Academic publications
Abbas, Tahir. 2023. ‘Radicalisation studies: An emerging interdisciplinary field’, British Journal of Sociology, published online 13 December.
Mughal, Rabya, Valerie DeMarinis, Maria Nordendahl, Hassan Lone, Veronica Phillips, and Eolene Boyd-MacMillan. 2023. ‘Public Mental Health Approaches to Online Radicalisation: An Empty Systematic Review’. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 20(16); 6586.
Cuppens, Tessa. 2022-2023. ‘Conference Note: Offline Exclusion, Online Inclusion?’ Journal for Deradicalization 33: 318-328.
Bieber, Hannah. 2021. ‘Conference Note: The Challenges of Researching Extremism Today’. Journal for Deradicalization 28: 83-195.
Drive project publications
Tahir Abbas, Tobias Müller, Lianne Vostermans, Mark Sedgwick, Cathrine Thorleifsson, Gabe Mythen, Leona Vaughn, Jacob Astley, and Sandra Walklate—and Valerie DeMarinis, Eolene Boyd-MacMillan, and Maria Nordendahl are authors of the Public Mental Health Overview Report accompanying the main report (2022) D3.1. Preparatory Research-Radicalisation in North-West Europe: The State of the Art. The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 21 Jul 2021, Approval Date: 18 May 2022).
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of radicalisation research in northwest Europe, focusing on Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, and the UK. It explores the enabling factors of radicalisation, including spatial dynamics, identity politics, intergenerational change, and reciprocal radicalisation. The document evaluates existing research, identifies knowledge gaps, and outlines key research and policy questions. It emphasises the importance of multi-level analysis and the integration of public mental health frameworks to understand and address radicalisation effectively.
The "Methodology Report on Online Mapping" (Deliverable 3.2) for the DRIVE project focuses on understanding the entanglements of online and offline spaces in radicalisation processes. The report outlines a methodology that integrates digital ethnography and public mental health approaches to analyse social media platforms and websites used by far-right and Islamist activists. Key platforms identified include Facebook, 4chan, 8chan/8kun, and Telegram. The report emphasises ethical considerations, such as informed consent and anonymisation, and discusses the challenges of conducting online fieldwork. The research aims to provide insights into the dynamics of online radicalisation and its impact on offline behaviour, contributing to enhanced strategies for countering violent extremism in northwestern Europe.
Gabe Mythen, Leona Vaughn, Jacob Astley, Sandra Walklate, Tahir Abbas, and Tobias Müller (lead authors); Mark Sedgwick, Lianne Vostermans, and Cathrine Thorleifsson (contributing authors) (2022) D3.3. Study Area Report. The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 16 Jul 2021, Approval Date: 18 May 2022)
This report summarises the DRIVE Project's international conference held in Brussels on June 11-12, 2024. The conference aimed to disseminate the project's findings on the relationship between social exclusion and radicalisation in the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and the United Kingdom. It brought together scholars, policymakers, practitioners, and community members to discuss research findings, bridge disciplinary gaps, and develop evidence-based policies. Key topics included the mental health impacts of social exclusion, insights into far-right and Muslim communities, and translating research into policy. The conference sought to promote inclusive policies, empower communities, and strengthen partnerships to address the root causes of exclusion and polarisation, contributing to more resilient and cohesive societies.
Joana de Deus Pereira, Inés Bolaños Somoano, Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, and Tahir Abbas (2024) D8.1. Workshop-Operationalising Research Findings and Developing the Diagnostic Matrix. The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 18 Nov 2024, Approval Date: 19 Nov 2024)
This report details the outcomes of Workshop 8.1 (28 June 2024), a pivotal event in the EU-funded DRIVE project, which focused on translating research findings into practical tools to counter radicalisation and promote social cohesion. It evaluates training sessions conducted in the UK, Norway, Denmark, and the Netherlands, highlighting strengths such as participant engagement with case studies and comparative analyses of Muslim and nationalist groups, while noting challenges like time constraints and diverse practitioner needs. Central to the workshop was the development of a diagnostic matrix—a structured tool to assess social exclusion, alienation, and radicalisation through domains like contextual indicators and intervention pathways. The report emphasises ethical considerations and strategies for disseminating findings across academic, policy, and public spheres. Next steps include refining the matrix, expanding training resources, and establishing an online platform for stakeholder engagement.
Tahir Abbas, Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, and Inés Bolaños Somoano (2024), D8.3. Practitioner toolkits, The Hague: Leiden University, (Receipt Date: 18 Nov 2024, Approval Date: 19 Nov 2024)
This report presents the DRIVE project's comprehensive toolkit designed to assist practitioners in addressing radicalisation through social inclusion. Launched in January 2021 and concluding in June 2024, the DRIVE project examines the interplay between social exclusion, identity, and vulnerability to radicalisation among Muslim and white nationalist communities across Northwestern Europe. The toolkit provides structured guidance for frontline professionals, offering practical strategies for identifying signs of radicalisation and designing interventions that promote social cohesion. It outlines core domains critical to understanding radicalisation—individual factors, social relationships, community dynamics, and societal influences—and emphasises multi-agency collaboration and community-based approaches. Additionally, it includes risk and protective factors, practical intervention strategies, and contextual considerations, supported by examples from fieldwork in Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, and the UK. The document also addresses ethical considerations and resource constraints faced by practitioners, aiming to enhance their capacity to foster resilient, inclusive communities.
