Involving researchers from Europe, North Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific region, GREASE is investigating how religious diversity is governed in over 23 countries. Our work focuses on comparing norms, laws and practices that may (or may not) prove useful in preventing religiously inspired radicalisation. Our research will also shed light on how different societies cope with the challenge of integrating religious minorities and migrants. The aim is to deepen our understanding of how religious diversity can be governed successfully, with an emphasis on countering radicalisation trends.

While comparing religious governance models in different parts of the world, GREASE also attempts to unravel the European paradox of religious radicalisation despite growing secularisation. We consider the claim that migrant integration in Europe has failed because second generation youth have become marginalised and radicalised, with some turning to jihadist terrorism networks. Taking into account broader societal transformations such as increased connectivity and mobility, GREASE considers secularisation and radicalisation in light of widening inequalities and resurgent nationalism. The researchers aim to deliver innovative academic thinking on secularisation and radicalisation while offering accessible insights for governance of religious diversity.

The project, which has a budget of 2.2 million euros, is being coordinated by Professor Anna Triandafyllidou from The European University Institute – EUI (Italy). Other consortium members include Professor Tariq Modood from The University of Bristol (UK); Dr. H. A. Hellyer from the Royal United Services Institute – RUSI (UK); Dr. Mila Mancheva from The Centre for the Study of Democracy (Bulgaria); Dr. Egdunas Racius from Vytautas Magnus University (Lithuania); Mr. Terry Martin from the research communications agency SPIA (Germany); Professor Mehdi Lahlou from Mohammed V University of Rabat (Morocco); Professor Haldun Gulalp of The Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (Turkey); Professor Pradana Boy of Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang (Indonesia); Professor Zawawi Ibrahim of The Strategic Information and Research Development Centre (Malaysia); Professor Gurpreet Mahajan of Jawaharlal Nehru University (India), soon to be an EUI fellow;  and Professor Michele Grossman of Deakin University (Melbourne, Australia). GREASE is scheduled for completion in March of 2022.

For more information please contact: Professor Anna Triandafyllidou, anna.triandafyllidou@eui.eu

GREASE – Radicalisation, Secularism and the Governance of Religion: Bringing together European and Asian Perspectives

http://grease.eui.eu