A unique research centre dedicated to reducing the global threat of terrorism and minimising its impact on society was launched in London today [May 25] by an international alliance of leading universities including the University of Bristol.
The International Center for the Study of Terrorism (ICST) brings together experts from both sides of the Atlantic and from other countries to investigate the root causes of this worldwide phenomenon, understand its long-term effects on society and identify new ways of safeguarding individuals, organisations and communities.
How do terrorist groups draw in and socialise new members? How can terrorists’ confidence in their leaders be undermined? How can diffused terrorist networks be disrupted? How can the behavioural patterns and physical characteristics of suicide bombers be detected before they reach their target? Does the nature of the media’s coverage of terrorism have an impact on radicalisation?
Clusters of researchers from the partner universities are seeking answers to such questions by drawing on a range of academic disciplines, including psychology, sociology, political science, anthropology, religious studies, criminology and mathematics.
The hub of the ICST is at Pennsylvania State University in the USA. Most of the other partners are members of the Worldwide Universities Network (WUN) – a group of 16 universities in the UK, mainland Europe, the USA and China that pool their research strengths to address topics of major significance, from climate change to wireless communications. The partners involved in the ICST will draw on WUN’s expertise in brokering and supporting research links.
Dr Graham Spanier, President of Pennsylvania State University, said at today’s launch: “Terrorism is not the preserve of any one ethnic, religious or political group; it crosses national borders and is a source of widespread fear.
“Senior figures in the USA, the UK and elsewhere with a role in national security tell us there’s a dimension of counter-terrorism activity that is seriously under-developed. It is the dimension that relates, for example, to how and why some people become radicalised and turn against their own or other people.
“The new centre has much to contribute. Its academics are not bound by the preconceptions and assumptions of any one discipline, perspective or ideology. Its objective is new, scientifically validated knowledge, grounded in the best available data and the most rigorous methodologies.”
Dr Spanier, who also chairs America’s National Security Higher Education Advisory Board, added that there was scope for more dialogue between governments, academics and communities concerned with a variety of security threats.
One of the ICST’s first initiatives will be to bring together experts from around the world to assess how much is known about the psychology of terrorism and to define what needs to be done to raise the global level of awareness.
While the Center’s principal focus is on the behavioural and social sciences, it will also develop links with the physical sciences and engineering insofar as they contribute to understanding, preventing and responding to terrorism.
Professor Eric Thomas, Chair of WUN and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Bristol, said: “One of our network’s prime roles is to bring universities together to identify solutions to some of the most challenging and pressing issues. Terrorism clearly falls into that category today, just as it has done for many years. We have created an opportunity for universities to put their intellectual capital to work in helping to create a safer world.
“Universities have expertise, independence, objectivity and an international outlook. That is why they can play a crucial role in addressing difficult, sensitive and highly charged issues such as this.”
Last month, in a report for the UK Government, Professor Sir Gareth Roberts, President of Wolfson College, Oxford, cited WUN as the foremost example of how to create effective transatlantic research partnerships.