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11.2.3 Violent radicalisation
Understanding and counterstrategies
Today’s scientifi c research into violent radicalisation must be considered fragmentary and embryonic at best. Resources
needs to be developed that provides cohesive focus for existing fragmented research eff orts across national boundaries.
Some baseline research has been conducted that provides useful direction. The European Commission through its network of
experts commissioned four studies during 2007-8 that focused on: 1) triggering factors for violent radicalisation; 2) the beliefs,
ideologies and narratives of violent radicals; 3) recruitment and mobilisation of support; 4) best practices in preventing and
countering radicalisation.
Research is needed as well on the mechanisms of radicalisation as on counter radicalisation eff orts.
The following ten research suggestions provide a comprehensive approach to the next wave of research into violent
radicalisation.
1. State-of-the-art research inventory into radicalisation
Research into violent radicalisation is fragmentary and often fails to integrate the dynamic interrelationship with
countermeasures against the terrorist threat. This dynamic relationship changes constantly the nature of the radicalisation
challenge. No research exists that captures this evolving complexity.
More research needs to be conducted that encapsulates the existing growing literature, theories and methods into
radicalisation research; models and existing fi ndings which are critiqued and accumulated to prepare the way for the next
wave of research. Much research focuses on the pathways into radicalisation and some have emerged on disengagement
and exit strategies out of radicalisation networks and milieus. There needs to be a critical evaluation of the strengths and
weaknesses of existing research and future research priorities. More research needs to focus on the connectivity between
radicalisation as a phenomenon and the way in which countermeasures aff ect and changes it. More interdisciplinary
research agendas are necessary as radicalisation is simultaneously involving individual socio-psychological factors; social
and political factors; religious dimensions; cultural identity and group dynamics. Capturing the dynamics and complexity of
these interrelationships in specifi c national contexts and over time is a prioritised research theme.
2. Violent Radicalisation in Education
Research into radicalisation has found that education can be considered both as a key infl uencer and major intervention
point. This means that more research needs to focus on curriculum development that takes into account radicalisation;
best practices and models on how to approach and achieve eff ective delivery across levels and milieus; strategies for
responding to radicalisation especially in higher education; capacity building and inter cultural competence development
within educational establishments; for teachers; and for local public offi cials. Development of confl ict resolution models
needs to be considered within education to better build resilience against the forces of radicalisation and as a mechanism
to handle cultural clashes that occurs in identity building among youths. How do youths navigate between diff erent
cultural identities; does mentorship work and what are eff ective mechanisms to engage youths on radicalisation issues?
What should the role be for civil society in dealing with radicalisation?
3. Best Practices in Crisis Management Dealing with Terrorism
Terrorism events severely test social cohesion within societies, whether it is small events that unleash vast social forces
(murder of Theo van Gogh in 2004), a synchronised major event (London bombings 2005) or a metaphorical war (Muhammad
Cartoon controversy in Denmark). Research needs to focus across contexts and incidents to compare the best practices and
eff ectiveness of diff erent approaches how to respond to and communicate most eff ectively with the public. The end game
of these strategies is to assert government control and to manage down the eff ects of the violence and any associated
polarisation between communities. More research needs to be conducted on best practice models how to best respond
to crisis events from a communication and crisis management perspective. What are the lessons learned from diff erent
types of events? What type of messages needs to be crafted; how is this credibly delivered and how is this best delivered
in a fragmented media environment?
ESRIF FINAL REPORT - PART 2 • Working Group: Human and Societal Dynamics of Security