Radicalization and intervention lecture presented by the Psychology Profile and Peace Centre
The Psychology Profile teamed up with the Peace Centre to invite Dr. Michael King (see bio below) to speak to students on Oct. 27.
Dr. King joined us virtually during a General Psychology class that forms a learning community triad with an Anthropology and a History course, under the theme of Race, Ethnicity and Migration. The talk on radicalization and the psychological intervention programs that can help individuals involved in extremism or hate-motivated violence, and/or their families was very informative and engaging.
Dr. King’s expertise as a psychologist, a former government employee and current NGO research director was illuminating. We learned about the complex nature of extremist ideologies and judicial ramifications of violent extremist actions.
The multidimensional intervention programs designed for preventing and countering violent extremism prioritize a relationship-based model of service delivery and trauma informed care. They require the collaboration of many stakeholders including family member, friends, forensic psychologists, social workers and specialized mentors such as former radicalized members and religious scholars.
Dr. King also discussed the role that the media has in the portrayal of radicalized individuals and movements. He left us with a lot to think about as well as a list of resources for prevention of violence available here in the Montreal area (see below).
You can view the guest lecture using this link: https://web.microsoftstream.com/video/9d5d1d11-d032-4034-9c81-142d41da59a4
BIO:
Michael King is Director of Research at the Organization for the Prevention of Violence (https://preventviolence.ca/), as well as adjunct professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Toronto. Michael held several positions in the field of counterterrorism; most recently as senior research advisor at the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and the Prevention of Violence, housed within Public Safety Canada, where he helped develop the Government of Canada’s National Strategy on Countering Violence Extremism, and helped establish a community of practice for professionals who work with individuals involved in violent extremism. Previously, Michael has done contract work for community-based NGOs, think tanks, and Canada’s Department of Defense and Ministry of Public Safety. He completed a PhD in social psychology at McGill University, where he researched how individuals legitimize the use of terrorism.
Resources in Montreal:
There are 2 programs that can help steer people away from extremism:
- The CPRMV (https://info-radical.org/en/support/helpline/), and
- a psycho-social intervention team called “the social polarization team” running out of a CIUSSS: 514-267-3979.
Another possibly useful resource is the online course “From Hate to Hope: Building Understanding and Resilience.” This free, non-credit course aims to prevent hate and radicalization by facilitating public education and providing tangible strategies to build resilience… run by https://projectsomeone.ca/
Submitted by Psychology Profile Coordinator Selma Hamdani