Tahir Abbas, Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, and Inés Bolaños Somoano (2024) D8.4. Training materials, The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 21 Jul 2024, Approval Date: 19 Nov 2024)
The report titled "D8.4 Training Materials" outlines the framework and modules of a training program developed under the DRIVE project, funded by the European Commission. The project aims to understand and prevent radicalisation among Muslim and ethnic majority communities in northwestern Europe. It provides practical guidelines and tools for practitioners working in areas of social exclusion and radicalisation. Modules address essential topics such as the identification of radicalisation, social exclusion, public mental health, and engagement strategies. The training is designed to foster community resilience and promote social cohesion, with a focus on inclusivity. By emphasising the importance of multi-agency collaboration, the report highlights the need for tailored interventions that empower communities to counteract radicalisation effectively.
Joana de Deus Pereira, Inés Bolaños Somoano, Cátia Moreira de Carvalho, and Tahir Abbas (2024) D8.5. Training Workshops, The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 18 Nov 2024, Approval Date: 19 Nov 2024)
This report details the training workshops conducted as part of the DRIVE project, aimed at disseminating research findings on radicalisation prevention to practitioners across various sectors in northwestern Europe. Between June 2 and June 27, 2024, training sessions were held in Birmingham (UK), Oslo (Norway), Copenhagen (Denmark), and The Hague (Netherlands). These workshops targeted professionals from law enforcement, social services, government, education, and healthcare, providing them with insights into radicalisation processes and strategies for prevention. The curriculum included key concepts and definitions, public mental health frameworks, comparative analyses of radicalisation trends across countries, and case studies illustrating theoretical concepts. Participants valued the interactive format and the integration of mental health discussions within radicalisation prevention, highlighting the importance of addressing underlying social and psychological factors. Feedback indicated a desire for more discussion time and clearer explanations of terms, guiding future improvements. The sessions successfully bridged academic research with practical application, fostering critical thinking and transnational cooperation among attendees.
Hannah Bieber and Astrid de Vries (2021) D9.1. Project website, The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 29 Jun 2021, Approval Date: 18 May 2022)
This report outlines the development and role of the DRIVE project's website as a key component of its dissemination and communication strategy. Launched in January 2021 and concluding in December 2023, the DRIVE project focuses on reducing radicalisation, extremism, and political violence in Northwestern Europe through social inclusion. The website serves as a central platform for sharing research outcomes, advertising events, and providing accessible content to diverse audiences, including researchers, practitioners, civil society actors, and the general public. Key sections of the site include the homepage, blog, events, team profiles, project overview, and publications. The blog section is particularly aimed at engaging a broader audience with accessible academic insights on topics such as security, identity politics, and extremism. Challenges addressed include attracting and retaining an audience through engaging content and regular updates, while ethical considerations focus on avoiding stigmatisation and ensuring the protection of researchers. The website reflects the project’s commitment to maintaining an inclusive, informative online presence that supports its goals of fostering social cohesion and preventing radicalisation.
Hannah Bieber and Astrid de Vries (2021) D9.2. Social media tools, The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 29 Jun 2021, Approval Date: 18 May 2022)
This report outlines the social media strategy for the DRIVE project, focusing on the use of Twitter and LinkedIn to enhance dissemination and communication efforts. Launched in January 2021 and concluding in December 2023, the DRIVE project aims to reduce radicalisation, extremism, and political violence in Northwestern Europe through social inclusion. The social media strategy is a key component of the project's broader outreach plan, designed to reach a wider audience beyond the project website and attract participants to events. Twitter serves as a microblogging platform targeting a broad audience, including professionals, civil society, and the general public interested in social inclusion and radicalisation. It emphasises short, impactful posts with consistent visual branding, hashtags, and interactive content to engage users. LinkedIn, being business-orientated, targets professionals and organisations, focusing on expanding networks and sharing professional content like blogs and publications. Both platforms aim to grow their audience, advertise events, direct traffic to the DRIVE website, and foster engagement. Challenges include achieving substantial growth, maintaining consistent posting schedules, and addressing ethical concerns related to sensitive topics. Strategies to overcome these involve leveraging partner networks, optimising hashtags, sharing relevant content, and adhering to ethical guidelines to prevent stigmatisation. The report underscores the importance of monitoring analytics to refine strategies and ensure effective communication.
Astrid de Vries (2021) D9.3. Online dissemination, The Hague: Leiden University (Receipt Date: 01 Jul 2021, Approval Date: 18 May 2022)
This report outlines the blog post strategy for the DRIVE project as part of its broader dissemination and communication efforts. Launched in January 2021 and concluding in December 2023, the DRIVE project focuses on reducing radicalisation, extremism, and political violence in Northwestern Europe through social inclusion. The blog serves as a key platform for sharing accessible academic insights with a wider audience, including practitioners, policymakers, and the general public. The blog posts are designed to address topics related to security, identity politics, and extremism while maintaining an approachable tone suitable for non-academic readers. Key strategies include publishing one blog post per month, ensuring articles are between 500-700 words, and promoting them across the project’s social media channels, particularly Twitter and LinkedIn, to maximise reach. Challenges identified include maintaining consistent posting schedules, avoiding stigmatisation of vulnerable groups, and balancing academic rigour with accessibility. Ethical considerations focus on preventing harm through careful language use and consulting partners to align on best practices. By fostering engagement and expanding its audience, the blog aims to support the project’s goals of promoting social cohesion and preventing radicalisation.