Projects per year
Personal profile
Biography
Helen Stenger is a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (CEVAW) at Monash University. She holds a Ph.D. in Politics and International Relations from Monash University, a Master of Arts in International Relations from Leiden University and a Master of Science in Clinical Neuropsychology from the University of Groningen. She previously worked for a civil society organisation implementing community-based strategies to prevent violent extremism while focusing on women’s empowerment.
Her research interest lies at the intersection of extremism, including Islamist, far right and Buddhist, and gender-based violence. Helen Stenger’s work has been published in the European Journal of International Security and the Global Network on Extremism and Technology. Her forthcoming book is titled Returning Home: An Intersectional Analysis of the Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of Foreign Fighters.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 1 No Poverty -
SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being -
SDG 5 Gender Equality -
SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or
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Journal of Sociology Special Issue: ‘Gendered Violence: Who/What Gets Left Out?’
Douglas, H. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Dutta, D. (Associate Investigator (AI)), Stenger, H. (Associate Investigator (AI)) & Holden, J. (Project Manager)
Project: Research
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Assessing the Impact of Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Initiatives in Cambodia and Lao PDR
True, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Stenger, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Davies, S. E. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Holden, J. (Project Manager)
1/03/25 → 31/03/26
Project: Research
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Networks for Peace: Gender and Violent Extremism Research
True, J. (Primary Chief Investigator (PCI)), Phelan, A. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Stenger, H. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Riveros Morales, Y. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Mead, J. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Buranajaroenkij, D. (Chief Investigator (CI)), Gunasena Serasundera, A. M. (Chief Investigator (CI)) & Fernando, V. (Chief Investigator (CI))
United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Monash University – Internal School Contribution
31/03/22 → 31/07/24
Project: Research
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The global rise of extremisms: towards a gendered analytical framework
Stenger, H. & True, J., Sept 2026, In: European Journal of Politics and Gender. 9, 3, p. 499-522 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open AccessFile6 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
What keeps women safe from violence during shocks? Review of risk and protective factors in the Indo-Pacific region
Oo, P. P., Stenger, H., Gan, C., Davies, S. E. & True, J., 15 Feb 2026, In: International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. 134, 14 p., 106027.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus) -
Cyclones to coups: Crises drive violence against women
Stenger, H. & Oo, P.-P., 5 Dec 2025, 1 p. Australia : The Interpreter: The Lowy Institute.Research output: Other contribution › Other
Open Access -
Impact of social, political, and environmental events on violence against women in the Indo-Pacific
Stenger, H., Oo, P. P., Gan, C. C. R., Davies, S. E. & True, J., 2025, (Accepted/In press) In: Trauma, Violence & Abuse. 16 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review Article › Research › peer-review
Open Access2 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus) -
Returning Home: An Intersectional Analysis of the Repatriation, Rehabilitation and Reintegration of ISIS Returnees
Stenger, H., 2025, 1st ed. Berlin Germany: Walter de Gruyter. 160 p. (Women, Peace and Security; vol. 2)Research output: Book/Report › Book › Research › peer-review
Activities
- 2 External HDR Supervision
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PhD Supervision Griffith University
Stenger, H. (Fellow)
2025 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › External HDR Supervision
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Doctoral Guidance Committee at Ghent University (Belgium)
Stenger, H. (Fellow)
2025 → …Activity: External Academic Engagement › External HDR Supervision
Press/Media
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Returning Home: Women’s life after ISIS
1/07/24
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Blogs
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COVID-19 and violent extremist groups: adapting to an evolving crisis
Phelan, A., Veronika, N. W., Stenger, H. & Gayatri, I. H.
28/04/20
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Blogs, Podcasts and Social Media › Blogs