How can institutions better support researchers? The case of extremism and terrorism research

Research in certain fields of study may carry emotional and safety-related risks. For example, scholars in the field of extremism and terrorism often navigate potentially uncomfortable or unsafe environments, face an emotional toll when exposed to extreme ideologies or risk facing backlash from extremists, either during the research process or after the publication of their findings or media appearances. However, support provided for them tends to be limited, often due to the lack of institutional awareness of the risks inherent in researching potentially dangerous populations. Drawing on 13 interviews with directors and coordinators of research institutions that have developed guidelines and protocols to protect researchers, as well as 7 internal documents produced by these institutions, this article examines institutional practices for preventing, mitigating and responding to harm, threats and harassment of researchers. The findings emphasize the role of institutions in establishing a safe organizational culture, implementing safety tools and protocols and considering the intersectional nature of risks and challenges.