The Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) is an applied research lab at American University’s School of Public Affairs preventing radicalization to violent extremism by strengthening community resilience. We use a public health approach to design, test, and scale-up evidence-based tools and strategies that effectively reduce the threat of radicalization to harmful online and offline content including conspiracy theories, mis/disinformation, propaganda, and supremacist ideologies. As an alternative to security-based approaches that rely on surveillance, censorship, and incarceration, our work takes a multidisciplinary and pre-preventative approach to address hate, bias, and radicalization before they manifest into violent extremism. Our work supports individuals and communities to reject propaganda and extremist content, as well as empower them to intervene and interrupt early radicalization. 

Our pre-preventative framework aims to build social cohesion and democratic resilience while centering the needs of targeted groups, victims, and survivors. In partnership with community groups, local governments, educators, counselors, and other civil society actors, we create effective prevention tools and resources including toolkits and guides, education and media literacy interventions, short-form videos, and training programs. All of our interventions are developed based on holistic research and rigorous testing.