I am grateful for the interest Professor Glees is showing in my research
(Are Universities Hotbeds of Islamic Radicalism? - Dec 3, 2008).
It is, however, important to answer his contention that the research was based on "flimsy" evidence. Although a number of individual, in-depth interviews did form a central part of the study, they were also part of a much longer list of information sources which render it far from flimsy.
These included a focus group with students from the University of Bradford, and further face-to-face interviews with members of Muslim youth organisations, (namely, the Federation of Student Islamic Societies, the Federation of Muslim Youth, Young Muslims UK and the Oak Project).
Internet research on these and other organisations - such as the Muslim Public Affairs Committee - and documentary research on two publications, both of which target young professionals, was also carried out. The study was also informed by a wide literature conducted by well-respected researchers such as Tariq Modood and Pnina Werbner.
It was this range of research, rather than a number of sample interviews alone, that drew us to the conclusion that young Muslim students are not disproportionately involved in extremist politics or susceptible to such radicalisation.
