The Ammodo Science Award is presented every two years to eight scientists across four science fields. Winning this award allows the researchers to conduct unfettered scientific research on fundamental issues in their field in the coming years.
Rik Peels developed an innovative theoretical framework that explains how seemingly rational people can arrive at extreme positions. Using the concept of non-ideal rationality, he shows that conspiracy thinkers are not necessarily unreasonable but rather reason according to their own logic. Limited access to information and conscious rejection of certain sources can ultimately lead to radicalization. By showing that conspiracy thinking, religious fundamentalism and terrorism are different manifestations of the same radicalization process, he has introduced an entirely new view of extremism that is crucial for more effective prevention. (https://vu.nl/nl/nieuws/2025/ammodo-science-award-2025-voor-freek-van-ede-en-rik-peels)
Rik himself says on LinkedIn that he will use the money to do further research on 'extremist narratives that have grown and become much more influential politically in recent years.' This is in response to conversations with Beatrice de Graaf and others about a first-person perspective in radicalization studies: 'we need to listen in science to extremists themselves to understand them better.' Rik says this means both fieldwork, and significantly more theology and philosophy in extremism research! (https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rik-peels-33a6967a_ammodo-science-award-2025-voor-freek-van-activity-7318139844906389504-HRRt/?originalSubdomain=nl)
