In theoretical modeling collective violence - like mass murder, genocide, terrorism - we see a gradual shift from mono-causal theories to patterns and typologies, to the recent processual approaches. In analyzing the complex interplay of (f)actors that lead to cumulative radicalization it becomes clear that the needed approach to combat violent extremism will be a multi-agency one. This lecture models collective violence as a living complex adaptive system with many entrances and exits (rhizome) and advances some essential rules to focus on.

Christophe Busch is the general director of Kazerne Dossin: memorial, museum and expert center on Holocaust and Human Rights and the founder-connector of UFUNGU: network on radicalization & polarization in Belgium. He holds a master in Criminology (University of Ghent) and a master in Holocaust and Genocide studies (University of Amsterdam) and is currently finalizing his PhD research (UvA) on the complexity of collective violence.
The last years he is mainly engaged in the field of terrorism studies (university of Saint Andrews) and focusses with the UFUNGU network of professionals on the emergence of deradicalization/ disengagement and depolarization initiatives. He gives several lectures on the topics of collective violence, human rights, perpetrator behavior, radicalization, derad programs and risk taxation/management for officials within security and correctional departments.
He’s the chairman of the expert group on radicalization within the Flemish departments of education and welfare.
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