Dr. McCoy is an expert in homegrown violent extremism and newcomer integration. He holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Alberta. John is the Director of Applied Research with the Organization for Identity and Cultural Development (OICD). He also lecturers at the University of Alberta in the Department of Political Science where he leads undergraduate and graduate courses on terrorism studies and international relations. John has worked as an international policy consultant for a number of national governments, law enforcement and international organizations. He has published numerous academic and government research papers, journal articles and op-eds on the subjects of homegrown violent extremism, newcomer integration and multiculturalism. He acts as an area expert in local media interviews and has presented his research findings at leading international academic and policy conferences.

David is a Senior Researcher with the Organization for the Prevention of Violence, based in Edmonton. He previously worked for a U.S.-based national security consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. He has co-developed training modules related to understanding and preventing violent extremism for the Edmonton Police Service and has delivered presentations and participated on panels before diverse audiences including: the Brookings Institution, Oxford University, the United Nations Safe Cities initiative and the RCMP's Counterterrorism Information Officer Course. David is a graduate of the University of Alberta.

Participants will gain an understanding of the characterizations of Radicalization, Terrorism, and Violent Extremism, and problems associated with labelling. Participants will gain an understanding of the process of engagement, including ideological elements, and grievance, environmental, and underlying need elements. Global trends in violent extremism will be introduced, including: the diversity of threats, the rise of lone actors, use of the internet, and the rise of hate & social polarization. Participants will gain an understanding of the Alberta picture, including the historical overview, current threat environment, and summary of research and report findings by the Organization for the Prevention of Violence. Case studies will be used to demonstrate examples of underlying vulnerability, radicalization and mobilization. Participants will gain an understanding of concrete, evidence-based risk factors and risk indicators, including cues when to ask more questions, when to seek specialized support, and when to call police. Participants will receive an introduction and overview of strategies in countering violent extremism, including the emergence of practice, current best practices and levels of prevention. Case studies will be examined through group work, with participants gaining an understanding of local resources in Alberta and soft skills necessary for intervention.

Who Should Attend?

• Police, crime prevention and community safety professionals
• Urban and rural municipalities, and Indigenous communities – administration and elected leaders
• Community and Protective Services, social and health-care workers, FCSS and community developers
• Urban & Regional planners, architects, landscape architects and urban designers
• Downtown revitalization, neighbourhood and business associations
• Educational, cultural and religious institutions
• Commercial and institutional property owners, managers and operators