BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam//NONSGML v1.0//EN NAME:PhD defence C.S. van Nassau METHOD:PUBLISH BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART:20260702T134500 DTEND:20260702T151500 DTSTAMP:20260702T134500 UID:2026/phd-defence-c-s-van-nassa@8F96275E-9F55-4B3F-A143-836282E12573 CREATED:20260622T045722 LOCATION:Hoofdgebouw, Aula De Boelelaan 1105 1081 HV Amsterdam SUMMARY:PhD defence C.S. van Nassau X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:

The relational dimensio n of radicalization

Social media offers opportunities for identifying terrorism risks

According to Van Nass au, detailed knowledge of the relationships and positions within the network of individuals who are radicalizing provides important starti ng points for both prevention and enforcement. At an early stage, whe n there are signs of radicalization but activities are still taking p lace relatively openly, this knowledge can help take appropriate meas ures in a timely manner and prevent escalation.

Better understanding of the social environment
Even in situation s where individuals are suspected of criminal offenses, insight into the contacts they maintain within the network plays an important role . Van Nassau points out that a better understanding of the social env ironment in which radicalization occurs can contribute to more effect ive interventions by the police and other relevant agencies.

At the same time, his research findings emphasize that intervention is not without risks. Measures aimed at countering radicalization or ter rorism can have unintended side effects. For example, a network may b ecome more cohesive, and the remaining members may become further rad icalized.

The findings underscore the importance of taking into account the social environment in which radical networks operate whe n assessing terrorism risks. Knowledge of the interrelationships can contribute to more effective prevention and law enforcement.

Mo re information about the dissertation

DESCRIPTION:

Social media offers opportunities for identif ying terrorism risks

Although people with radical ideas and sentiments are regularly a subject of public concern, only a sma ll fraction ultimately becomes involved in crimes with a terrorist mo tive. Casper van Nassau’s research shows that insight into the soci al environment in which radical networks emerge can be of great value in better assessing risks. According to Van Nassau, detailed knowled ge of the relationships and positions within the network of individua ls who are radicalizing provides important starting points for both p revention and enforcement. At an early stage, when there are signs of radicalization but activities are still taking place relatively open ly, this knowledge can help take appropriate measures in a timely man ner and prevent escalation. Better understanding of the socia l environment
Even in situations where individuals are su spected of criminal offenses, insight into the contacts they maintain within the network plays an important role. Van Nassau points out th at a better understanding of the social environment in which radicali zation occurs can contribute to more effective interventions by the p olice and other relevant agencies. At the same time, his research fin dings emphasize that intervention is not without risks. Measures aime d at countering radicalization or terrorism can have unintended side effects. For example, a network may become more cohesive, and the rem aining members may become further radicalized. The findings underscor e the importance of taking into account the social environment in whi ch radical networks operate when assessing terrorism risks. Knowledge of the interrelationships can contribute to more effective preventio n and law enforcement. More information about the dissertation The relational dimension of radicalization END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR