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Research Institute
Center for Radicalization Studies and Prevention

About the ZRP

Welcome to the website of the Center for Radicalization Research and Prevention (ZRP) at IU International University of Applied Sciences.


As an interdisciplinary research institute we examine both individual and structural causes of radicalization as well as societal responses within established systems and fields of prevention. Our work brings together basic and applied research, identifies blind spots in the study of radicalization, and develops prevention concepts as well as policy recommendations for politics, administration and practice.


Our research specializations include the forms and dynamics of extremist ideologies, developments and trends among actors and milieus, as well as the possibilities and professionalization of counseling and prevention work. In doing so, we do not only examine the visible symptoms of radicalization but deliberately address its societal causes and structural conditions. We approach prevention in a holistic way, embedded in social, political and cultural contexts.

Interdisciplinary Approaches to the Field

As early as 2022, a nationwide network of researchers was established within IU International University of Applied Sciences to respond to the alarming developments of recent years with an interdisciplinary and practice-oriented research approach. This network gave rise to the ZRP-Institute, conducting research across Germany, funded by IU and based at the Essen campus.


Research activities take place nationwide at the various campuses of IU International University of Applied Sciences as well as internationally with foreign cooperation partners. We conduct research and work in multiple languages (including Turkish, Farsi and English) and across disciplines, drawing on criminology, political science and educational science. Such a practice-oriented and interdisciplinary team in the field of social work is a novelty in the research landscape.

Mission, Research, Vision

Our goal is to analyze phenomena of radicalization in their causes, dynamics and manifestations in a differentiated way. At the same time, as lecturers in social work we carry both a professional and societal mandate. Therefore, we consider it essential to develop prevention strategies that are evidence-based and to strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion in a sustainable way.


Through our research projects, practice and counseling approaches, and training programs, we seek to support government authorities, civil society organizations and companies worldwide in developing effective strategies to counter radicalization and extremism.


Our scientific findings form the basis for concrete transfer activities, such as:

  • Teaching and learning materials, seminar concepts and training courses

  • Scientific monitoring of projects e.g. CHAMPS, MEDAR, konex

  • Preparation of policy papers and expert reports for municipalities, authorities, and ministries

  • Counseling services for professionals in youth welfare, education, politics and civil society

  • Integration of research findings into teaching at IU (e.g. the dual study program in Social Work)

Key Research Areas

  • Research on individual and structural causes and the description of forms of extremism and radicalization

    Through further development of quantitative survey instruments and qualitative field studies.

  • (Further) development of counseling and preventive approaches

    We conduct applied research: Together with practitioners, we develop and further refine approaches. We work closely with cities and municipalities to develop regional strategies and build networks.

Thematic Work Priorities

  • Individual and structural causes research and description of forms of extremism and radicalization
    Through the further development of quantitative survey instruments and through qualitative field studies.

  • (Further) development of counseling and prevention approaches

    We conduct application-oriented research: Together with practitioners, approaches are developed and further developed. We work closely with cities and municipalities to develop regional strategies and build networks.

Status Q1/2025

Facts & Figures

88 academic publications

30+ media appearances (press, TV, radio)

5 supervised PhD projects

300+ stakeholders in the network

Our Experts

ZRP Research Team

Prof. Dr. Burak Çopur

Head of ZRP, Turkey-related (right-wing) extremism and racism

Yannick von Lautz

Academic Coordinator ZRP, (De-)Radicalization Research, Exit Work

Prof. Dr. Dr. Veronika Zimmer

Research on Islamism and Right-Wing Extremism

Prof. Dr. Emre Arslan

Racism, Right-Wing Extremism, and Democracy

Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kart

Research on Islamism and Right-Wing Extremism

Prof. Dr. Kemal Bozay

Ideologies of Inequality, Critical Racism Studies & Right-Wing Extremism in Migration Societies

Prof. Dr. Jens Ostwaldt

Prevention and Deradicalization Research

Prof. Dr. Bärbel Bongartz

Prof. Dr. Bärbel Bongartz

Criminology Research

Michel Bergmann

Research Assistant

Dilara Manaz

Dilara Manaz

Working student at ZRP

Publications

Selected publications by ZRP members

Members of the ZRP regularly publish scientific studies addressing socially relevant issues such as racism, antisemitism, religiously motivated extremism, or the role of schools and social work in prevention. Examples include:

  • The edited volume Radicalization and Prevention in the Focus of Social Work

  • Research findings from the projects „Distanz“ and „UWIT“

  • Academic monitoring of the primary prevention project „CHAMPS“ within the framework of „Distanz“

  • IU Compass Extremism

  • Dissemination of findings via the Federal Agency for Civic Education: The role of schools in the prevention of Islamist radicalization and in deradicalization

Show all expenses

The members of ZRP regularly publish scientific studies that shed light on socially relevant topics such as racism, anti-Semitism, religiously motivated extremism, or the role of school and social work in prevention. Here are some examples:

