The head of the research centre on extremism based at King’s is to help lead the fight against violent radicalisation with an appointment to the world’s largest security organisation.

Professor Peter Neumann  has been appointed Special Representative to the Office of the  Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) . He is the Director of the  International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR).

OSCE is the world’s largest regional security organisation working towards global stability, peace and democracy and comprises 57 participating states across three continents. OSCE said the appointment was part of its renewed efforts ‘to address the alarming phenomenon of growing radicalisation and violent extremism, especially among young people.’

Professor Neumann was appointed to the post by OSCE Chairman and Austrian Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz today.

‘We must enhance our common efforts in identifying and addressing root causes and triggers for the seduction and radicalisation of young people. And we must empower our youth to address this phenomenon in our societies.

‘Professor Neumann has led research projects and written influential policy reports about online radicalisation, foreign fighter networks, terrorist defectors, prison-based de-radicalisation programs and terrorist recruitment in Europe. This insightful knowledge will enrich our engagement in the OSCE framework. We are very pleased to have him as our advisor to take on this challenging task’, he said.

Professor Neumann said: ‘I’m delighted to be appointed Special Representative on Combating Violent Radicalisation. This will be a great opportunity to inform policy-making with empirical research.’