What is the IPCVE?

Saint Paul University (SPU) is proud to launch the Institute for Prevention of Conflicts and Violent Extremism (IPCVE), a new centre dedicated to advancing research, training, and interventions in conflict prevention and the fight against violent extremism. Based in Ottawa, the Institute seeks to strengthen social cohesion and public safety, as well as national and international security through knowledge creation and mobilization. The Institute draws on SPU’s existing strengths in conflict studies, trauma counselling, ethics and comparative theology.

The IPCVE equips professionals and communities with the skills needed to prevent radicalization to violent extremism, support early disengagement, and intervene effectively when violence arises.

How does it work?

The IPCVE operates as a multidisciplinary hub bringing together researchers, practitioners, and community members committed to understanding and addressing the roots of radicalization to violence. Its work is guided by a four-level strategy:

Studying the progression of radicalization leading to violent extremism.
Detecting, assessing, and analyzing risks.
Designing and implementing prevention and disengagement programs.
Developing capacity-building initiatives in security and justice.

Training and Outreach

The IPCVE offers graduate and professional training programs leading to certification. Potential participants include professionals from mental health services and related fields, conflict resolution and mediation; as well as members of law enforcement, national and international security engaged in conflict prevention and countering violent extremism.

Organization

Located within SPU’s library and affiliated with the Faculty of Human Sciences and Philosophy, the Institute is co-directed by two leading experts in conflict prevention and risk assessment. The co-directors are supported by graduate students and an advisory board drawn from academic and institutional partners.

Dr. Buuma Maisha

Co-Director

Associate Professor in the School of Counselling, Psychotherapy and Spirituality at Saint Paul University. His research focuses on trauma, sexual and culture-driven violence, and the contextualization of psychotherapy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

View full profile →

Dr. Elaine Pressman

Co-Director

Dr. Elaine Pressman is a Visiting Professor at Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada in the Faculty of Human Sciences and Philosophy and is a Founding Director of the Institute for the Prevention of Conflicts and Violent Extremism. She is also a Distinguished Senior Fellow and Scientific Expert at the Netherlands Institute of Forensic Psychiatry and Psychology (NIFP) in the Ministry of Justice and Security of The Netherlands.

She has held past international positions as an Associate Fellow of the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism (ICCT) in The Hague, Senior Research Fellow at the Canadian Centre for Intelligence and Security Studies at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. She has served as a Subject Matter Expert and Senior Fellow in risk and threat assessment at the Critical Incidents Response Group (CIRG) and the Behavioural Science Unit (BSU) of the US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in Quantico, Va., served as an Affiliate Professor at the University of Malta in Information Policy and Governance/Security Research, and she has been an invited lecturer at the FBI National Academy in the USA.

Dr. Pressman has been requested to advise countries and provide training to national security professionals on four continents. She has also been an invited expert to the United Nations Office of Drugs, Crime and Terrorism (UNODC), the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Council of Europe (COE), the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF), the Hedayah Centre for Countering Violent Extremism, the International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law (IIJ), the US State Department, the Australian Government (Home Affairs), and many other governments, organizations and international agencies. In addition to other international appointments, Dr. Pressman has been honoured by being Knighted in the Order of the Netherlands Lion in recognition of her contribution to international public safety.