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Photograph of Brian Hughes

Brian Hughes Research Assistant Professor Justice, Law & Criminology

Degrees
PhD, American University, School of Communication.

Bio
Brian Hughes is a Research Assistant Professor in the program of Justice, Law, and Criminology. He is also the co-founder and Associate Director of the Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL), where he develops studies and interventions to reduce the risk of radicalization to extremism. His scholarly research explores the impact of communication technology on political and religious extremism, terrorism and fringe culture. This work seeks to identify the affective and material commonalities between extremists of differing ideologies, cultures, times, and places. His writing has appeared in the CTC Sentinel at West Point, the International Journal of Communication, CNN, and the Center for Analysis of the Radical Right.
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Partnerships & Affiliations


  • Senior Fellow

  • Jihadi Networks of Culture and Communication research group at CARGC, Annenberg, University of Pennsylvania
    Member


  • Member


  • Member


  • Member

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Selected Publications

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 18(24). July 2021.

Selected Publications

Fascism 10(1). June 2021

Selected Publications

(primary author with Cynthia Miller-Idriss), CTC Sentinel, May 2021.

Selected Publications

International Journal of Communication 14(2020). March, 2020.

AU Experts

Area of Expertise

Political and religious terrorism, extremism, radicalization, far-right extremism

Additional Information

Brian Hughes is the co-founder and Associate Director of American University’s Polarization and Extremism Research and Innovation Lab (PERIL) and a Research Assistant Professor in the School of Public Affairs. His work focuses on developing evidence-based interventions to radicalization, extremism, polarization, and disinformation. He is frequently interviewed by local, national and international media outlets, including The Washington Post, NPR, Al Jazeera English, etc.

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

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