Counter Conversations Initiative
ISD’s Counter Conversations facilitates interventions between former extremists and people at risk of being radicalised online.
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.
By combining the latest digital mapping with our established human networks, these interventions can have a significant impact in preventing extremism.
ISD’s interventions team

Rashad Ali
Resident Senior Fellow


Moustafa Ayad
Executive Director for Africa, the Middle East and Asia (AMEA)

Milo Comerford
Head of Policy & Research, Counter-Extremism

Milo Comerford
Head of Policy & Research, Counter-Extremism

Jacob Davey
Head of Research & Policy, Far-right and Hate Movements

Jacob Davey
Head of Research & Policy, Far-right and Hate Movements
Follow @https://twitter.com/jacob_p_davey