Paul Thomas
Professor of Youth and Policy, School of Education and Professional Development, University of Huddersfield
2022
Paul Thomas is Professor of Youth and Policy in the School of Education and Professional Development at the University of Huddersfield, UK. Paul’s research focusses on how Countering Violent Extremism policies such as the UK’s Prevent Strategy have been understood and enacted by frontline practitioners, particularly educationalists such as youth workers, community workers and teachers, and experienced by communities. It has led to books such as, Responding to the Threat of Violent Extremism: Failing to Prevent (Bloomsbury, 2012), articles in many leading academic journals, and presenting research evidence to the UK House of Commons. Paul’s ‘Community Reporting Thresholds’ research with colleagues in Australia, the UK, USA and Canada has focussed on barriers to community members reporting concerns about an ‘intimate’ (a close friend, partner, or family member) becoming involved in violent extremism. Paul is a qualified Youth and Community Worker, and previously worked for the UK Government’s Commission for Racial Equality.
The effort to eradicate hate requires the active participation of every component of our society, to include governments, the private sector, communities of faith and indeed every aspect of civil society. There is no more urgent task in front of us. The organizers of the Eradicate Hate Global Summit are doing the United States and the world an enormous service by tackling hatred and extremism with a focus on honest dialogue and conversation, genuine learning and practical solutions. This will not happen overnight, but the Pittsburgh community’s leadership in this effort is genuinely inspiring and motivating.
