This article draws on the insights from complexity science to outline potential strategies within
education which could interrupt the spread of violent extremism. It first identifies three
problems in examining extremism - definitions, causes and targets—before arguing for a focus
on systems, not individual learners. Within systems, diversity is needed for emergence, and
narrow, hard secularism is rejected in favor of a dynamic secularism which encourages a variety
of belief systems in order to guard against polarization. The systems of education, religion, law
and of terrorism itself are analyzed to identify entry points and vulnerabilities. After looking at
the theories of change used by extremist groups, the paper proposes a theory of change within
the niche of education which has four strands: Introducing turbulence through value pluralism,
working within the enabling constraints of human rights, building confidence and resilience, and
developing networking for social change. All four combined are necessary to generate the
creativity which can undermine the wicked problem.