Personal profile
Biography
Professor Droogan is Head of the School of International Studies. He is also Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Policing, Intelligence and Counter Terrorism (Routledge) and co-convenor of the AVERT Research Network. Julian's academic research focusses on online extremism and disinformation, South Asian violent extremism, and terrorist cultures. Through his career, Julian has worked with a range of stakeholders from government, the private sector, and community groups to apply university-based research to devising solutions to contemporary security challenges. He has led research projects for the Australian and US Departments of Defence, for the NSW Government, and for the United States Institute for Peace, among others. These encompass topics such as mapping jihadist propaganda, young Australians' engagement with online violent extremist content, the rise of far-right and conspiratorial narratives through social media, and the spread of online disinformation in Australia's region. Julian was instrumental in designing the COMPACT countering violent extremism program, operated by Multicultural NSW and aimed at fostering broad societal resilience to violent extremism.
As well as supervising PhD and Masters of Research students, Julian convenes the courses PICT2015:Terrorism in the 21st Century as part of the Bachelor of Security Studies, and PICT8020: Advanced Terrorism Studies. He maintains several international agreements and partnerships with academic and practitioner organisations in Europe, the Middle East, and in South Asia, including the VOX-Pol Network.
Funded Research Projects
- 2025: Regional Dissinformation. $2.4 million
- 2023: Online Information Operations. $500,000.
- 2021: Right-Wing Extremism and Covid-19 in Australia. NSW Department of Communities and Justice. $150,000.
- 2021: Racially and ethnically motivated violent extremist Online Research – Australian Ecosystems. RESOLVE Network. $50,000.
- 2021: Mass influence operations.
- 2019: After Christchurch: Mapping the Networks and Narratives of Online Right-Wing Violent Extremism Online. NSW Department of Communities and Justice. $200,000.
- 2017: Evaluating CVE. All Together Now.
- 2017: CT and CVE for Bangladesh Police. DFAT Australia Awards Fellowship. $235,000.
- 2016: Understanding Youth Exposure to Online Extremist Materials. Australian Research Council. $285,000.
- 2015: Countering Violent Extremism in NSW. NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet. $100,000.
- 2014: Countering Violent Extremism Workshop. $25,000.
- 2011: Mapping Violence in Honiara. Australian Department of Defence. $18,000.
Education/Academic qualification
Graduate Certificate in Higher Education , Macquarie University
Doctor of Philosophy, University of Sydney
Bachelor of Arts (Hons), University of Sydney
External positions
Co-Convener, AVERT Network
1 Aug 2024 → …
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Training program for Local governments in NSW - Evidence Based Tailored Strategies for Preventing and Responding to Hate and Extremism
Droogan, J. (Primary Chief Investigator), Curtis, A. (Chief Investigator), Farida, M. (Chief Investigator), Camilleri, G. (Partner Investigator) & Wrigley, J. (Partner Investigator)
30/06/25 → 29/07/26
Project: Research
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(UTS led): Monitor, Detect, Assess, and Counter Information Operations in the Near-Abroad
Rizoiu, M.-A. (Chief Investigator), Droogan, J. (Primary Chief Investigator), Hawksley, C. (Associate Investigator), Williams, J. (Associate Investigator), Booth, E. (Associate Investigator), Bezzobs, T. (Associate Investigator) & Hunt, J. (Associate Investigator)
30/10/24 → 30/11/27
Project: Research
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Countering Violent Extremism Services Panel
Waldek, L. (Chief Investigator) & Droogan, J. (Primary Chief Investigator)
17/10/17 → …
Project: Research
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FT25: (Dis)Integrating the Past: How old states shape new wars
Droogan, J. (Primary Chief Investigator) & Butcher, C. (Fellow)
29/06/26 → 28/06/30
Project: Research
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Online Violent Extremism emotions, echo chambers, and unintended consequences: an audience perspective
Hamaid, M. (Student) & Droogan, J. (Supervisor)
1/12/23 → 5/12/25
Project: Research
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Foreign influence operations in Indonesia: an exploratory study
Nuraniyah, N., Williams, J. & Droogan, J., 2026, (In preparation) In: Pacific Review.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Global Terrorism
Lutz, B. J., Tan, A. T. H. & Droogan, J., 2026, 5th ed. London ; New York: Routledge, Taylor and Francis Group. 404 p.Research output: Book/Report › Book › peer-review
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Terrorism as a global security challenge
Droogan, J., Apr 2026, De Gruyter handbook of global security challenges. Smith, M. L. R., Tan, A. C. & Tan, A. T. H. (eds.). Berlin: De Gruyter, p. 211-225 15 p. (De Gruyter Contemporary Social Sciences Handbooks; vol. 46).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Themes and prevalence of Chinese influence in the Melanesian social media environment
Williams, J., Booth, E., Droogan, J., Bailo, F. & Rizoiu, M.-A., 2026, (In preparation) In: Australian Journal of International Affairs.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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Vectors of influence and disinformation in Melanesia
Williams, J., Booth, E., Borg, J., Droogan, J. & Rizoiu, M.-A., 2026, (In preparation) Grey zones unveiled: comparing Russia's and China's hybrid strategies in Europe and the Indo-Pacific.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter › peer-review
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Disinformation in Pacific Island States: Responding to Diverse People, Places, and Spaces
Williams, J. (Speaker), Droogan, J. (Speaker), Booth, E. (Speaker) & Rizoiu, M.-A. (Speaker)
19 Nov 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Presentation
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Ethics of Terrorism Research
Waldek, L. (Participant) & Droogan, J. (Participant)
3 Sept 2018Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop or event series
Press/Media
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US Inspired rightwing extremism an 'insidious' threat to Australia Study Finds
9/10/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
Impacts
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Resilience to Extremism
Droogan, J. (Participant) & Waldek, L. (Participant)
Impact: Culture impacts, Society impacts