The Pax-Caledonia Network is pleased to present a talk on neurodivergence and extremism.
Although neurodivergence does not cause extremist engagement, in recent years there has been increased awareness of neurodivergence within extremist cohorts. Yet, the intersections between neurodivergence and extremism, and the unique pathways to engagement and disengagement within this group, remain under-researched.
Drawing on a systematic review, case studies, and practitioner insights, this research explores how neurodivergent features and experiences – particularly those associated with autism and ADHD – contextualise vulnerability, engagement, and resilience to extremism engagement. Extremism engagement can be understood through both pull factors – such as the structure, stimulation, and anonymity of online extremist spaces – and push factors – such as social isolation, a lack of structure, and sensory overload. Neurodivergent features, such as restricted interests and social communication differences, may interact with other factors and stressors, such as trauma and a lack of support, to contextualise vulnerability or resilience.
These dynamics can shape pathways into extremist spaces, but also present opportunities for protection, detection, and intervention. By examining extremism engagement through the lens of neurodiversity, this research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of how extremist environments intersect with neurocognitive features in shaping both risk and resilience, and highlights the need for tailored, neurodivergence-aware approaches to countering violent extremism.
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Speakers
Dr Nadine Salman
Honorary Research Fellow, University College London Department of Security and Crime Science
Dr Nadine Salman’s research focuses on violent extremism risk assessment, risk and protective factors for extremism engagement, neurodivergence, and practitioner decision-making. Her recent CREST-funded projects have focused on neurodivergence in the context of extremism engagement, and the relationship between protest and political violence. Nadine is currently an Honorary Research Fellow at University College London’s Department of Security and Crime Science and a Senior Researcher in the Counter Terrorism Assessment and Rehabilitation Centre (CT-ARC), having previously worked as a Research Fellow at the University of St Andrews and Lancaster University.
Professor Zainab Al-Attar
Honorary professor of Terrorism and Mental Health – Cardiff Metropolitan University, Adjunct professor in Counter-Terrorism – Victoria University
Prof Al-Attar specialises in Counter-Terrorism as an academic and practitioner. She has worked in Forensic Psychology for 25 years and academia for 27 years, with much of her career focussed on counter-terrorism. Following post-doctoral research at Oxford University, Zainab taught post-graduates at Oxford University and University of Central Lancashire and guest lectured at other universities. She delivered teaching on extremism and neurodiversity in Australia, Europe, and US. Zainab has led and supervised research projects on neurodiversity and extremism for Avert, CREST, Prevent and Oxford University. She’s the author of the RAN Handbook and eLearning on Radicalisation and Mental Health and several papers and chapters in the same field, is co-author of the BPS Ethical Guidelines for psychologists working with extremists and the author of the FARAS and FARAH frameworks for risk assessment with neurodivergent offenders. Zainab is a Forensic Psychologist and honorary and adjunct professor of counter-terrorism and mental health.