Christer Mattsson is a researcher and the Director of the Segerstedt institute at the University of Gothenburg. The institute serves as a national resource center for studying and developing knowledge about violent extremism. His research mainly focuses on processes of radicalization to violent extremism and counter measures. In his presentation he will elaborate a key concept from his latest research, fateful moments. The term was coined by Antony Giddens and helps us understand the crucial moments when life-changing decisions are taken. As indicated in a wide range of research there is somewhat of a contradiction in how long the radicalization process may be and how swift the last step often is taken. Mattson has shown in his research that the last step is often conducted as a result of a confrontation, not seldom within the educational system.