European Commission appoints ICCT Director to the Research Committee of the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism

The Hague, 23 January 2025: the European Commission has appointed Dr. Thomas Renard, Director of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), as a member of the  Research Committee of the EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism. In this position, he will provide strategic advice, research direction, and recommendations on the prevention of radicalisation and extremism within the European Union.

The Research Committee is composed of 15 highly qualified and internationally recognised experts. The goal of the Knowledge Hub is to support the EU and its Member States in the prevention of extremism and radicalisation. To do so, it brings together researchers, practitioners and policymakers across the continent, which contributes to a fruitful exchange of ideas and best-practices. The EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation and Extremism was officially launched in 2024, building on the success of the previous Radicalisation Awareness Network (RAN).

On his appointment, Dr. Renard said: “The EU Knowledge Hub is set to become the EU’s key instrument to foster and disseminate knowledge and good practices in preventing and countering extremism and terrorism. This mission is essential, as the threat of terrorism is on the rise across Europe”. As the threat of radicalisation, polarisation and violent extremism is continuously changing, “the Research Committee can play a key role in identifying and addressing remaining research gaps, in offering guidance on strategic priorities for the EU Knowledge Hub activities, and in supporting evidence-based policies and practices more broadly”, he added.

Founded in 2010, ICCT is an independent think-and-do tank dedicated to shaping effective and evidence-based policies against terrorism and violent extremism, grounded in human rights and the rule of law. It is based in The Hague, Netherlands.