The recent riots in the UK have revealed a disturbing undercurrent in British society that demands our attention. What I find most concerning about these events is not just the violence itself but the broader implications and the failure of many to address the root causes. Media and political experts are noticeably silent on identifying…… Continue reading The Recent UK Riots: A Disturbing Analysis
Tag: Radicalisation
Southport Aflame: Misinformation Fuels Riots
The tragic events that unfolded in Southport over the past 24 hours have laid bare deep societal tensions and exposed the dangerous consequences of misinformation, xenophobia, and mob mentality. What began as a horrific knife attack that claimed the lives of three young children quickly spiralled into violent unrest fueled by unfounded rumours and far-right…… Continue reading Southport Aflame: Misinformation Fuels Riots
Dissent at Risk: UK’s New Extremism Definition
The UK government’s new definition of extremism, unveiled with the noble intention of combating intolerance and hate, has raised serious concerns among civil liberties advocates, activists, and members of targeted communities who fear it could have severe unintended consequences for free speech and democratic dissent. The definition’s vague and broad nature risks encompassing a wide…… Continue reading Dissent at Risk: UK’s New Extremism Definition
Call for Chapters
Dear Colleague I’m reaching out to let you know about an exciting opportunity to contribute to The Routledge International Handbook on Social Exclusion and Radicalisation, edited by myself, Dr. Lianne Vostermans, and Dr. Richard McNeil-Willson. This groundbreaking handbook will examine the relationship between social exclusion and radicalisation on a global scale, using multidisciplinary perspectives. It…… Continue reading Call for Chapters
Countering Exclusion, Countering Radicalisation
There has been a pronounced rise of anti-Muslim sentiment across Europe in recent years, with roots dating back to the 1990s that were sharply accelerated after the events of 9/11. This pervasive Islamophobia stems from lingering post-colonial Orientalist attitudes that fundamentally view Muslims as problematic outsiders threatening European identity. Anti-Muslim perspectives are deeply ingrained in…… Continue reading Countering Exclusion, Countering Radicalisation
Defining Radicalisation Studies
Radicalisation studies has emerged as an interdisciplinary field that aims to develop a nuanced, holistic understanding of the multidimensional process of radicalisation in contemporary societies. This field integrates theoretical and methodological insights from various disciplines, including sociology, psychology, political science, international relations, cultural anthropology, religious studies, and security studies (Neumann, 2013; Sedgwick, 2010; Heath-Kelly et…… Continue reading Defining Radicalisation Studies
Edward Said’s Orientalism and Its Insights on Radicalisation Discourses
On 25 September 2023, it will be the twentieth anniversary of the passing of the great scholar Edward Said, a Palestinian-Christian-American literary theorist who dedicated his scholarly endeavours to examining the phenomenon of marginalisation and the portrayal of the “other” in various contexts. In his seminal work published in 1978, entitled Orientalism, the author critically…… Continue reading Edward Said’s Orientalism and Its Insights on Radicalisation Discourses
The Radicalisation Process
Paper presented to the panel, Terrorism Threat Assessment Radicalisation/Deradicalisation Pathways, at the Regional Conference on Enhancing Resilience Against Violent Extremism Among Migrant Workers in Southeast Asia, convened by the United Nations Office of Counterterrorism, National Counter Terrorism Agency (Indonesia), and Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Jakarta, Indonesia, 4–5 October. Many thanks indeed…… Continue reading The Radicalisation Process