Professor Ian Acheson
senior advisor, Counter Extremism Project; visiting professor, school of law, policing and forensics, University of Staffordshire

Ian is senior adviser at the Counter Extremism Project, a high-profile US-based NGO that promotes effective practice and innovation on countering violent extremism worldwide. He advises governments across the globe on the operations of their justice systems and managing high risk people, as well as being an extensive writer and commentator on prison reform and public safety.

He teaches prison counter-insurgency at the University of Exeter’s strategic security institute as well a being a visiting professor at the University of Staffordshire school of justice, security and sustainability where he was awarded an honorary doctorate.

From an early career in Her Majesty’s Prison Service, Ian had rapidly ascended from a front line prison officer to become the Head of Security in HMP Wandsworth. He pioneered unique programmes to reduce prison violence and reintegrate drug addicts. His work took him to the Home Office, where as a senior civil servant he was in charge of Community Safety in South West England. He led the ‘landmark’ independent review of Islamist extremism in prisons and probation, commissioned by Michael Gove.

Ian was also a special volunteer constable for Devon and Cornwall constabulary, which earned him the Queens Diamond Jubilee medal.

Follow Ian on X/Twitter @notthatbigian

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