Addressing Domestic Extremism & Fostering Dialogue Over Division

Presented by: Polarization and Violence Transformed (PiVoT) Peace Lab 

Title: Addressing Domestic Extremism & Fostering Dialogue Over Division 

Join us for an engaging discussion on the rise of right-wing extremism in the United States. Facilitated by Carter School graduate students, this Fall 2025 Peace Week session brings together the academic rigor of social science research and the lived experience of a former January 6th insurrectionist. Topics will include the nature of domestic extremism, its psychological drivers, and how we can better bridge the political divide through prosocial approaches. 

Speakers: 

• Randy Lioz, GMU Graduate Student; Carter School PiVoT Peace Lab; Braver Angels 
• Emily Williams, GMU Graduate Student; Carter School PiVoT Peace Lab; Mindbridge Center Countering Extremism Directive 
• Pasha Dashtgard, PhD, Director of Research, Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab - PERIL, American University 
• Pamela Hemphill, Retired Substance Abuse Counselor; Convicted for participating in the January 6th, 2021, Attack on the U.S. Capitol