| SVMarsden |
reintegrating extremists
For a number of years, I've carried out research looking at how to engage with those who've been involved with terrorism. Although focusing primarily on those convicted for terrorism offences in the UK, I am also interested in understanding how people involved in radical networks and those returning from overseas conflicts might be supported to reintegrate successfully into society.
In pursuing these questions, I've carried out research with statutory organisations tasked with this work, looking at their efforts with former prisoners. Alongside this, I've spent time trying to understand the work of community-based organisations involved in what is sometimes called 'deradicalisation'.
A book based on this research was published in 2017. Reintegrating Extremists: 'Deradicalisation' and Desistance draws on criminological and psychological theory to develop an account of the processes implicated in moving people away from violent extremism. In expanding the work I've already published on how to interpret 'success' in this context, the book makes three core arguments. First, the need for greater focus on the reintegration of former prisoners, rather than attempts at 'deradicalisation' or 'deprogramming'. Second, the importance of trying to redirect, as opposed to deconstruct, the original motivation to become involved in extremism, and in doing so, recognise the subjectively perceived goods they sought to pursue. And finally, the importance of developing resilience to influences that might undermine an individual's developing commitment to reintegrating into wider society.
I've been pleased to present the ideas from my book through a number of invited talks at the Universities of St Andrews, Leeds, Birkbeck and Birmingham.
The media have covered my work on this quite extensively. Amongst other places, my research has been featured by the BBC, The Times, The Scotsman and the Sunday Herald. You can read a post I put together for RadicalisationResearch.org on the question of 'deradicalisation' and what we know about 'terrorist recidivism' here, and an overview of some of the main arguments I make about disengagement processes in the CREST Security Review. The following is a short interview reflecting on some of the implications of my research for the question of returnees from foreign conflicts.
In pursuing these questions, I've carried out research with statutory organisations tasked with this work, looking at their efforts with former prisoners. Alongside this, I've spent time trying to understand the work of community-based organisations involved in what is sometimes called 'deradicalisation'.
A book based on this research was published in 2017. Reintegrating Extremists: 'Deradicalisation' and Desistance draws on criminological and psychological theory to develop an account of the processes implicated in moving people away from violent extremism. In expanding the work I've already published on how to interpret 'success' in this context, the book makes three core arguments. First, the need for greater focus on the reintegration of former prisoners, rather than attempts at 'deradicalisation' or 'deprogramming'. Second, the importance of trying to redirect, as opposed to deconstruct, the original motivation to become involved in extremism, and in doing so, recognise the subjectively perceived goods they sought to pursue. And finally, the importance of developing resilience to influences that might undermine an individual's developing commitment to reintegrating into wider society.
I've been pleased to present the ideas from my book through a number of invited talks at the Universities of St Andrews, Leeds, Birkbeck and Birmingham.
The media have covered my work on this quite extensively. Amongst other places, my research has been featured by the BBC, The Times, The Scotsman and the Sunday Herald. You can read a post I put together for RadicalisationResearch.org on the question of 'deradicalisation' and what we know about 'terrorist recidivism' here, and an overview of some of the main arguments I make about disengagement processes in the CREST Security Review. The following is a short interview reflecting on some of the implications of my research for the question of returnees from foreign conflicts.
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