Five leaders in policy, counter-terrorism operations, journalism and academia come together for a discussion on the evolution of terror.

In the post-9/11 era, counter-terror efforts have focused on the threat of Islamist terrorism. Yet the same technologies that allowed violent jihadists to communicate and organise globally have added renewed vigour to other extremist actors. With a string of major recent attacks - notably in Charlottesville Virginia and Christchurch New Zealand - right-wing terrorism is emerging as a threat to the national security of liberal democracies.

In this public seminar, five leaders in policy, counter-terrorism operations, journalism and academia will share insights on trends in the changing landscape of terrorism. What are the causes of violent extremism in Australia? What is the impact of technology and how is the threat of terrorism likely to evolve over the coming decade?

Chaired by veteran Australian political journalist Mark Kenny, the panel will feature former Director of the U.S. National Counterterrorism Center, Nick Rasmussen, Australian terrorism and extremism historian Dr Kristy Campion, National Security College Senior Research Fellow in Counter Terrorism and Social Cohesion Jacinta Carroll, and ABC investigative journalist Alex Mann.

Mark Kenny is Senior Fellow at the Australian Studies Institute at the Australian National University. He is fixture on the ABC's Insiders program, Sky News Agenda, and is a sought after commentator on radio programs across the country. Before joining the ANU Mark's journalism career included 6 years as chief political correspondent and national affairs editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, and The Canberra Times. A long-time member of the Federal Parliamentary Press Gallery committee, he is a director of the National Press Club.

Nick Rasmussen is Senior Director for National Security and Counterterrorism Programs at the McCain Institute for International Leadership. Rasmussen is a national security professional with over twenty-seven years in U.S. government service, including in senior counterterrorism posts at the White House and in the U.S. Intelligence Community. He concluded his government career as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), leading professionals from across the Intelligence Community.

Dr Kristy Campion is a Lecturer of Terrorism Studies at Charles Sturt University. A historian by training, her research has focused solely on terrorism and extremism, both internationally and domestically. She has lectured and tutored in terrorism studies to undergraduate students and postgraduate students, consulted for specialist audiences, and engages in media and public commentary. In the past two years, Kristy's research has focused heavily on right wing extremism in Australia, with reference to its organisations, individuals, and ideological narratives. She is currently working on the first comprehensive history of terrorism and extremism in Australia.

Jacinta Carroll is a senior research fellow for counterterrorism and social cohesion at the National Security College. Previously, Jacinta was the inaugural Head of ASPI’s Counter Terrorism Policy Centre, a position she held since August 2015. Jacinta joined ASPI from the Australian Government where she held a variety of Senior Executive appointments and worked in the Department of Defence and the Attorney-General’s Department. Her career experience includes working on national security, counter-terrorism, strategic policy, border security, military operations, campaign planning and scenario development, information management, and international policy with a particular focus on the Middle East and Afghanistan; she has served in Iraq.

Alex Mann is a Sydney-based broadcast journalist with the ABC's flagship investigative podcast, Background Briefing. His reporting has taken him across the country from the APY Lands in northern South Australia, to Dalby in south-east Queensland. In 2017 he was recognised as South Australia’s Journalist of the Year and won several other media awards for his reporting with ABC TV’s 7.30 program.