Joana Cook

Dr. Joana Cook is an Assistant Professor of Terrorism and Political Violence at Leiden University's Institute of Security and Global Affairs. She holds a PhD from King’s College London (Department of War Studies), with a research focus on women in violent extremism, counter-terrorism strategies, and non-state actor governance. Her recent work explores governance models of Islamist movements and radicalization factors.

Key publications include The Rule is for None but Allah, analyzing governance approaches of Islamist groups globally. She secured a 2024 Google Trust & Safety Research Grant with Graig Klein. Teaching includes MSc courses on terrorism, crisis management, and security.

Research projects include 'Countering Violent Extremist Content Online' and 'Networks and the Rule of Law.' She is affiliated with Women in International Security (WIIS-Netherlands).