Security through aid: countering violent extremism and terrorism with Australia’s aid program

Overview This paper argues that countering violent extremism (CVE) and terrorism are international security and development issues. Australia’s foreign aid should be used to strengthen resilience to violent extremist ideologies. Improving governance in weak states can help to deny terrorists the easy recruiting grounds of lawless communities. The ASPI report argues that there are several ways to better leverage our foreign aid program to counter terrorism and violent extremism. Where a clear need has been identified, implement direct CVE aid programs Apply a CVE and counter-terrorism ‘filter’ to our aid programs Develop targeted reporting on CVE aid programs Use InnovationXchange to explore avenues for implementing CVE into the aid strategy Share information on CVE and aid Lead the debate to modernise official development assistance (ODA) reportin

Online Media: Scopes and Challenges in New Paradigm Shifts of Production Methodologies

With the new paradigm shifts in the film industry and online video content, cheap digital technology and the democratisation of the filmmaking process, filmmakers now can connect to an ‘expert’ global, niche audience with more immediacy through the internet;engaging virtual communities, utilising crowd funding support and fan-building initiatives through a variety of social media landscapes. Key themes: Purpose and prospective readers: academics and practicing scholars of new media and digital interfaces. Significance of contribution: Case study measures and outcomes of emerging production practices. Practicality and usefulness of my work: paradigm shifts in new media and production methodologies are shifting cultural mindsets and artistic practices while engaging with participatory audiences online. Implications of study and future areas of work: the implications of the work are necessary to determine methodology practices, and emerging fields of digital humanities works. Future areas are as follows: Narrative Fiction and Documentary Film; Performance; Social Media; Emerging online arts practices and how the artist works in an online, participatory environment; Online/Distance learning particularly as experienced through communications and performative practices; Digital technology and new media methodologies and communications practices.Peer reviewedSubmitted Versio

Police Knowledge Exchange: Full Report 2018

[Executive Summary] This report was commissioned to explore the enablers and barriers to sharing within and between police forces and between police forces and partners, including the public. This was completed from an interdisciplinary review of international literature covering sharing, knowledge exchange, learning and organisational learning. The literature broke down into four main factors; who, why, what and how. An introduction to the literature is presented with ‘Who’ is sharing which considers both personal identity and different institutional issues. The ‘Why’ literature covers issues of cultural and community motivators and barriers. The ‘What’ segment reviews concepts of data, information and knowledge and related legislative issues. Finally, the ‘how’ section spans face to face sharing approaches to technologies that produce both enablers and barriers. A series of 42 in-depth interviews and focus groups were completed and combined with 47 survey responses . The aim of the interviews, focus groups and survey was to show perceptions and beliefs around knowledge sharing from a small sample across policing in order to complement the findings from the literature review. The survey was adapted from a standardised questionnaire (Biggs, 1987). The Biggs questionnaire focused on what motivated students to learn and how they approached their learning. Our adapted survey looked at what motivated police to share, and how they approached sharing. The responses showed a trend, across the police, towards a motivation for sharing to develop a deeper understanding of issues. However, the approaches and the strategies they used to share with others, which were primarily driven by achieving and surface approaches (to get promoted and get the job done). According to Biggs (1987) this could leave them discontented as they never progress to a deeper understanding of issues. Scaffolding sharing within the police through processes that are clearly defined, effective and valued could help to overcome these issues. Within the interviews and focus group findings a similar structured approach to sharing was adopted. Within the ‘who’ section some key aspects around personal relationships, reciprocity and reputation were identified. The ‘why’ the police share was one of the largest discussion points. Not only was there a deep motivation to solve key policing issues there was an approach of reciprocity. Police sharing was deeply motivated to support ‘good practice’ in the prevention and detection of crime. However, a sharing barrier was identified in the parity of value given to different types of knowledge for example between professional judgement and research evidence knowledge. Sharing was achieved when there were reciprocal benefits, in particular with personal networks or face to face sharing which was noted as ‘safe’. Again, this was inhibited by misunderstandings around the ‘risks’ of sharing, frequently attributed to data protection legislation; producing cautious reactions and as an avoidance tactic to save time and effort sharing. However, a divide was noted between technical users and those who avoided any online systems for sharing; often due to poorly designed systems and a lack of confidence in how to use systems. The police culture was identified as being risk-adverse, and competitive due to multiple factors, a lack of supported time to share, Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) reviews and promotion criteria. The result was perceived to be a poor cultural ability to learn from mistakes and a likelihood to repeat errors. A set of strategic recommendations are given and include the use of a sharing authorised professional practice for HMIC reviews, sharing networks and training. A further set of operational recommendations are given such as; sharing impact cases for evidence based practice, data sharing officers and evaluating mechanisms for sharing. This full report is supported by the Police Knowledge Exchange Summary Report 2018 which gives an overview of the findings and recommendations

