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Coping with the Varieties of Radicalization into Terrorism and Extremism (VORTEX)

The development of new, innovative, and evidence-based strategies to counter and prevent ideological and behavioural radicalisation lies at the core of VORTEX. Current understandings of radicalisation are shaped by a tension between securitisation approaches and socio-cultural contextual explanations—an interplay that influences political actors, practitioners, and scholars alike. While one perspective prioritises the immediate security needs of European societies, another emphasises long-term structural conditions such as socio-economic marginalisation, which serve as fertile ground for extremism, radicalisation, and extremist worldviews. VORTEX establishes an integrated and impactful research programme for doctoral candidates, fostering interdisciplinary dialogue and equipping participants with high-quality supervision, training, and collaboration opportunities to support successful and relevant academic or professional careers. The programme examines and compares diverse forms of radicalisation across multiple empirical contexts. 

This is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network which consists of Malmö University (coordination), Peace Research Institute Frankfurt, Marburg University, University of Helsinki, Universite Libre de Bruxelles, University of Torino, Babeș-Bolyai University, University of Oslo.

Funding period: 2023-2026
Funding institution: European Union (Horizon Europe MSCA)
Marburg Team: Prof. Dr. Thorsten Bonacker, Violette Mens