Intersubjective body mapping for reintegration: assessing an art-based methodology to promote reintegration of foreign terrorist fighters

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the use of an artistic methodology to explore embodied experiences related to the reintegration of returning Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs). The methodology combines bodily, sensory and cognitive aspects of individual and intersubjective processes – dimensions which have long been neglected in research on reintegration. The research seeks to examine how the artistic body mapping methodology can be used in exploratory and participatory research aiming to promote the reintegration of returning FTFs. The intersubjective body mapping methodology, developed as part of this research, is used and assessed in order to explore its utility for advancing dialogue in addressing challenges related to the reintegration process, including understanding and trust, as experienced by returning FTFs, community members and security personnel in Mombasa, Kenya. The research confirms that the use of intersubjective body mapping is a powerful tool in the context of reintegration, as it serves to enhance understanding for the self and others, which correlates with trust, while allowing for communicating empirical knowledge beyond conventional means.

KEYWORDS:

• Reintegration
• FTF
• returnee
• victim of terrorism
• intersubjective body mapping
• al-Shabaab

Acknowledgements

The author is grateful to the Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund (GCERF) and the Coastal Interfaith Council of Clerics Trust (CICC), for funding the conduct of one body mapping workshop with community members, and its subsequent exhibition for audience engagement. Further, the author expresses her gratitude to Xavier Verhoest, for his invaluable expertise. She would also like to thank the reviewers for their insightful suggestions and constructive feedback on the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Tina Mykkanen

Tina Mykkanen is an international expert consultant, engaged by the United Nations and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in P/CVE and CT programming, management and development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. Her research focuses on the reintegration of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs), seeing specifically to sustainability of, and commitment to, reintegration processes, and currently explores aspects of norms and arts as a means to inform and strengthen strategies and initiatives.