ISD’s Gaming and Extremism Series, and A Safe Space to Hate: White Supremacist Mobilisation on Telegram.

Charlotte Moeyens

Senior Manager, Networks & Civic Action

Charlotte Moeyens is a Senior Manager, Networks & Civic Action, at ISD, sitting in the central Resources and Methods team to support with the collation and distribution of counter-extremism best practice, overseeing the development and international delivery of training modules, materials and resources for practitioners and civil society. She has supported the delivery of the Google.org Impact Challenge on Safety in Europe, Africa Online Safety Fund and Mayor of London’s Shared Endeavour Fund. Most recently, she is working with the McCain Institute to develop and build the capacity of a US Prevention and Intervention Practitioners Network. Charlotte also forms part of the Strong Cities Network's (SCN) Central Management Unit, and is co-author of the SCN's Multi-Agency Models for Preventing Violent Extremism: A Guidebook for Bangladesh, as well as ISD reports YouthCAN: The Many States of Activism and Women, Girls and Islamist Extremism.

Hadiya Masieh

Fellow

Hadiya Masieh is an expert in the area of community cohesion, interfaith relations, counter extremism, and women’s involvement in extremism. She has been a counter extremism consultant for various Governments and NGOs in the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Denmark, and Spain. She has also worked with non-profit and commercial organisations including Google Jigsaw. She was appointed to the UK government’s “National Muslim Women’s Advisory Group” which advised senior government officials on theological development, community cohesion, and empowering women from ethnic minorities. Hadiya was one of the authors of the report “Radicalisation and violent extremism-focus on women: How women become radicalised and how to empower them to prevent Radicalisation”, which was produced the European Parliament committee on Women’s Rights and Gender equality. Hadiya was an ambassador for Women Without Borders promoting counter extremism narratives and facilitating discussions within conflict areas. She was appointed to the board of the internationally renowned and award winning peacekeeping organisation The Bereaved Families Forum based in Palestine and Israel, promoting their message of peace within conservative Jewish and Islamic Institutions in the UK. Hadiya was one of the first women to work on the UK channel programme where she has worked closely with scores of women affected by radical and extremist views. She has been interviewed by Radio 4, BBC World Service, BBC Asian Network, CNN, The Guardian, and Vogue Magazine. Hadiya has worked with ISD as a consultant since 2013 on the One to One programme.