The Flemish Peace Institute has released a new book, De-radicalisation: Scientific Insights for Policy, looking at research on radicalization and exploring the policies and practices that can address trends in extremism. The book’s introduction reads in part:
Practitioners and researchers stress that the key to prevention of violent extremism is to be found at local level. Policy, local and above, is ideally informed by scientific research. The basis of this book is therefore both an encounter between the international and the local, and between research and practice. The research field of ‘radicalisation’ is relatively young, but booming. In addition, we can go back to the older research field of terrorism studies, and existing insights from disciplines such as criminology prove to be applicable as well to the present wave of violent extremism.
The aim of this book is to apply research to local policy and practice. We asked seven international experts to summarise the existing empirical research on seven aspects of radicalisation…A policy approach to violent extremism can use insights from a range of academic disciplines. The authors of this volume indeed come from diverse backgrounds, such as psychology, pedagogy, criminology, political science and sociology. They have experience in deradicalisation policy in various European countries.
The full book is available online at no cost on the Flemish Peace Institute website.