Articles published in the first edition of this series can be read and downloaded here – Thinking on the Edge: An Interdisciplinary Look at Ideological Extremism.

The study of religious and political extremism has expanded substantially in recent years, reflecting the need to better understand and mitigate harms associated with radical ideologies. The multifaceted nature of extremism invites investigation across psychology, criminology, computer science, sociology, and communication studies, among other fields, each contributing distinct frameworks and methods. Despite meaningful theoretical progress, the field continues to face a central limitation: a shortage of robust, generalizable empirical evidence to inform prevention, intervention, and policy. Ongoing debates concern the mechanisms and trajectories of radicalization, the role of digital environments, and the effectiveness of diverse interventions. Although advances in computational methods and large-scale data offer promise, comprehensive empirical programs and sustained cross-disciplinary collaboration remain comparatively limited. There is a growing demand for research that not only advances theory but also systematically evaluates interventions and their real-world outcomes.

This Research Topic aims to advance empirical inquiry into religious and political extremism. We seek contributions that clarify detection, measurement, and prevention of violent radicalization; examine online and offline recruitment processes; evaluate deradicalization, disengagement, and resilience-building interventions; and identify protective and risk factors at individual, group, and societal levels. By emphasizing evidence-based approaches and interdisciplinary exchange, this initiative aims to strengthen both scientific understanding and practical policy and program design, with relevance for all stakeholders engaged in preventing and countering violent extremism.

We invite submissions that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Detection, measurement, and assessment methodologies (e.g., AI, large-scale data, psychometrics)
• Cognitive, affective, and social processes in radicalization, disengagement, and desistance
• Online-offline recruitment dynamics and media/platform influences
• Developmental and life-course perspectives on susceptibility and exit trajectories
• Roles of conspiracy beliefs, heuristics, and misinformation in ideological escalation
• Emotion processes (e.g., anger, humiliation, fear, disgust) in pathways to and from radicalization
• Community resilience, bystander behavior, and social cohesion as protective factors
• Mental health, trauma, and practitioner wellbeing in prevention and intervention contexts
• Evaluation of intervention efficacy, fidelity, implementation, and long-term impact
• Ethical considerations, including privacy, fairness, transparency, accountability, and unintended consequences

We welcome research articles, brief reports, reviews, case studies, and policy analyses that refine theory, improve measurement and intervention strategies, and support diverse stakeholders working to prevent and counter violent extremism.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Thinking on the Edge: An Interdisciplinary Examination of Ideological Extremism, Volume II