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School of Social Sciences

Simon Cottee - Research

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Research Interests

Coercion; the sociology of crime and deviance; the sociology of intellectuals; political violence and terrorism; apostasy.

Current Research

 

The Apostates: A Qualitative Study of Ex-Muslims in Britain (September 2011-June 2013)

 

Simon is the principal investigator on an ESRC-funded study of Islamic apostasy (RES-000-22-4308)

 

This study explores the phenomenon of Muslim apostasy from the perspective of self-described Muslim apostates. Drawing on life-history interviews with a group of ex-Muslims in Britain, it will provide a detailed qualitative account of what it means and what it is like for apostates to disaffiliate from Islam. The main focus of the study is on the leaving-process and its ramifications as they are experienced and understood by apostates themselves.