Publications & Insights
Turning Research on Radicalization into Prevention and Policy
Gazbiah Sans' research and analysis for PVE Works contributes to the global conversation on preventing violent extremism through policy analysis, knowledge production and practitioner engagement.
This body of work examines violent extremism, with particular attention to youth and gendered dynamics, misogyny, technology-facilitated gender based violence, nihilistic violent extremism and algorithmic radicalization. Her research translates complex and evolving challenges and identifies opportunities to strengthen prevention, digital resilience and community-based responses, both on- and offline.
It offers evidence-based guidance for international organizations, policymakers, governments, practitioners, civil society actors, platform trust & safety teams, schools, parents and caregivers, and helps raise awareness among a general audience of how to prevent violent extremism, online and offline.
This research underpins PVE Works' advisory services and Gazbiah's expert engagements, connecting analytical insights with the policy decisions, institutional strategies and practical interventions needed to address complex prevention challenges.
Explore the research that informs policy and the evidence that strengthens prevention.
Sans, G. (2026, June 30). The Fringe-to-Mainstream Pipeline: How Digital Platforms Enable Spousal Rape Networks and Radicalise Violent Misogyny. European Commission Newsroom (EUKH).
The Fringe-to-Mainstream Pipeline: How Digital Platforms Enable Spousal Rape Networks and Radicalise Violent Misogyny
This article examines how mainstream and fringe digital platforms can work together to amplify misogyny, facilitate coordinated sexual abuse and enable the sharing and monetisation of violence against women. It argues that these online ecosystems can create pathways from the normalisation of violent misogyny to real-world harm. It calls for misogyny to be recognised within prevention frameworks, stronger platform accountability and coordinated cross-platform monitoring.
Expertise: Online Radicalization & Digital Resilience, Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Policy & Institutional Capacity
The Trade-Off: Algorithmic Radicalisation for Economic Gains
This paper explores the tension between engagement-driven platform business models and public safety. It argues that recommendation algorithms, opaque personalisation and incentives to maximise engagement can expose users to increasingly extreme content, while reactive moderation often fails to address the upstream drivers of radicalization. It calls for stronger accountability, transparency, prevention and digital resilience.
Sans, G. (2026, June 26). The Trade-Off: Algorithmic Radicalisation for Economic Gains. The Hub: Insights, EU Knowledge Hub on Prevention of Radicalisation, European Commission (EUKH).
Expertise: Online Radicalization & Digital Resilience, Policy & Institutional Capacity, Research & Knowledge Production
Sans, G. (2026, May 15). Online Spousal Rape Networks: Advancing Violent Misogyny in Real Time. Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET).
Online Spousal Rape Networks: Advancing Violent Misogyny in Real Time
This insight analyses how digital infrastructure creates safe havens for coordinated spousal rape networks, algorithmically normalises violent behaviour and turns tech-facilitated gender-based violence into a transactional ecosystem. Shows how networks use fringe and mainstream platforms for different functions to evade detection and accountability.
Expertise: Online Radicalization & Digital Resilience, Gender, Youth & Community Engagement
Why Is Gender-Based Violence Still Invisible and Can a Preventing Violent Extremism Approach Address It?
The work addresses the persistent underrecognized phenonomon of gender-based violence within prevention policy and practice. It explores how a preventing violent extremism (PVE) approach might help identify and address the connections between gendered violence, structural inequalities and wider patterns of violence. The emphasis is on making these connections visible in policy and intervention design.
Sans, G. (2026, January 1). Why is Gender-Based Violence still Invisible—and can a Preventing Violent Extremism Approach Address it? In M.-T. Claes, A. Hermann, A. E. Romo Perez, & S. Mayr (Eds.), Gender and power dynamics: Exploring the intersections of gender and power in contemporary contexts (pp. 141–147). WU Vienna. https://doi.org/10.57938/19535d1f-51c0-4ae2-a736-b401ef16738f
Expertise: Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Research & Knowledge Production
Sans, G. (2025, October 28). Misogyny: A Hidden Entry Point in Online Youth Radicalisation. European Commission Newsroom (EUKH).
