From Radicals to Community Builders: Reframing the Roles of Women through Design Thinking

Abstract

In this paper, we problematise the concept of radicalisation, more in particular female radicalisation. First, we define radicalisation, differentiate between the types of radicalisation, and how it is enabled through both societal and personal factors and discuss gender-specific drivers through a literature review. Next, we discuss our methodology combining wicked problems and design thinking.
This methodology allows us to tap into the tacit knowledge of the grass-root change agents organising arts-based activities to prevent female radicalisation. It facilitates uncovering and working with blind spots within the arts-based activities and the training sessions held within the “CommUnity Project” (Horizon 2020, n. 871056). In our final critical reflection, we discuss the urgency of working with these unknown female radicalised roles as these societal blind spots enable radicalism.