Hedayah’s International Research Conference
The Research Conference is a leading global platform for advancing research, policy, and programming on preventing and countering extremism and violent extremism (P/CEVE).
In recognition of the fast-paced and constantly evolving nature of these threats, Hedayah annually convenes researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to share cutting-edge research, methodologies, and analysis; engage in dialogue on emerging trends; and highlight innovative approaches across the field.
Objectives
- Provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to present new research and programming approaches, exchange ideas, engage in productive discussions, and expand their professional networks.
- Create opportunities to collaborate on emerging areas of work and explore innovative solutions to address radicalization and to prevent and counter extremism and violent extremism.
- Identify existing gaps in research and encourage interdisciplinary and multi-stakeholder collaborations to address them.
- Develop recommendations and solutions drawn from new research, evidence, and programmatic learning.
Partners and Location
The Research Conference is held annually and hosted each year in different countries around the world. Hedayah collaborates with a wide range of international stakeholders, including key partners who sponsor or support the event. In its efforts to strengthen international collaboration and promote knowledge-sharing in preventing and countering extremism and violent extremism (P/CEVE), the Research Conference also engages strategic partners, who contribute through funding or in-kind support, including expert participation, session facilitation, and hosting networking events.
Conference Publications
- Conference Brief: Released shortly after the event, these briefs capture key findings, insights, and recommendations shared during the event. It serves as a practical reference for policymakers, practitioners, and researchers working to address extremism and violent extremism.
- Essay Series: Conference speakers are invited to expand on their presentations through written contributions, creating a series of essays which reflect diverse perspectives from across the field, offering in-depth analysis and innovative approaches to countering extremism and violent extremism.
For inquiries, or to explore engagement opportunities, please contact events@hedayah.ae
International Research Conference 2025
Date: 10-12 November 2025
Location: Brussels, Belgium
Hedayah, the International Center of Excellence for Countering Extremism and Violent Extremism, is organizing and hosting its annual International Research Conference for the year 2025 (RC25) in response to present and evolving extremist and violent extremist threats and challenges.
This year’s International Research Conference will be held from 10 to 12 November in Brussels, Belgium, with generous support from the European Union, and in partnership with the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation.
International Research Conference & Communications Expo 2024
Date: 29 October – 1st November
Location: London, UK
In recognition of the fast-paced and constantly evolving nature of extremism and violent extremism and the subsequent need to respond through programming and policies, Hedayah annually convenes leading experts to share new research, methodologies, best practices, and findings for the benefit of the broader community of researchers, practitioners, and policymakers in fields related to countering extremism and violent extremism.
Last year, Hedayah hosted a groundbreaking crossover event that brought together this broad community to consider not only the vital contributions to evidence from research, but cutting-edge approaches from various sectors in countering and preventing extremism and violent extremism through strategic communications interventions. Participants had the opportunity to delve into how evidence and insights from diverse sectors including technology, social behavior change, and strategic communications can be harnessed to innovate and enhance efforts against extremism and violent extremism.
International Research Conference 2023
Dates: 11-13 October 2023
Location: The Hague, The Netherlands
The Conference was hosted by Hedayah in partnership with the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT). The host country for the event was the Netherlands, with kind support from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands. Sponsorship was provided by the United Arab Emirates, the Government of Spain, and the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in the UAE. Strategic Partners included the Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Love Frankie, Tech Against Terrorism, the Alfred Deakin Institute (Deakin University), the RESOLVE Network, Mythos Lab, the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC), Albany Associates, and the Policing Institute for the Eastern Region (Anglia Ruskin University).
For more information, please contact Hedayah at research.conference@hedayah.ae
International Research Conference 2022
Dates: 23-25 May 2022
Location: Granada, Spain
The Conference was co-hosted by Hedayah, the Euro-Arab Foundation, the European Institute for Counter Terrorism and Conflict Prevention, Global Internet Forum to Counter Terrorism, Moonshot, United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism and University of Granada. The Government of Spain sponsored the Conference.
International Research Conference 2020 & 2021
Due to COVID-19 pandemic and to ensure the safety of the community, we postponed the 2020 and 2021 Conferences to 2022.
International Research Conference 2019
Dates: 8-10 October 2019
Location: Melbourne, Australia
This Conference was co-organized by Hedayah, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Alfred Deakin Institute-Deakin University, Addressing Violent Extremism and Radicalization to Terrorism (AVERT) Network, and Deakin University’s School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The Government of Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, EU-STRIVE Global (Hedayah) and the Victoria State Government sponsored the Conference.
Outcomes:
International Research Conference 2018
Dates: 29-31 August 2018
Location: Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom
This Conference was co-organized by Hedayah, M&C Saatchi, TRENDS Research and Advisory, Swansea University, and UN Women. It was sponsored by the Government of Spain, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, and EU-STRIVE Global (Hedayah).
Outcomes
International Research Conference 2017
Dates: 30 October-1 November 2017
Location: Antalya, Turkey
This conference was co-organized by Hedayah, the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the Center for Middle Eastern and Strategic Studies (ORSAM). The Conference was sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Republic of Turkey.
Outcomes:
International Research Conference 2016
Dates: 6-8 December 2016
Location: Jakarta, Indonesia
This conference was co-organized by Hedayah, Edith Cowan University and the UN Development Programme (UNDP). Additional partners included Swansea University, the Wahid Institute, RUSI, and Coventry University. It was sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Government of Spain.
Outcomes:
International Research Conference 2015
Dates: 6-8 December 2015
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
This conference was co-organized by Hedayah, Edith Cowan University and New York University Abu Dhabi. It was sponsored by the European Commission.
Outcome:
International Research Conference 2014
Dates: 7-8 December 2014
Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE
The first conference was co-organized by Hedayah, Curtin University, and People Against Violent Extremism (PaVE). It was sponsored by the Australian Government, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the US Department of State.
Outcome: