Tahir Abbas, FRSA FAcSS
Sociologist | Expert on Radicalisation, Extremism, Ethnic Relations, and Inclusive Societies
As a Professor of Radicalisation Studies at the Institute of Security and Global Affairs, Leiden University (The Hague), and an Honorary Professor at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, University of Exeter, I bring nearly three decades of academic and professional expertise. My interdisciplinary work integrates political sociology and critical theory, focusing on the complexities of radicalisation, Islamophobia, and ethnic relations.
I have led pioneering research on radicalisation, extremism, and social exclusion, including as Scientific Coordinator for the EC-funded H2020 DRIVE project (2021–2024) and as Principal Investigator for the EC-funded PROTONE project (2023–2025), exploring the protection of religious spaces across Europe.
Previously, I served as Professor of Sociology at Istanbul University, Reader in Sociology at the University of Birmingham, and Senior Research Officer for the UK government. My multidisciplinary approach combines academic insight with policy impact, contributing to national and international discussions on counterterrorism, integration, and identity.
I am the author and editor of numerous influential works, including Ethnicity, Religion, and Education in the UK (Routledge, 2024, co-edited with K. Iqbal) and Global Counter-Terrorism: A Decolonial Approach (Manchester University Press, 2025, co-edited with S. Dutta and S.I. Bergh). My publications span monographs, edited collections, peer-reviewed papers, book chapters, and encyclopaedia entries, shaping debates in radicalisation, extremism, and political violence.
As a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences and the Royal Society of Arts, I am committed to advancing knowledge and fostering impactful collaborations across academia, policymaking, and the broader public.
Professorial Profile [24-04-2024]