Opportunity Reimagined: An Inclusive Vision for Healthy Communities

This white paper looks at the key issue areas that are essential for healthy communities to exist: health equity, economic opportunity, and education. It also recognizes that an equity agenda must be present in each of the afore mentioned areas. The paper draws on insights and knowledge shared by presenters and participants at the 2016 America's Future Summit: Reimagining Opportunity in a Changing Nation and makes recommendations for fostering healthy communities and expanding opportunity for Latinos and all Americans

The Faces of Crime: How Municipal Police Department Presence on Social Media Influences the Lives of Incarcerated Americans

This photographic exposé and the complimentary research was designed to highlight the impact of municipal police department presence on social media and the consequences it has on those who are featured on the pages. As social media became a centerpoint of social life, police departments sought to utilize social media in a way that uplifted the department; however, in doing so, incarcerated members of the community were simultaneously being publicly humiliated. Their mugshots and alleged charges were published onto the department social media pages, allowing their family and peers to comment and share freely. These individuals report difficulty finding a place of employment, issues in their family relationships, and significant depreciation in their self-worth after the publication. These individuals have been dubbed “the faces of crime”

Investments for Change: Year in Review

This report documents the efforts of the Executives' Alliance to Expand Opportunities for Boys and Men of Color, a coalition of more than 40 national, regional, and local foundations to improve life outcomes for boys and men of color in the U.S. While the philanthropic sector's support of this population is not new, the Executives' Alliance stepped up its efforts to lead the systemic change critical to breaking down barriers in order to enable boys and men of color to succeed

Understanding the Radicalization Process of U.S. Homegrown Terrorists

Radicalization is an aspect in the development of homegrown terrorists; however, researchers have been unable to establish a path to radicalization, uncover how individual and social factors influence radicalization, and identify how the Internet and social media mediate this process. The purpose of this case study was to explore individual and environmental factors that contribute to the radicalization of U.S. homegrown terrorists and identify interventions. Conversion theory was used to develop an understanding of the radicalization of U.S. homegrown terrorists. Data were derived from interviews of local and state law enforcement, military antiterrorism officers (AT), and security personnel from military installations in Eastern North Carolina. Data were analyzed applying content directed and In Vivo coding. The study results helped formulate recommendations on interventions to stem radicalization, identified the news media as a gateway for radicalization, and suggested the incorporation of perspectives from other radicalization-related theories into the conversion theory radicalization model to examine known cases of homegrown terrorists and test its viability as a model to understand radicalization. The results of this study could bring about positive social change by improving relationships and collaboration between law enforcement and community stakeholders, which might generate strategies that could exert greater influence in dissuading individuals from becoming radicalized

THE USE AND EFFECTIVENESS OF LAW ENFORCEMENT SOCIAL MEDIA SITES

There is ample evidence that social media is an effective tool during time of crises, as noted by events such as the Boston Marathon bombing or the Las Vegas mass shooting when police used their social media to communicate directly with the public. However, little research has been conducted on how social media can enhance the toolbox of police agencies to help with non-emergency issues, such as building community relations. Previous research offers a glimpse into ways that police agencies typically use social media. This paper will take a step further to determine if law enforcement is accomplishing its goals with social media. Residents and law enforcement officers were asked to evaluate their department’s social media sites, make assessments on what it appears the agency is attempting to achieve, and evaluate whether the site accomplishes that goal. Further, both audiences made suggestions on what they believe social media should be used for. This research allows police agencies insight into how to use social media sites to accomplish their goals and offers perspectives on what the law enforcement and non-law enforcement audience wants or expects to see

DEFEATING AND DETERRING DOMESTIC TERRORISM THROUGH EVIDENCE-BASED POLICYMAKING

This thesis investigates how evidence-based policymaking can be employed to improve policy decisions and resource allocations aimed at deterring and defeating domestic terrorism. The executive and legislative branches of government have mandated that evidence-based policymaking be implemented in federal governmental decisional processes, including the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. However, there is no federal guidance that specifies how to use evidence and data to combat domestic terrorism. This thesis investigates the numerous challenges of using evidence in domestic counterterrorism initiatives and analyzes three case studies to provide recommendations for an integrated approach to the implementation of the Strategy. The findings of this thesis supplement OMB’s guidance on the four components of evidence-based policymaking. Among others, it recommends that the government should institute standardized data collection, provide improved guidelines, generate a cadre of professionals trained in evaluation, establish evidence-based policymaking centers of excellence, designate a bipartisan Congressionally mandated oversight office, and create a repository that captures the methodologies and results of ongoing and completed evidence-based programs for countering domestic terrorism.Outstanding ThesisCaptain, United States Coast GuardApproved for public release. Distribution is unlimited

Policing 2016 To Deliver Safety, Police Need Legitimacy and Accountability

Much of the national debate on policing in 2015 has rested on a false premise—that community demands for greater police accountability come at the expense of effectively addressing crime. In fact, police need accountability and legitimacy in the communities they serve if they are to deliver safety. While policing is a local governmental function, federal policymakers have an important role to play in helping policing practice reflect this truth. The next president will have a wide range of funding, agenda setting, and enforcement tools that can elevate and spread the best in policing and compel reform where necessary