Researching and addressing “radicalization” within smaller European countries is particularly challenging. Not only is it incumbent that research and approaches take into account analyses, findings, strategies, and measures from other contexts, they must also work to craft their own national understanding of the extent and nature of the phenomena and approaches to address it. This chapter discusses the author’s reflections on experiences conducting two studies on violent jihadist radicalization in Switzerland at a time of heightened concern over potential jihadist violent extremist threats. In doing so, the chapter focuses on the ethical and methodological challenges specific to the Swiss context, as well as issues impacting research on violent extremism more generally. The two studies— both of which the author served a role in—additionally navigated the tension inherent in researching a topic of heightened public interest and media coverage.

 

Suggested citation: 

Eser Davolio, Miryam. Research on Islamist Extremism in the Swiss Context: Assessing and Analyzing a Sensitive Phenomenon. Washington, D.C.: RESOLVE Network, 2022. https://doi.org/10.37805/rve2022.1.