Public engagement

Keynote speaker

• “Countering Terrorism and Violent Extremism in the Public Interest”  (Asser Institute): October 2023.
• “National Roundtable: The Role of Gender in Exit Programmes.” Violence Prevention Network, Germany, November 3, 2020.
• Inaugural Keynote for 2020, “A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11.” The 9/11 Museum, New York, February 10, 2020 
• “Women in terrorism,” OUSSG, All Souls College, Oxford University. 22 May 2019.

Podcasts and webinars

• Webinar: FCDO NSRG CT 101 session, “Women and Terrorism”. September 2024.
• Webinar: Launch of “The ISIS Complaint Box” with Hedayah and Countering Terrorism Center at West Point. August 2024.
• Podcast: “Growing up in Violent Extremist Affiliated Families,” XCEPT project (War Studies, King’s College London). January 2024.
• Webinar: “Foundations of the Foreign Fighter Problem: Investigating Blindspots Relating to Gender, Minors, & Families.” NCITE and GWU-POE, 2 February 2022.
• Webinar: “A Woman’s Place: Reflections on Women in Counterterrorism Since 9/11.” The International Centre for Counterterrorism (ICCT), 9 September 2021.
• “SCI Book Talk – A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11,” University of Southern California Safe Communities Institute, 11 March 2021.
• “Dr Joana Cook – CSTPV Postgraduate Workshop 2021,” St. Andrews University, 23 February 2021.
• Podcast. “Gender and counterterrorism.”  Interpol, Capacity Building and Training Directorate. September 25, 2020. 
• Webinar: “Women, Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism.”  Monash  University, GPS Gender and Violent Extremism Research Series. 9 September 2020. 
• Webinar: “Women and Terrorism/Counter-terrorism.” Public Safety Canada. 15 July 2020. 
• Podcast: “Women in the Terrorism and Violent Extremism Online Landscape.” Tech Against Terrorism. 30 June 2020. 
• Webinar: “Challenges posed by returning FTFs and global responsibilities.”   PVE Practitioner Series #6, UNDP, 23 June 2020. 
• Webinar: “Gender and Violent Extremism Today.” The International Centre for Counterterrorism (ICCT). 4 June 2020
• Podcast: “A Woman’s Place: US counterterrorism Since 9/11.” 24 March 2020.  New Books Network: New Books in National Security.
• Podcast: “Women in terrorism and counterterrorism since 9/11” 2020. War Studies podcast, King’s College London.
• “Prof. Huckerby: Interview with Dr. Joana Cook on ‘A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11,'” Duke Law, January 2020.
• “Thinking more about women and security.” TEDx. June 3, 2019. London Business  School, London, UK.

Public Impact

• 2020 – Cited by “Political Violence at a Glance” as a Top Read for 2020 (“A Woman’s Place”)
• 2020 – Shortlisted for the British International Studies Association (BISA) Susan Strange Best Book Prize for “A Woman’s Place: US Counterterrorism Since 9/11.”
• 2019 – Shortlisted for King’s Award, “Most Outstanding Contribution to Media Engagement Award.” King’s College London.
• 2019 – Shortlisted for “Women of the Future” award (Commonwealth category). 
• 2019 – TEDx talk, “A woman’s place in security.” London, UK
• 2018 – Crowning Achievement Award. Young Alumni of the Year, University of Regina. 
• 2017 – Selected and profiled as a “CBC Top 40 under 40.”
• 2017 – “The Fight Against Terrorism.” Degrees Magazine. Fall/Winter 2017. Vol. 29. No. 2. Feature article profiling my research in University of Regina Alumni Magazine.  

Presentations, briefings, lectures

I regularly engage with international policymakers, practitioners, and academic audiences on issues related to terrorism, violent extremism, and counterterrorism. I have presented my research and expertise to organizations including the United Nations Security Council, UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (UN-CTED), UNODC, UNDP, NATO, the European Union External Action Service, Europol , Eurojust, the EU Working Party on Terrorism (COTER), the Council of Europe, the Global Coalition Against Daesh, and national government, intelligence, prosecution, and law-enforcement bodies in Europe and North America. I have also presented at leading universities and research institutions including the University of Oxford, King’s College London, Georgetown University, Cambridge University, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS). My professional engagement spans issues including women and children associated with terrorist organizations, foreign terrorist fighters, rehabilitation and reintegration, radicalisation, gender and security, and emerging challenges related to AI and terrorism. A central focus of this work is connecting academic research with policy and practice and ensuring that research contributes to contemporary debates and responses to terrorism and violent extremism.