7. Finally, evaluating the impact of de-escalatory and ‘soft’ or non-coercive approaches.

The research on these approaches is limited, but there is strong evidence that 'hard' repressive measures lead to unintended consequences. Perhaps it's time to try something else? END

6. Considering involving civil society actors, appealing to moderate voices, and supporting "target hardening" of at-risk locations.

Moderate voices can facilitate non-violent political opportunities (see 4). Target hardening can include increasing protective measures for vulnerable locations. 7/8

5. Adopting de-escalatory approaches that facilitate safe protests.

Enabling and facilitating safe protests using non-violent tactics and separating counter-movements may help to de-escalate violence. 6/8

4. Avoiding repressive policing and militarised tactics associated with escalating violence.

Repressive state responses have been found to increase violence, whilst also raising human rights concerns. Repressive measures disproportionately impact minoritised communities. 5/8

3. Facilitating non-violent political opportunities and reducing injustice grievances to mitigate potential violence.

Injustice grievances can include national political issues, responses to migration, and social inequalities and segregation. 4/8

2. Identifying "risky" events to plan preventative measures.

Local political events and grievances are more likely to escalate than international issues. "Risky" events can include elections, national political changes, and instances of state violence. 3/8

1. Considering the factors that may indicate increased risk of violence within social movements and their contexts to facilitate planning of preventative measures.

Fragmented, decentralised, and repressed movements accompanied by spontaneous events are more likely to escalate to violence. 2/8

I'd say yes because it encourages greater interdisciplinary reach and integration. One thing I've learnt in a brief stint in an IR department is that different disciplines may be publishing on the same topic but in very different ways/spaces/siloes.

Great idea - I'd love to be added please!

That's definitely a part of the context, but the current work is a rapid evidence assessment and there isn't really anything published yet on this year's UK ones. They will be a really interesting case study for future research.

They are a big part of my current research! I'm looking at whether and how protests relate to extremism/terrorism. The gilets jaunes are a really interesting case study, not least because they don't neatly fit into boxes of "Islamist/far right" - and so are often overlooked in the extremism space.

Just made the switch - this is really helpful! I'd love to be on the list please.