Research projects

Mapping the field

Focus on Turkish Right-Wing Extremism and Ultranationalism in (Organized) Sports

  • Lead: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kart & Prof. Dr. Kemal Bozay

  • Duration: 06/2025 – 12/2025

  • Funding: Deutsche Sportjugend

PRESSURE MECHANISMS AND RADICALIZATION PROCESSES

Socio-Political Pressure Mechanisms and Radicalization Processes Among Alevi Youth in German-Speaking Countries

  • Lead: Dr. Handan Aksünger-Kizil, University of Vienna

  • Cooperation Partner: Prof. Dr. Burak Çopur, Center for Radicalization Research and Prevention

  • Duration: 04/2025 – 09/2027

  • Funding: Dokumentationsstelle Politischer Islam

konex

Evaluation of the Exit Counseling Program at the Competence Center on Extremism Baden-Württemberg (konex) within the State Office of Criminal Investigation

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Jens Ostwaldt

  • Duration: 04/2024 – 07/2025

  • Funding: State Office of Criminal Investigation Baden-Württemberg (dt. Landeskriminalamt Baden-Württemberg)

ZAMAT

Evaluation of the Advisory Office of the Central Contact Point for Office Holders and Mandate Bearers (ZAMAT) within the State Office of Criminal Investigation Baden-Württemberg

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Jens Ostwaldt

  • Duration: 09/2024-12/2024

  • Funding: State Office of Criminal Investigation Baden-Württemberg (dt. Landeskriminalamt Baden-Württemberg)

CONSORTIUM PROJECT DISTANZ

Consortium Project Distanz - “Structural Causes of Approaching and Distancing from Islamist Radicalization - Developing Preventive-Pedagogical Counseling Approaches”

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Mehmet Kart

  • Consortium Partner: University of Vechta

  • Duration: 11/2020-01/2025

  • Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research

JOINT PROJECT UWIT

Social Causes and Effects of Radical Islam from the Perspective of (Prospective) Islamic Theologians

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Veronika Zimmer

  • Consortium Partner: University of Vechta

  • Duration: 11/2020 – 10/2024

THE GREY WOLVES AND THE FURKAN MOVEMENT

The Grey Wolves and the Furkan Movement in the City of Dortmund

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Kemal Bozay & Prof. Dr. Burak Çopur

  • Funding: City of Dortmund (Stadt Dortmund)

PeriEx

Perception of Right-Wing Extremist Narratives

  • Project Lead: Prof. Dr. Jens Ostwaldt

  • Duration: 05/2023 – 06/2024

  • Funding: Federal Ministry of Education and Research (dt. Bildungsministerium für Bildung und Forschung)

GameD

Gaming for Democracy in the Context of Contemporary Forms of Extremism

  • Project Lead:  Prof. Dr. Jens Ostwaldt

  • Consortium Partners: Scenor (AU), BoJa (AU), LAG Mobile, Youth Work BW (DE), Serious Games Interactive (DK), Danish Youth Team (DK)

  • Duration: 04/2022 – 04/2024

  • Funding: European Union / Erasmus+

Expertise

Expertise: Racism and Radicalization

  • Project Participants: All members of ZRP

  • Funding: Camino GmbH

Events

SYMPOSIUM

Recognising the signs! – Developments in right-wing populism after the 2025 Bundestag election

  • Challenges in child and youth welfare

  • Venue: IU International University, Kruppstr. 16, 45128 Essen, Ruhr

  • In cooperation with: Evangelischen Erziehungsverband e. V. (EREV)

SYMPOSIUM

Cultural hegemony strategies of the New Right

  • Venue: Literaturforum im Brecht-Haus

  • Organized by: Gesellschaft für Sinn und Form e. V., Chausseestraße 125, 10115 Berlin-Mitte

Programm & Anmeldung

PRACTICE-ORIENTED CONFERENCE

Radicalisation prevention revisited – Practice and research in dialogue

  • Venue: IU Internationale Hochschule Köln, Hildeboldpl. 20, 50672 Köln

Veranstaltungsflyer

HYBRID CONFERENCE

Radicalisation and prevention

  • Venue: On-site (Campus Essen) or online

HYBRID CONFERENCE

Radicalisation and prevention in the spotlight of social work

  • Venue: On-site (Campus Hamburg) or online

Hybride Fachtagung

Radicalization and Prevention in the Focus of Social Work

  • Venue: On-campus Event (Campus Hamburg) or Online Event

Veranstaltungsflyer

Latest News

IU establishes new institute for practice-oriented research on radicalization and prevention

IU sends a strong signal for democracy - Invitation to the official institute launch and ZRP conference

Lächelnde Wissenschaftler im Gespräch beim Ausfüllen von Papierkram im Forschungslabor

IU opens the Center for Radicalization Research and Prevention (ZRP) in Essen

Science meets state politics

Awards, accreditations and certifications

WR Wissenschaftsrat
ZFU