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Research Themes
The research of this Center will focus on five
main themes:
Radicalization
& De-Radicalization
Our first major research theme focuses on the factors that lead
individuals to become and remain involved in, and ultimately disengage
from, groups and movements that use violent means to further political
and cultural goals. Despite some progress, the factors that attract
and sustain individual involvement in terrorism remain poorly understood.
Progress on understanding these issues holds considerable promise
for developing methods of reducing and controlling radicalization
as well as promoting and facilitating disengagement and de-radicalization
from terrorist movements.
Terrorist
Groups & Organizations
Our second major theme is to explore the ways in which existing
social science research on groups, teams and organizations can contribute
to understanding how terrorist groups function, develop and end
as a means of disrupting and countering the activities of these
groups at a number of levels.
Reactions
to Terrorism
Our third major theme examines the reactions of individuals, groups,
organizations and governments to terrorism, the threat of terrorism,
and efforts to reduce terrorism. Understanding how and why different
parts of the population react to terrorism and counterterrorism
efforts is of critical importance both in the formulation and execution
of effective counter-terrorism policy and operations.
Perception
& Communication of Risk
Our fourth major theme examines the way individuals, groups, organizations,
and governments perceive threats and risks associated with terrorism,
and the way these risks are communicated. This research can contribute
to the development of effective strategies for communicating about
terrorism and for countering the terrorists’ message in a
variety of settings.
Building
Resilience & Limiting Harm
Our fifth major theme examines the process of building resilience
among the potential targets of terrorism and limiting the potential
harm associated with a terrorist attack. Approaches to building
resilience can focus on individuals, families, groups, communities
or nations; at all levels of analysis, the social and behavioral
sciences show promise for developing effective interventions.
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