Misogyny: A Hidden Entry Point in Online Youth Radicalisation
This article focuses on misogyny as an overlooked pathway into online youth radicalization. Its central theme is that hostile gender narratives and communities that normalise contempt for women may expose young people to broader extremist ideas. It positions gender-sensitive prevention as part of the response to online radicalization, rather than treating misogyny as an unrelated social problem.
Expertise: Online Radicalization & Digital Resilience, Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Education & Prevention
Misogyny and Violent Extremism: Can Big Tech Fix the Glitch?
This article examines the responsibilities of technology companies in addressing the relationship between online misogyny and violent extremism. It considers how platform design, recommendation systems and content moderation can influence the visibility and normalisation of harmful narratives, and questions whether existing responses adequately address the underlying drivers of gendered radicalization.
Expertise: Online Radicalization & Digital Resilience, Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Policy & Institutional Capacity
Sans, G. (2025, June 30). Misogyny and Violent Extremism: Can Big Tech Fix the Glitch? Global Network on Extremism and Technology (GNET).
Sans, G. (2024, December 12). Shifting the Shame: How a Preventing Violent Extremism Approach Addresses the Invisibility of Gender-Based Violence. International Affairs Forum.
Shifting The Shame: How A Preventing Violent Extremism Approach Addresses the Invisibility of Gender-Based Violence
This article suggests PVE frameworks can help challenge the invisibility and normalization of gender-based violence. Its framing points towards shifting responsibility away from survivors and addressing the social, institutional and structural conditions that allow violence to persist.
Expertise: Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Research & Knowledge Production
What does it mean to Mainstream Gender Inclusion in Preventing Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism?
This publication addresses the meaning and practical application of gender inclusion within PVE and counter-terrorism policy. The focus is on moving beyond general commitments to gender equality and incorporating gender considerations into policy development, programme design and implementation.
Sans, G. (2024, August 14). What does it mean to Mainstream Gender Inclusion in Preventing Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism? Home Team Journal, (14). Singapore Ministry of Home Affairs.
Expertise: Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Policy & Institutional Capacity
Sans, G. (2024, May 15). Gender inclusion: What it means to Gender Mainstream in Preventing Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism? International Affairs Forum.
Gender Inclusion: What It Means to Gender Mainstream in Preventing Violent Extremism and Counter Terrorism?
This article defines gender inclusion in PVE and counter-terrorism and explains why policies must account for how different people experience violence and its prevention. It argues against superficial, box-ticking approaches to gender mainstreaming and recommends integrating gender analysis throughout programme design, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. It also emphasises institutional responsibility for meaningful implementation.
Expertise: Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Policy & Institutional Capacity
Gender Biases in Preventing Violent Extremism Policies
This featured editorial focuses on gender-related biases within PVE policies. Its subject is how assumptions, stereotypes and incomplete understandings of gender can influence prevention strategies, potentially overlooking the different roles, vulnerabilities and experiences of women, men, girls and boys.
Sans, G. (2022, November 14). Gender Biases in Preventing Violent Extremism Policies. International Affairs Forum.
Expertise: Gender, Youth & Community Engagement, Policy & Institutional Capacity
Sans, G. (2022, August 19). Counter-Terrorism Strategy that Reduces Violent Extremism. The Jakarta Post.
Counter-Terrorism Strategy That Reduces Violent Extremism
This opinion piece argues that relying primarily on military action and the removal of extremist leaders is insufficient to address the underlying drivers of violent extremism. It advocates community-led prevention, dialogue, reintegration, counter-narratives and measurable programme outcomes. It uses USAID's Voices for Peace project in northern Cameroon as a practical example of community radio, local engagement and reconciliation.
Expertise: Policy & Institutional Capacity; Research & Knowledge Production