Edvin Sandström

Building Digital Resilience Through Testimonial Theatre

Edvin Sandström, Senior Researcher at the Swedish Center for Preventing Violent Extremism (CVE)

Outline • Increased concerns about lone actors in Sweden.

• Understanding lone actors through testimonial theatre.

• Tailored for professionals and students in educational settings.

• Key insights we have gathered so far.

Increased concerns about lone actors in Sweden • We have witnessed several lone actor attacks in recent years.

• Recently, we experienced the deadliest mass shooting so far.

• Professionals are asking for support to deal with online radicalization.

• More support is needed on how to report a concern that enters the social care system.

• There is growing concern about school attacks.

Understanding lone actors through testimonial theatre • A testimonial theatre, “Predator”, based on a lone actor's radicalisation process that leads to a school shooting.

• The title reflects a young man's journey from being hunted to becoming a hunter based on interviews and research.

• Collaboration between CVE, Theatre Fryshuset, and Fri Scen.

• The project began in 2023 and premiered on January 30, 2025.

• It will reappear in May at the Swedish National Theatre.

Tailored for professionals and students in educational settings (15 +) • Promoting the performance mainly to schools.

• Planning it with the local PCVE stakeholders.

• Pre-talk guided by educational material we send out beforehand.

• Performance.

• Post-talk.

Key insights we have gathered so far • Increased awareness of online radicalisation.

• Initiates discussions about online identity and behaviour.

• Sparks curiosity among teachers, motivating them to “do more.”

• Acknowledges signs and interplay.

• Prompts conversations about responsibility.

• Evaluation of effects and change by external actors (ongoing)