Dr. John McCoy joined the OICD in 2014 as Director of Applied Research and has worked extensively on defining the OICD’s research approach to counter extremism programming.

John is an expert in homegrown violent extremism and newcomer integration. He holds a Master of Strategic Studies from the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary and a Doctor of Philosophy in Political Science from the University of Alberta. John is a Senior Research Affiliate with the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security & Society (TSAS). As well as his role as Director of Applied Research with the Organization for Identity and Cultural Development (OICD), John also lecturers at the University of Alberta in the Department of Political Science where he leads undergraduate and graduate courses on terrorism studies, international relations and foreign policy.

John has worked as an international policy consultant for a number of national governments, and international organizations. He has published numerous academic and government research papers, journal articles and op-eds on the subjects of homegrown violent extremism, newcomer integration and multiculturalism. He acts as an area expert in local media interviews and has presented his research findings at leading international academic and policy conferences.

Dr. John McCoy at the Canadian Network for Research on Terrorism, Security & Society (TSAS)