Counter terrorism experts gather in St Andrews

Some of the biggest names in counter terrorism and academia will gather in St Andrews this week (7 and 8 November) to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV).

The oldest such research centre in Europe, the University of St Andrews-based centre has punched above its weight in furthering understanding of terrorism globally since it was founded in 1994.

Invited speakers include:

• Professor Bruce Hoffman (founder father of CSTPV with the late Professor Paul Wilkinson)
• Lord Jonathan Evans (ex-Director of MI5)
• Professor Martha Crenshaw (a pioneer of the emerging field of studying terrorism since the 1970s)
• Professor Richard English (an expert on Irish Republicanism of world renown)
• Mark Juergensmeyer (leading authority on religious terrorism)
• Chris Andrew (official historian of MI5)
• Audrey Cronin (leading expert on how terrorist campaigns end)

CSTPV Director Dr Tim Wilson said: “In a field renowned for both its short-termism and amnesia, this symposium represents a rare chance to look both forward and back. Experts will reflect on what we have learnt about terrorism and its evolution; but also reflect on what forms future threats may take.

“While the age of highly organised and professional conspiracies – such as that represented by the Provisional IRA – has apparently faded, it has been replaced by the more diffuse spectre of radicalised individuals and small groups conducting more spontaneous attacks in the name of Islamist or far-right ideologies.

“Such attacks are often amateur but, as the recent horrors in New Zealand showed, can still cause enormous carnage. As the third decade of the 21st century looms, terrorism remains as urgent a moral and policy challenge to society as ever. The tradition of rigorous and sober scholarship that CSTPV has represented for a quarter of century is needed more than ever.”