EXPERT: Nils Mallock
Nils Mallock PhD candidate at the London School of Economics, specialising in understanding individual motivations and the consequences of political behaviour in high-risk contexts.
Nils Mallock flags the denial of human rights and a group’s sense of supremacy as representing radicalisation. He talks about ideology, identity and a sense of injustice as strong motivators for political action. However it is unclear how beliefs translate into behaviour. He outlines some of the vulnerabilities to extremism and indicators of risk. He describes his research in Iraq, and the long-term impacts of conflict and political turmoil upon the mental health of Iraqis. The feeling of threat experienced can be traumatic and generate uncertainty. He describes the role of affirmation and now people might compensate for identity threat, and provide means of deradicalisation. He discusses the situation in the Middle East, the importance of fieldwork and how to address a loved one who has fallen into extremism.