"I research how and why individuals join and leave Islamist extremist groups."
Julie Chernov Hwang
Associate ProfessorPolitical Science and International Relations
Julie Chernov Hwang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science and International Relations at Goucher College. She received her PhD in 2007 from the University of Colorado-Boulder. Her research focuses on how social networks facilitate entry into and exit from jihadist groups in Southeast Asia. She analyzes the processes and pathways via which individuals join and become active in Islamist extremist groups; what motivates inter-group switching; how jihadists disengage from violence and the various permutations of disengagement; and what factors enable successful reintegration and deradicalization. Prior to embarking on this research trajectory, her research centered on Islamist party behavior and state-Islamist group relations.
She is the author of Why Terrorists Quit: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists (Ithaca: Cornell University Press, 2018) and Peaceful Islamist Mobilization in the Muslim World: What Went Right (New York: Palgrave, 2009) and co-editor of Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World, (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2014 w/ Quinn Mecham). Her research has been published in Terrorism and Political Violence, Asian Survey, Southeast Asia Research, Contemporary Southeast Asia, Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, Katha, The Monkey Cage, Lawfare, Asia-Pacific Issues, RSIS Commentaries, Inside Indonesia, Democracy Digest, and the Middle East-Asia Project. She is on the board of Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Asian Security, and Journal of Deradicalization.
Research, Scholarship, Creative Work in Progress
Currently, she is working on a book project exploring the factors that propel Southeast Asian Muslims to join Islamist extremist groups and the pathways via which one joins. A second project investigates why individuals switch between Islamist extremist groups and delineates a series of six factors that motivate such switches. A third co-authored project analyzes how individuals deradicalize and what the process of deradicalization entails, drawing on original fieldwork from the United Kingdom and Indonesia.
Publications
Books
Chernov Hwang, J (2018) Why Terrorists Quit: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
Mecham, Q and Chernov Hwang, J. (2014). Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
Chernov Hwang, J (2011). Umat Bergerak: Mobilisasi Damai Kaum Islamis di Indonesia, Malaysia dan Turki. Jakarta: Freedom Institute for Democracy, Nationalism and Market Studies.
Chernov Hwang, J. (2009), Peaceful Islamist Mobilization in the Muslim World: What Went Right. New York: Palgrave Press. Paperback December 2011 with new epilogue.
Articles
Chernov Hwang, J. “Why Jihadists Switch: Inter-Group Migration among Indonesian Jihadists” Under Review at International Security
Chernov Hwang, J. “Dakwah Before Jihad: Understanding the Behavior of Jemaah Islamiyah,” Forthcoming from Contemporary Southeast Asia. April 2019.
Chernov Hwang, J. (2018), “Pathways into Terrorism: Joining Islamist Extremist Groups in Asia,” a special issue of Terrorism and Political Violence. First published online July 6, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2018.1481186
Chernov Hwang, J. and Schulze, K. (2018), “Why They Join: Pathways to Entry among Indonesian Jihadists.” in Pathways into Terrorism, a Special Issue of Terrorism and Political Violence. First published online July 6, 2018. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2018.1481309
Chernov Hwang, J. (2017), “The Disengagement of Jihadists in Indonesia: Understanding the Pathways.” Terrorism and Political Violence. 29:2 p277-295. Published Online, July 22, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1080/09546553.2015.1034855
Chernov Hwang, J., Panggabean, R., and Ali Fauzi, I. (2013) “When We Were Separated, We Began to Think for Ourselves Again: The Disengagement of Jihadis in Poso, Indonesia,” Asian Survey. 53:4 p754-77
Chernov Hwang, J. (2010) “When Parties Swing: Islamist Parties and Institutional Moderation in Malaysia and Indonesia,” Southeast Asia Research, 18:4. P635-674
Chernov Hwang, J. and Sadiq, K. (2010). “Legislating Separation and Solidarity in Plural Societies: The Chinese in Indonesia and Malaysia,” Nationalism and Ethnic Politics. 16:2. p192-215
Chernov Hwang, J. (2007) “Islamic Mobilization and the Malaysian State,” Katha: The Official Journal of the Centre for Civilizational Dialogue. 3:1 p45-64
Chernov, Julie. (2003). “Plural Society Revisited: Chinese-Indigenous Relations in Southeast Asia.” Nationalism and Ethnic Politics, 9:2 p103-127
Book Chapters
Schulze, K. and Chernov Hwang, J. (2019) “How the Global Remains Local: ISIS in Indonesia,” in Exporting Jihad: Critical Perspectives from the Periphery Eds. Tom Smith and Kirsten Schulze. Forthcoming
Mecham Q. and Chernov Hwang, J. (2014) “Introduction: The Emergence and Development of Islamist Parties,” in Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World. Eds. Quinn Mecham and Julie Chernov Hwang. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. P1-17
Chernov Hwang, J. (2014). “Patterns of Normalization: The Behavior of Islamist Political Parties in Indonesia” in Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World, Eds. Quinn Mecham and Julie Chernov Hwang. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. P58-83
Chernov Hwang, J. and Mecham Q. (2014). “Conclusion: The New Dynamism of Islamist Parties,” in Islamist Parties and Political Normalization in the Muslim World, Eds. Quinn Mecham and Julie Chernov Hwang. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press. P175-192
Chernov Hwang, J. (2012). “Islamic Identity, Yes, Islamist Parties, No: The Mainstreaming of Political Islam and its Challenge for Islamist Parties in Indonesia” in The Multicultural Dilemma: Migration, Ethnic Politics and State Intermediation. Ed. Michelle Williams, London: Routledge. P84-99
Chernov Hwang, J. (2008).“Education and Social Cohesion in Malaysia and Indonesia,” in Religious Diversity and Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis. Ed. Bryan Turner. Oxford: Bardwell Press.
