Radicalization to Violent Extremism: What We Don't Know

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract

While much research has been conducted in the area of domestic radicalization to violent extremism, our understanding of how radicalization to violent extremism occurs in the United States remains unsettled. In order to best guide the future direction of research in this area, we must first reformulate the most relevant research questions and reevaluate our research priorities. Perhaps there is little that needs to be changed. However, in order to embark on new research journeys to answer what we don’t know, we must first solidify what we do know.
This panel will draw on research projects from the National Institute of Justice to best answer this question. The panel will summarize findings of NIJ-sponsored research on radicalization processes, facilitators of radicalization to violent extremism, profiles of individuals radicalized in the United States, and terrorist events in the United States since (at least) 1970.

Sub Unit

• Area V. Types of Offending / 25. Terrorism

Division of Special Interest

• Divisions of Special Interest / Division on Terrorism & Bias Crime

Individual Presentations

• What We Know and What We Don’t Know about Violent Extremism in the United States - Gary LaFree, University of Maryland

• What Research Sponsored by the National Institute of Justice Tells Us about How Radicalization to Violent Extremism Occurs in the United States - Allison G Smith, Independent Consultant

• CVE Program Evaluation Efforts in the United States - Richard Legault, U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Discussant

• Phelan Wyrick, National Institute of Justice