Research Programming

Objectives

The overall aim of the RAPS team is twofold. On the one hand, it aims to understand the nature of the links between social climate, attitudes legitimizing violence and acts of violence and to document the evolution of these dynamics in a context of rapid social transformation. Secondly, the team aspires to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of primary prevention and intervention programs for radicalized individuals and their entourage to mitigate the effects of the current context and its impact in terms of social tensions and violence (hate crimes and incidents, mass killings).

Specific objectives structure the research program (objectives 1 to 5) and the cross-sectoral integration of knowledge and practices (objectives 6 to 9). These objectives consist of:

  1. Document the determinants of the polarization of attitudes leading to the legitimization of violence against the Other, and study the evolution of these attitudes in relation to transformations in the local, national and international context

  2. Documenting the trajectories of people attracted to and/or involved in extremist movements;

  3. To develop and evaluate primary prevention programs aimed at reducing inter-group and inter-community tensions and improving social cohesion by valuing multiple affiliations

  4. Evaluate the implementation and efficiency of the provincial network of clinical services set up at the initiative of the MSSS to intervene specifically in situations associated with violent radicalization (VR) (hate crimes and national security issues)

  5. Complete and evaluate the various components of the offered training on the processes of violent radicalization and adequately equip practitioners in the health and education networks and members of the security forces at provincial and national levels

  6. Facilitate theoretical and methodological exchanges and the sharing of practices between disciplines and social sectors in order to promote the integration of perspectives through cross-sectoral actions

  7. Generate a dialogue rooted in ethical reflection between actors in the field of security and those associated with the social and community field, while respecting their respective mandates

  8. Pool knowledge mobilization efforts (shared tools, joint training programs)

  9. Raise the profile of Quebec's contribution nationally and internationally

Research Axes

The RAPS team's research program is structured around the partners' priorities. It can be broken down into three axes:

Axis I: Research (population determinants of violent radicalization) – led by Morin and Mekki-Berrada

This area includes longitudinal investigations into the micro-, meso- and macro-social determinants of support for violent radicalization, research into the evolution of hate crimes and incidents in Quebec and the associated discourses (particularly far-right, masculinist and conspiracy-oriented), as well as the place of religion.  

This axis addresses objectives 1, 2, 8 and 9.

An ongoing review of the literature and a report on hate crimes and incidents in Quebec support this work, which is brought together in:

  1. A first group of projects is continuing the study of the determinants (risk and protective factors) of attitudes conducive to violent radicalization in Quebec, by proposing monitoring of these attitudes every two years in university and college environments, longitudinal follow-up in the general population in Canada (young people), and an extension to Italy and Sweden of current transnational comparisons (Belgium, USA)

  2. A second group of projects focuses on the social dynamics mobilized around the question of the religious and the spiritual, not only through their extremist drifts, but also in their discursive, postcolonial and subjectivizing dimensions. Islamophobia is conceptualized here as one of the forms of radicalization of the majority, which can lead to violence

  3. A third group of projects, documenting the group dynamics associated with extreme right-wing and masculinist movements (notably around infodemia, disinformation, conspiracy theories and Incels)

  4. A fourth group of projects explores the world of the media and social media and their dual role of revealing the discourses that structure attitudes and accelerating the spread of these discourses

Axis II: Primary prevention and training (program development and evaluation) - led by El Hage and Audet departments

Based on Quebec data on determinants and a systematic review of the literature on primary prevention, this area aims to develop and evaluate innovative preventive practices. 

This priority addresses objectives 3, 6, 8 and 9. Projects are grouped as follows:

  1. Projects aimed at evaluating programs for the primary prevention of violent radicalization to gather and develop knowledge on tools, strategies and models for evaluating practices (evaluation of the play "Qui a tué Freebird?" by the Théâtre social Parminou, evaluated by PhiloJeunes);

  2. Projects aimed at training school teachers (intervening in a context of ethnocultural diversity, practicing stories about intercultural and inclusive competence, dealing with sensitive themes in secondary school to support history and ethics and religious culture teachers, webdocumentary to combat racism, discrimination and radicalization);

  3. Partnership with the MEQ on responses to the climate of social polarization, as part of its anti-bullying plan (2021-2026).

Axis III: Intervention (program development and evaluation) - led by Hassan and Benoit

Research in this area involves studying the trajectories of at-risk subjects, mapping existing resources in Canada, systematically reviewing the various risk assessment tools and methods in the field (Impact, 2017), and evaluating the network of services set up in Quebec by the MSSS as part of the 2015-2018 government action plan. 

Mobilizing Knowledge

Within the RAPS team, which brings together partners, researchers, practitioners and students, knowledge is shared on an ongoing basis via the internal newsletter, web pages and social networks, and at monthly meetings. Research collaborations between researchers and community partners are also encouraged and supported through annual grants for innovative pilot projects.

Several forms of knowledge mobilization exist at different levels:

  • The mobilization of knowledge in partner networks is a priority and is achieved through general or specialized training on prevention and intervention in situations of violent radicalization (school network, health and social services, law enforcement, community environment). Content is regularly updated for Quebec and Canada in partnership with the CPN-PREV. Various tools, guides and other resources are also developed and disseminated in practice settings to meet needs. 

  • For the clinical network, knowledge mobilization takes the form of a community of practice for clinicians in five cities, with monthly webinars based on case discussions, a model that encourages theoretical learning rooted in practice. 

  • The organization of theme days and symposia, and the participation of researchers or partners in local, national or international events, mobilize a wider audience of practitioners, decision-makers and researchers, and promote a plurality of positions and perspectives.

  • All social players and the general public are reached through social networks and traditional media, via a regular media presence and primary prevention initiatives (theatre, Someone project). 

  • National and international decision-makers are kept informed through research advice and the production of guidelines, and through direct consultations with government departments (federal revenants issue, approaches to conspiracy theorists).