Dr Alexandra Stein is one of the world’s leading experts on ideological extremism and dangerous social relationships, including the dynamics of cults and extremist groups. She is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at London South Bank University, having previously been an Associate Lecturer at Birkbeck, University of London.

Dr Stein has made many important contributions to the understanding of cults. She is the author of the books Terror, Love and Brainwashing: Attachment in Cults and Totalitarian Systems and Inside Out: A Memoir of Entering and Breaking Out of a Minneapolis Political Cult. She also offers a range of services, programs and materials designed to help people protect themselves (and others) from recruitment and indoctrination by cults or similar groups.

Dr Stein has written on cults, or contributed to the coverage and discussion of cults, for a number of prominent media outlets. These include The Independent, NBC, the BBC, The Daily Telegraph, Rolling Stone, The Daily Mail and Psychology Today.