Debra Smith

Professor Debra Smith is an internationally recognised expert on violent extremism. She co-leads the counterterrorism and countering violent extremism research team at Victoria University. Her research program has a particular focus on behavioural indicators of mobilising to politically motivated violence, violent extremism diversion and rehabilitation programs, and harm prevention approaches for young people engaging in violent extremism. Debra’s research program has an applied and translational focus, significantly shaping operational decision-making within countering violent extremism and counterterrorism across Australia and New Zealand. She has trained over 1000 frontline counterterrorism and countering violent extremism practitioners on processed to detect and disrupt targeted violence, and to manage violent extremism threats through diversion and rehabilitation. Debra has published widely in academic journals on the topics of terrorism and violent extremism, co-edited the first book on Australia’s contemporary far right and has written multiple operational manuals, handbooks and eLearns for frontline practitioners.