Course Extremism, Disinformation and Hostile States

Policymakers and professionals across Europe are challenged with the challenge of addressing these dynamic threats and safeguarding democratic resilience.

In this intensive three-day course, you will gain up-to-date insights into emerging security challenges. Through expert seminars, field visits, and practice-oriented case studies, you will develop a solid understanding of the drivers of contemporary extremism, the role of (online) networks and platforms, and the strategies employed by state actors to destabilise European societies. These insights are situated within broader political and societal trends, such as rising polarisation and declining institutional trust.

Drawing on academic research, professional experience, and peer learning, we encourage you to reflect critically—together with the course cohort—on the role you must play as a professional in these ongoing developments. You will strengthen your analytical skills and acquire applicable knowledge to support informed decision-making and effective prioritisation in your work.

You will learn to identify new threats at an early stage, assess policy and operational responses, and apply analytical frameworks for threat assessment, crisis response, and prioritisation. The combination of academic insights, professional practice, and peer exchange fosters critical reflection and supports deep integration of knowledge into your own professional context.