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ABOUT US

SCENOR is a Vienna‑based research association, committed to analysing and preventing violent extremism, radicalisation and hate. We apply scientific rigour and practical methods to strengthen prevention sustainably across society.

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OUR WORK

As our core activity, SCENOR conducts evidence‑based research projects that deliver robust insights influencing both policy and practice. These initiatives form the basis of our work in addressing and countering extremism and hate.

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OUR SEMINARS

We deliver expert‑led seminars on extremism prevention, on-site or online. Designed for organisations and practitioners, these sessions offer practical tools, strategic insights and guidance on recognising and responding to radicalisation and hate.

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RECENT BLOGPOSTS

Rows of small votive candles burning in glass holders, casting a warm glow in a dimly lit setting. The flickering flames create a solemn and reflective atmosphere.

UNITED IN RESPONSE: COLLABORATIVE APPROACHES IN PROTECTING PLACES OF WORSHIP

Protecting Places of Worship: A multi-dimensional approach to security, resilience, and interfaith cooperation in times of crisis.

Annika Scharnagl

Mar 5

THE EVOLVING JIHADIST THREAT IN EUROPE AGAINST JEWISH AND CHRISTIAN COMMUNITIES POST-7/10

Jihadist threats rise post-7/10. How Europe’s Jewish and Christian communities face deterrence challenges and the security paradox.

Erik Hacker

Oct 23, 2024

JIHADI ATTACKS AND PLOTS IN EUROPE: A NEW WAVE OF TERRORISM?

Europe's jihadist threat evolves: Fewer attacks but rising plots. Analyse trends, profiles, and emerging tactics in this in-depth report.

Erik Hacker

Aug 9, 2024

FROM MARGINS TO TARGETS: HOW TO COUNTER EXCLUSION AND PROTECT RELIGIOUS MINORITIES

Researcher José Luis Salido-Medina on the dangers faced by minority religious communities due to social and spatial exclusion

José Luis Salido-Medina

May 8, 2024

UNVEILING THE POPULIST PARADOX: HOW FREEDOM OF SPEECH IMPACTS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM AND SAFETY

Niels Verster on how populism blurs the line between freedom of speech and religious safety.

Niels Verster

Sep 25, 2023

INSIDE EUROPEAN EXIT WORK: KEY PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES

Understanding Extremist Reintegration: Robert Örell explores European Exit work & delves into successful reintegration strategies.

Robert Örell

Jul 5, 2023

FOOD FOR THOUGHT

A sharply composed magazine cover in deep navy blue and grey tones. At the top, a bold white masthead reads “CTC SENTINEL” beneath a smaller descriptive line — “Combating Terrorism Center at West Point.” Below that, the issue date is noted: “June 2025 • Volume 18, Issue 6.” The central image features a dramatic nighttime scene aboard a naval vessel: silhouetted structures and rigging in the foreground, with bright lights illuminating billowing smoke or steam in the background. At the bottom of the cover are two highlighted features: on the left, “Feature Commentary: Operation Rough Rider: An Assessment, Gregory Johnsen,” and on the right, “A View from the CT Foxhole: Richard Feakes, Former Australian Ambassador for Counter‑Terrorism.”

GENERATION JIHAD

For many of us, the threat of terrorism feels distant, yet this new study shows how swiftly online propaganda can grip teenagers across Europe. In his latest article for CTC Sentinel, researcher Erik Hacker of SCENOR examines forty-four foiled plots involving minors since 2022 and traces the patterns that put whole communities at risk. Continue to the full analysis to see why early vigilance matters now more than ever.

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The image shows the cover of an academic publication from the journal "ZepRa – Zeitschrift für praxisorientierte (De-)Radikalisierungsforschung." The title of the featured article is "Von Hate Huntern und schleimigen Monstern: Ein Praxisbericht des Projekts GameD – Gaming for Democracy." The authors are Judith Jaskowski and Linda Schlegel. The issue is labelled as "Bd. 3 / Nr. 1 / 2024." The cover is designed with a teal background and white text, featuring a minimalistic and professional layout.

GAMING AGAINST EXTREMISM

Prevention and intervention in gaming remain largely untested. While many mobile games aim to educate, they often fail to entertain.

The SCENOR-led GameD project addressed this by creating a platformer with genuine gameplay appeal.

