Expert contributing to extremism study

An academic from Goldsmiths, University of London has been commissioned to contribute to a major new government study into extremism in England.

David Hirsh has been invited by The Independent Commission for Countering Extremism, a government advisory group, to co-write a research paper exploring the tactics and objectives of the far-left and their acceptance among the public.

The paper, entitled 'The tactics and objectives of the British far left and their acceptance among members of the general population', is part of a collection of 19 papers that will investigate far-right, far-left, Islamic and online extremism.

Senior lecturer Dr Hirsh will work with academics from King’s College London, the University of Bristol and Goldsmiths, University of London for the paper, which will feed into the Commission’s study into the scale of extremism in England. In total some 28 academics and experts have been asked to contribute to the research.

Sara Khan, Lead Commissioner for The Independent Commission for Countering Extremism, said: “Countering extremism is a crucially important issue that requires serious and credible research to guide policymakers. The wide range of views put forward by these academic papers will be a vital element of our study on all forms of extremism in our country.

“They will provide in-depth academic insight that will complement the data and information we are collecting from thousands of individuals and organisations on the ground.”

Khan will present the study to the Home Secretary with recommendations later this year.