PAVE Methodology Workshop: Laying the research foundations

Given the current conditions of restricted travel and physical interactions, the PAVE consortium conducted its Methodology Workshop in full virtual mode on 1-2 September 2020. This was the second full-consortium meeting since the start of the project in February 2020. On Day 1, we discussed the conceptual foundations for our comparative research on vulnerability and resilience factors contributing to the fueling, prevention or mitigation of violent extremism. Project partners presented their (soon-to-be-published) baseline studies written for the three thematic clusters on cumulative extremisms, the interface between state and religious institutions as well as online and offline narratives of (de-)radicalisation. The discussions covered both terminological issues – which will form the basis of a forthcoming PAVE Glossary – and a review of the state of the art literature on relevant factors, drivers, actors and initiatives. On Day 2 we delved into the practical implementation of fieldwork plans, including the integration of a gender lens as a cross-cutting topic for PAVE, the clarification of ethics standards and processes, methods of field sites selection, methodological training needs, and fieldwork adaptation options due to the Covid-19 situation. For more information on upcoming research outputs and to follow the PAVE project, please subscribe to the Newsletter.