1st Experts' Conference "European Counter-Terrorism"

The team at the Department for Security Studies cordially invites you to attend the 1^st Austrian Experts' Conference "European Counter-Terrorism" on Tuesday, June 2, 2026 and Wednesday, June 3, 2026. Please save the date.

We look forward to seeing you there,
Walter Seböck, Nicolas Stockhammer & Ingeborg Zeller

The 1^st Austrian High-Level Conference of Extremism and Terrorrism research brings together scholars, practitioners, policymakers, and representatives of civil society to exchange state of the art research, discuss current developments, and explore effective prevention and response strategies.
By fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and international cooperation, the conference aims to deepen our understanding of extremist dynamics, terrorist TTPs and strengthen collective resilience against radicalization.

Through open discussion, shared expertise, and collaborative thinking, this conference seeks to contribute to sustainable solutions that support democratic values, social stability, and the protection of fundamental rights.

PROGRAM 
"The Changing Face of Transnational Terrorism: Challenges, Prevention, and Intelligence Responses”

Day 1 – Tuesday, June 2, 2026

11:30 – 12:00 | Registration and Welcome Coffee
12:00 – 12:30 | Opening Remarks

• Viktoria WEBER (Rector UWK) – Welcome University of Continuing Education Krems (UWK)
• Walter SEBÖCK (UWK) – Welcome Dept. Security Studies
• Andreas SCHLEGEL (Austrian Federal Chancellery- KSB) – Introductory Address

12:30 – 12:40 | Introduction by the Organizer

• Nicolas STOCKHAMMER – Scope and Idea of the Conference Presentation of the overarching goals, structure, and intended outcomes of the conference,
  outlining the interplay between counter-terrorism research and intelligence studies in addressing emerging threats.

12:40 – 13:25 | Keynote 1: “Evolving Terrorist Threats in a Changing Global Security Landscape. A Transatlantic Perspective"

• Colin P. CLARKE | Executive Director of The Soufan Center (NY, USA)

13:30 – 15:00 |  Panel A – "The European Terrorist Threatscape" Current dynamics in transnational jihadism, far-right networks, and the intersection of ideology, conflict, and technology.

Moderator: Nicolas STOCKHAMMER | UWK
Panelists: Terrorism Researchers

• Thomas RENARD | Director International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT), The Hague
• Lucas WEBBER | Senior Threat Intelligence Analyst, Tech Against Terrorism, London (online)
• Clara BROEKAERT | Research Analyst at The Soufan Center (TSC), NY
• Guido STEINBERG | Stifung WIssenschaft und Politik (SWP), Berlin (online)

15:00 – Welcome Address

• President of the Lower Austrian Provincial Parliament Karl WILFING representing Governor Johanna MIKL-LEITNER

15:15 –15:30 | Coffee Break

15:30 – 17:00 | Panel B – “Counter-Terrorism and Hybrid Threats – The European Perspective
Discussion focuses on hybrid warfare, the blurred lines between state and non- state actors, and integrated CT strategies.

Moderator: Col Ernst FELBERBAUER (Austrian National Defence Academy Vienna) 
Panelists: CT / Hybrid Threats Experts

• Colin P. CLARKE | Executive Director of The Soufan Center (NY, USA)
• Giray SADIK | Professor for International Relations at Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
• Kacper REKAWEK | Head of Defence and Security Programme at the GLOBSEC Policy Institute (online)
• Col Johann SCHMID | Expert on Hybrid Warfare, Zentrum für Militärgeschichte und Sozialwissenschaften der Bundeswehr (ZMSBw), Potsdam

17:00 – 17:45 | Keynote 2: “Countering Transnational Terrorist Networks in Europe: The 'Follow the Money'- Approach”

• Hans-Jakob SCHINDLER | Senior Director of the Counter Extremism Project, Berlin/NY. (online)

18:00 | Closing of Day 1

19:00 | Networking Reception Dinner (Speakers only) "Wellenspiel"
 

Day 2 – Wednesday, June 3, 2026

08:30 – 09:00 | Morning Coffee and Networking

09:00 – 10:30 | Panel C – “Facets of Violent Extremism (VE) in Europe”

Exploring comparative extremist milieus and the adaptability of ideological narratives.

Moderator: Nicolas STOCKHAMMER | UWK
Panelists: VE Experts

• Miroslav MAREŠ | Professor Extremism Studies, Masaryk University Brno – Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)
• Florian HARTLEB | Assoc. Professor Modul University, Vienna – Right-Wing Extremism (RWE) & Anti-Government Extremism (AGE)
• Walter POSCH | Senior Researcher Austrian National Defence Academy– Islamism & Political Islam
• Erik HACKER | Senior Researcher Scenor, Vienna – Jihadism

10:30 – 11:00 | Coffee Break

11:00 –11:30 | Keynote 3: “Recent Trends and Developments in Radicalzation and P/CVE” 

• Peter R. NEUMANN | Professor for Security Studies - King's College London (online)

11:30 – 12:45 | Panel D – “Radicalization & Prevention- European Approaches” 

Focus on early prevention, community resilience, and best practices in deradicalization.

Moderator: Florian Lieplold  | UWK
Panelists: Prevention and Radicalization Experts

• Jan BEYER | Director of Research, Institute for Strategic Dialogue, London
• Nina KÄSEHAGE | Substitute Professor for Theology of Religions and Religious Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt
• Jean-Luc VANNIER | Professor at the Côte d'Azur University, Edhec and Ipag Business School, Nice

12:45 – 13:30 | Lunch Break

13:30 – 15:00 | Panel E – “Intelligence in Counter-Terrorism. A European Perspective”
Insights on intelligence analysis, cross-agency cooperation, and emerging technological tools in CT.

Moderator: Christoph KLETZER | Professor of Law, Vice Dean International and Executive Education, King’s College London

Panelists: Intelligence Experts

• John ANGELL | Distinguished Intelligence Expert
• Adam HADLEY | Founder, Tech Against Terrorism, London
• Stefan EMBACHER | Co-Founder & CEO FOREUS
• Florian M. LIEPOLD | UWK

15:00 – 16:15 | Closing Discussion 

Topical Debate: “Islamism as a Strategic Threat for European Security” (German or English)
Moderator: Thomas EPPINGER “Der Pragmaticus”

• Christoph KLETZER | Professor of Law, Vice Dean International and Executive Education, King’s College London
• Nina KÄSEHAGE | Substitute Professor for Theology of Religions and Religious Studies at Goethe University Frankfurt
• Stefan KALTENBRUNNER | Journalist & Author 
• Walter POSCH | Senior Researcher Austrian National Defence Academy

16:30 | End of Conference

Further details on the program will be added to this page on an ongoing basis and are subject to change.

Conference fees:

Participation is free of charge for cooperation partners, students, and graduates of the University for Continuing Education Krems. For all other participants, the fee is EUR 100 for both days.

Please note that photographs and/or video recordings may be taken during this event for reporting and documentation purposes. These recordings may be published on our website, our social media channels, as well as in television reports and press coverage. If you do not wish to be photographed or filmed, please inform the photographer and/or the organizers on site so that appropriate arrangements can be made regarding the recording equipment.

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