The result is Hate Hunters — a mobile game that uses minimal text and strong mechanics. Developed in co‑creation with youths, its entertainment value and content clarity have been rigorously evaluated.
scenor.at

This report outlines its theoretical basis, youth co‑creation model, and early positive educational impact.

Read more in German here >>

A dimly lit room with a young person sitting at a desk, staring at a computer screen displaying extremist content. Dark, shadowy figures emerge from the screen, reaching towards the individual, symbolising the influence of online radicalisation. Social media icons and chat windows are visible in the background, representing the role of digital platforms in spreading radical ideologies.

THE PATH TO RADICALISATION

How do young people get radicalised online? - In this interview in German language, Daniela Pisoiu describes what role online influencers play and how to tell if someone is radicalised.

Dr Pisoiu is a renowned expert in the field, conducting in-depth research on terrorism, radicalisation, and violent extremism. She has published extensively on these subjects, contributing numerous scholarly works that advance the understanding of these complex and pressing issues.

Read on >>

Cover of online magazine "Journal for deradicalization"

DOING IT AGAIN

Assessing the features and implications of terrorism recidivism of jihadi attacks in Europe -
by Erik Hacker (researcher at SCENOR) and Daniela Pisoiu (senior researcher at oiip)

This article focuses on the issue of terrorism recidivism as it relates specifically to terrorist attacks. Based on the analysis of a dataset comprising information on jihadi attacks and their perpetrators in Europe between 2014 and 2022, it presents a number of interesting findings, such as: attacks committed by terrorism recidivists have a significantly higher impact in terms of casualties.

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Two male Jihadist fighters, one laying his right arm on the right shoulder of the other, one is wearing a Palestine scarf on the head, the other around his neck

THE ISKP'S WESTERN AMBITIONS

Following Al-Qaeda's footsteps of global jihad from Afghanistan - by Erik Hacker, Researcher at SCENOR

KEY INSIGHTS:

Zeitgeist: Recent global and European political developments (Israel-Hamas war and Quran-burning incidents in Scandinavian countries) have revitalised the European jihadist movement. However, there are currently no realistic opportunities for newly mobilised jihadists in the West to join a foreign terrorist group abroad. That incentivises domestic terrorist attacks in the West.

ISKP is about to fill the global jihadist power vacuum: Despite the current sociopolitical environment favouring jihadist mobilisation, major foreign terrorist organisations known for their international capabilities struggle to take advantage of that. Da'esh has failed to produce a charismatic leader and continues to focus on local insurgency. Meanwhile, Al-Qaeda does not appear to have the necessary appeal in the West to orchestrate attacks.

ISKP's primary objective:
The primary objective is to establish a caliphate in Afghanistan and surrounding countries, with the Taliban regime continuing to be its most significant obstacle. Attacks against the West are merely an instrument to advance ISKP's regional goal in Southeast Asia.

ISKP has the following four incentives to attack the West:

(1) Weaken and delegitimise the Taliban regime on the international stage because it has not lived up to its counterterrorism promises

(2) Increase financial and operational support from Da'esh by maintaining the Da'esh brand as the dominant global jihadist entity

(3) Raise the group's status and appeal in the global jihadi movement and increase the inflow of donations and foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs)

(4) Provoke anti-Muslim sentiment in Western societies or even retaliatory strikes

ISKP uses the following three-pronged strategy for its external operations in the West:

- Inspire attacks via multi-lingual propaganda

- "Virtual planner”, which consists of assisting or instructing attacks on the West by local supporters through online support

- Dispatching trained operatives who are smuggled into Europe via Turkey and Ukraine

Read on >>

JIHADI ATTACKS IN EUROPE

Trends & features 2014-2022 - by Erik Hacker, researcher at SCENOR: based on an original dataset of jihadi terrorist attacks in Europe between 2014 and 2022, this report provides data on the temporal and spatial aspects of attacks, the weapon(s) used, target(s), the number of perpetrators, number of casualties (dead/injured), the perpetrators’ terrorist group affiliation, the perpetrators’ criminal record, authorities’ knowledge about the perpetrators being potential threats, surveillance status, mental health conditions, asylum seeker status, age, convert status, citizenship, and employment.

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Check out our free online repository in German language on everything regarding right-wing extremism, Islamist extremism, conspiracy theories and more.

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OUR COOPERATION PARTNERS

Senatorin für Justiz und Verfassung in Bremen, senator for justice and constitution in Bremen

European Foundation for South Asian Studies, EFSAS,

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