Research on Domestic Radicalization to Violent Extremism: Insights from Family and Friends of Current and Former Extremists

The applicant proposes to partner with Parents for Peace (an organization for family members of individuals who have/had turned to violent extremism) and work with other similar organizations to interview family members and/or close friends of people who have carried out violent terrorist attacks. Semi-structured interviews will be carried out with three respondents for each of the 30 cases they plan to assess (90 interviews total). The applicant proposes to conduct an assessment of the social structure surrounding these individuals to better understand what could have been done to help prevent their path to terrorism. The applicant will analyze the personal characteristics that may be common among those who radicalize, seek to understand the pathways to terrorism, and identify the impact of terrorism on family members. The applicant hopes to use the narratives provided by loved ones and incorporate them into prevention and intervention programs. This project contains a research and/or development component, as defined in applicable law. CA/NCF