The ambition of the project is both to identify critical knowledge gaps and to explore creative methods and approaches that can be used to better understand the growing trend of individuals engaging with and expressing composite forms of extremism - e.g. misogynistic/Incel, conspiracy theory, homophobic, far right. The initiative is led from within the International Criminological Research Unit (ICRU) at the University of Liverpool.
Project overview
Across Europe, North America, and Oceania, recent data highlights a troubling trend: an increasing number of individuals being referred to counter-extremism and de-radicalisation programs are exhibiting mixed extremist viewpoints, rather than the singular doctrinal perspectives typically associated with Far Right or Islamist extremism. This pattern is also reflected in numbers of individuals being charged with hate crimes and terrorism related offenses.
Despite evidence that a growing number of young people are engaging with concerning ideational perspectives - such as Incel, misogynistic, homophobic and conspiracy theories - significant knowledge gaps persist regarding the contexts, processes, and experiences that may encourage or influence involvement and immersion. Collecting primary evidence from individuals exploring, adopting, and promoting mixed ideological perspectives is exceptionally challenging due to ethical issues and the inherent difficulties in reaching out to seek engagement.
CUPMFE aims to increase opportunities for conversation and knowledge exchange by bringing together academics, practitioners, and civil society actors. Our goal is to create a dialogical network that will facilitate a deeper understanding of mixed, unclear, and unstable forms of extremism. The project will identify critical knowledge gaps and explore innovative methods and approaches to better comprehend this growing trend and the factors that are prevalent when journeys toward extremism begin.
The CUPMFE initiative will unfold in a series of interconnected phases, starting with a research and practice colloquium and culminating in a key findings workshop. These events will unite presently disparate stakeholder communities and foster the development of a new international network of interested parties. This network will stimulate fresh collaborations, accelerate crucial academic studies and create engagement forums capable of informing and shaping policy in this area of societal concern.
Details of our plans and activities will follow here as we progress.
To learn more about CUPMFE - or if you wish to be involved - please contact: CUPMFE@liverpool.ac.uk
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