dr. P.G.T. (Pieter) Nanninga
Research interests
My research focuses on conflicts and violence in the Middle East, and especially the role of transnational jihadism therein. I have developed particular expertise in de cultural dimension of extremism and processes of meaning making in order to contribute to a better understanding of the appeal of jihadist ideology, violence and propaganda for the actors involved. I have studied these aspects from different perspectives, focusing on various cases across the Middle East, and using insights from several fields and disciplines, including Middle Eastern Studies, Cultural History, Religious Studies and Terrorism Studies.
Since my PhD, my research has focused on four paths:
i) religion and violence
ii) meaning-making in jihadist propaganda
iii) the cultural dimension of jihadist violence
iv) extremism in the Netherlands
See also my Twitter page