Hilary Pilkington

Professor Hilary Pilkington is a leading sociologist at the University of Manchester, specializing in youth studies, radicalisation processes, and qualitative research methods. She holds a prestigious position as a Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences and has coordinated major EU-funded projects like DARE and PROMISE. Her work critically examines youth engagement with extremist milieus through ethnographic approaches, challenging deterministic radicalisation theories. She actively contributes to counter-extremism policy development through initiatives like the Academic-Practitioner Countering Extremism Network (APCEN) and the Independent Commission on UK Counter-Terrorism Law.

Her research spans post-socialist societies, with prior leadership roles at the University of Birmingham and Warwick. Key projects include studying Russian youth drug cultures (ESRC), punk subcultures (AHRC), and UK government Prevent programme impacts (PROMISE). She co-developed a 'mediated dialogue' toolkit with the Tim Parry Jonathan Ball Peace Foundation to address community polarization.

• Education: Advanced studies in Russian society and culture
• Affiliations: Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law, APCEN, Manchester's Digital Futures initiative

Research focuses on non-linear radicalisation trajectories, emphasizing community-led solutions over security measures. She critiques current CVE approaches for neglecting youth agency and has advised local and national policymakers post-Manchester Arena attack.

• Major Grants: DARE (€6.5M), PROMISE (€3.8M), MYPLACE (FP7)
• Public Engagement: Regular media contributions on far-right dynamics and extremism