Radicalisation research and prevention in Germany

At present, an increase in politically and religiously motivated radicalisation is being observed in Germany. This development is reflected, among other things, in politically motivated crime, violence and in forms of expressive hate crime. Social phenomena such as radicalisation, extremism and even terrorism are a permanent challenge for both the security authorities and society more broadly. In this context, violent extremism must be understood as consequence of inadequately regulated social conflicts, which requires the simultaneous consideration of three variables: the person acting, the ideology motivating action and the respective environment. These variables are highly interdependent.

Particular attention is therefore paid to the aspect of detecting and addressing extremism before it can turn into violence. To this end, knowledge of the extent, development, forms and causes of politically and/or religiously motivated extremism have to be recorded and analysed systemically. Analogous to increasingly complex processes of radicalisation, a dynamic increase in corresponding research and practice activities can be observed nationally and internationally. The development of structures for a more comprehensive, coordinated transfer of insights within and between the fields of science, politics and practice is lagging behind this rapid expansion of knowledge.

This is where MOTRA comes in – it aims to contribute to a comprehensive and evidence-based design of policy and practice by pursuing two central objectives:

• Empirical-analytical objective: Monitoring of diverse strands of radicalization in Germany
  
  The holistic and systematic monitoring is implemented by means of multi-method, longitudinal phenomenon/trend analyses and in-depth case analyses. Systematic phenomenon monitoring enables a faster identification and classification of new phenomenon trends and lays ground for prognostic statements on significant phenomenon developments.
• Structural objective: Improved transfer between science – practice – policy
  
  The transfer platform offers a forum for exchange, based on a continuously updated inventory of current research findings. Already existing and related research initiatives in Germany will be invited to promote synergy effects. With the help of this central platform, knowledge gained through monitoring will be communicated to the academic community, civil society, authorities and policy makers to significantly shorten the time lag between the generation of research findings and their application context.

The typically interdisciplinary character of this research is crucial for MOTRA and is reflected in the numerous partners from science, politics and practice. Their participation in the network is essential for the rapid and successful transfer of knowledge among the three areas.

The Berghof Foundation will add insights and methods from peace and conflict studies to the interdisciplinary approach of the consortium. Building on its experience as convener of spaces for dialogue and conflict transformation, it will enrich the consortium research by bringing together yearly expert panels on national, regional and local level. These expert panels have four goals: to (1) engage a broad section of stakeholders in refining (qualitative) research results and methods; (2) engage a broad range of stakeholders in assessing hidden or new radicalisation processes; (3) enable conflict sensitive data collection and knowledge transfer; and (4) connect the empirical-analytic and structural objectives by organising focus groups and stakeholder dialogue.

The project consortium consists of the following core partner organisations:

• Bundeskriminalamt (BKA), Wiesbaden (lead)
• Karlsruher Institut für Technologie (KIT)
• Kriminologische Zentralstelle e. V., Wiesbaden
• German Institute for Global and Area Studies, Hamburg
• Berghof Foundation Operations gGmbH, Berlin
• Wissenschaftszentrum Berlin für Sozialforschung (WZB) gGmbH, Berlin
• Universität Hamburg
• Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München

This project is funded by the German Ministry for Education and Research in the context of its civil security research programme and the German Ministry of the Interior.