Non-Peer Reviewed Publications:
Chernov Hwang, J. “New Research Shows Why Terrorists Quit Terrorism.” Monkey Cage at the Washington Post. July 12, 2018
Chernov Hwang, J. “The Unintended Consequences of Amending Indonesia’s Anti-Terrorism Law,” Lawfare, October 1, 2017
Chernov Hwang, J. “Why Banning Extremist Groups is Dangerous for Indonesia,” Monkey Cage at the Washington Post. July 19, 2017
Chernov Hwang, J. “Jihadist Disengagement from Violence: Understanding the Contributing Factors.” RSIS Commentaries CO16139. June 9, 2016
Chernov Hwang, J. and Ismail, N. “There and Back Again: Indonesian Fighters in Syria.” Middle East Asia Project. January 24, 2015
Chernov Hwang, J., “Terrorism in Perspective: An Assessment of Jihad Project Trends in Indonesia” Asia-Pacific Issues #104, September 2012
Chernov Hwang, J. “Turning Away from Terror.” Inside Indonesia. July 2013
Chernov Hwang, J. “When Islamists Mobilize-What Went Right.” Democracy Digest, February 3, 2012
Other Publications
“Jihadist Disengagement from Violence: Understanding the Contributing Factors.” RSIS Commentaries CO16139. June 9, 2016
“There and Back Again: Indonesian Fighters in Syria.” Middle East Asia Project. January 24, 2015
"Patterns of Normalization: The Behavior of Islamist Political Parties in Indonesia" to be published in Playing by the Rules: Islamist Parties in Asia and the Middle East, Edited by Julie Chernov Hwang and Quinn Mecham. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press © 2014
“Terrorism in Perspective: An Assessment of Jihad Project Trends in Indonesia” Asia-Pacific Issues #104, September 2012
"Islamic Identity, Yes, Islamist Parties, No: The Mainstreaming of Political Islam and its Challenge for Islamist Parties in Indonesia" in The Multicultural Dilemma: Migration, Ethnic Politics and State Intermediation. Ed. Michelle Williams, London: Routledge. © 2012
"Education and Social Cohesion in Malaysia and Indonesia," in Religious Diversity and Civil Society: A Comparative Analysis. Ed. Bryan Turner. Oxford: Bardwell Press. © 2008
External Awards, Honors, Grants
Smith Richardson Grant to study the processes via which Indonesians and Malaysians are joining Islamist extremist groups ($190,500) (2017-2019)
Crosby Grant, Goucher College, ($1500), (Summer 2015, 2011)
Summer Faculty Research Grant, Goucher College, ($3500), (Summer 2012)
US-Indonesia Society Travel Grant for research in Central Sulawesi ($2500) Summer 2011
Conference Papers & Panel Participation
Chernov Hwang, J. “Understanding the Changing Landscape of Islamist Extremism in Indonesia,” presented at the International Studies Association Annual Meeting, March 27-30, 2019
Chernov Hwang, J. “Deradicalization Revisited: Lessons from Indonesia.” presented at the International Studies Association Annual Meeting, March 27-30, 2019
Chernov Hwang, J. “Why They Join: The Pathways to Entry among Indonesian Jihadists,” Presented at the International Studies Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California April 4-7, 2018
Chernov Hwang, J. “The State and Civil Society in Indonesia: Divergent Approaches to Counter Terrorism.” Presented at the International Studies Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco, California April 4-7, 2018
Chernov Hwang, J. “Indonesian Foreign Fighters: Comparing the Afghan and Syrian Generations.” Foreign Fighters: New Directions and Challenges Workshop. Elliott School of International Affairs. George Washington University. March 6-7, 2018
Chernov Hwang, J. “The Disengagement and Reintegration of Indonesian Jihadists.” Militant Islam in Southeast Asia. Workshop. London School of Economics. London, UK. January 19, 2018
Chernov Hwang, J. “Why Indonesians Become Members of Islamist Extremist Groups,” Association for Asian Studies Annual Meeting, Toronto, CA March 16-19, 2017
Chernov Hwang, J. “Why They Join: Indonesian Participation in Islamist Extremist Movements.” International Studies Association Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD February 23-25, 2017
Chernov Hwang, J. “Pathways to Entry: Joining a Terrorist Group in Indonesia.” International Studies Association, Atlanta, GA, March 16-19, 2016
Chernov Hwang, J. “The Role of the State and Civil Society in Disengagement Initiatives,” International Studies Association Annual Meeting. Atlanta, Georgia, March 16-19, 2016
Chernov Hwang, J. “The Importance of Belonging: The Relationship between Joining ISIS and Affiliation.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Meeting. Seattle, WA, March 30-April 3, 2016
Chernov Hwang, J. “We Need to Make Friends, Not Create Enemies: Why Jihadis Turn Away from Terror Tactics.” Association for Asian Studies in Asia, Singapore July 17-19, 2014
