Gavin Sullivan

Dr Sullivan is one of only three academic experts worldwide appointed to this important advisory body. Other IAC members include the US, UK and Canadian governments, the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate (CTED), and the European Commission.

The GIFCT is the world’s leading global governance body for countering terrorist and violent extremist content (TVEC) online. It was originally founded in 2017 by Facebook, Microsoft, Twitter (now X), and YouTube but reorganised in 2020 as an independent not-for-profit organisation with input from governments, international organisations, civil society organisations, and academics. It administers the world’s largest cross-platform database for removing online TVEC material.

Dr Sullivan said: “I am honoured to have been invited to join this important global advisory body. GIFCT is the leading global governance organisation for online counterterrorism and plays a key role in working with the world’s major platforms to create global standards and norms in this area. The decisions GIFCT takes produce important effects in the world – including through their cross-platform moderation of online content.

“I am very much looking forward to drawing from my research in this area and working with other IAC members from around the world to help shape these global processes.”