Chernov Hwang, J. “Life Histories of Radicalization and Disengagement Amid the Ambon and Poso Conflicts: A Tale of Four Jihadis.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Meeting, Philadelphia, PA, March 27-30, 2014
Chernov Hwang, J. “Introduction: Reconsidering Violence: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists,” International Studies Association, San Francisco, CA, April 4-7 2013
Chernov Hwang, J. “Islamic Identity, Yes, Islamist Parties, No: The Mainstreaming of Political Islam and its Challenge for Islamist Parties in Indonesia” International Political Science Association, Madrid, Spain, July 8-12, 2012
Chernov Hwang, J. “The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists: Understanding the Pathways.” Association for Asian Studies Annual Meeting, Toronto, Canada, March 16-18, 2012
Chernov Hwang, J. “Reconsidering Amaliyat: The Disengagement of Militants From Jemaah Islamiyah and KOMPAK” Indonesian Terrorism in a Global Context Workshop, Australia National University, Canberra, ACT, December 5-6, 2011
Chernov Hwang, J., Panggabean, R., and Ali Fauzi, I. “When We Were Separated, We Began to Think for Ourselves Again: The Disengagement of Jihadis in Poso, Indonesia,” Association for Asian Studies Annual Meeting, Honolulu, Hawaii, March 31-April 4, 2011
Chernov Hwang, J. and Mecham, Q., “What Affects the Electoral Success of Islamist Parties? Explaining the Divergent Trajectories of the PKS in Indonesia and the AKP in Turkey.” Association for Asian Studies, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, March 25-28, 2010,
Invited Talks
Book launches for Why Terrorists Quit: the Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists. March-September 2018:
US-Indonesia Society/Johns Hopkins-SAIS joint event, Washington DC.
Gadjah Mada University, Yogyakarta, Indonesia.
Institute for International Peacebuilding, Jakarta, Indonesia.
Naval Postgraduate School, Monterrey, CA
New York Southeast Asia Network, NYU.
LeMoyne College, Syracuse, NY.
START at the University of Maryland, College Park.
George Washington University-Elliot School for International Affairs.
Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.
“Disengaging Indonesian Jihadists: What Works.” Lecture at the US-Indonesia Society. July 20, 2016
“Disengagement in the Indonesian Jihadist Community: Jemaah Islamiyah, Mujahidin KOMPAK and Tanah Runtuh.” Public Lecture at RS Rajaratnam School for International Studies. Singapore. June 10, 2016
“The Disengagement and Reintegration of Indonesian Jihadists: Implications for Policy.” briefing for government officials, embassy staffer, think tank officials, and RSIS academics. RS Rajaratnam School for International Studies, Singapore. June 10, 2016
Briefing of US Embassy Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) Team. US Embassy, Jakarta. June 8, 2016
“Reconsidering Violence: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists. Center for Middle East Studies and Global Peace at the State Islamic University-Syarif Hidayatullah, Ciputat, Indonesia June 2, 2016,
“Reconsidering Violence: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadists,” Universitas Islam Sebelas Maret, Bekasi Indonesia, June 2015
“Islamist Political Parties in the Middle East and Asia.” Brookings Institution. October 2014.
“Patterns of Disengagement among Indonesian Jihadists,” Institute for International Peace Building, Jakarta, Indonesia, January 18, 2012
“Relationships, Rational Analysis and Random Acts of Kindness: The Disengagement of Militants from Central Sulawesi,” Indonesia Studies Group, Australian National University, Canberra, Australia, December 7, 2011
“Counter-Terrorism Strategy in Indonesia: Adapting to a Changed Threat.” US-Indonesia Society, Washington DC, Thursday, November 17, 2011
“Assessing Violence: The Disengagement of Indonesian Jihadis,” East West Center, Washington DC, Tuesday, November 15, 2011.
“Salafi Jihadis in Southeast Asia: A Global Threat?” RAND Institute, October 6, 20
Academic or Professional Associations
American Political Science Association
International Studies Association
Association for Asian Studies
News
- January 30, 2024
Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations Julie Chernov Hwang has been selected as a 2024-25 Harry Frank Guggenheim Distinguished Scholar. Chernov Hwang will use the fellowship to build a database for conducting research on how ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Indonesia's Jemaah Islamiyah construct terror cells.
- March 2, 2023
Four Goucher College faculty members have been selected as the 2023 recipients of the Myra Berman Kurtz Fund for Faculty Research and Exploration of the Sciences (KRES Fund) Year of Exploration.