This session will discuss the findings of a recent project funded by the Scottish Council on Global Affairs (SCGA) which examined the needs and priorities of researchers, policymakers and practitioners working on issues relating to counter-terrorism (CT) and countering violent extremism (CVE) in Scotland. Drawing on a review of relevant literature and a small-scale survey it will examine what is known about the nature of extremism and terrorism in Scotland, and how policymakers and practitioners in Scotland are responding to these issues – including identifying specific areas of policy and practice that are distinctive to Scotland. It will also reflect on the limitations of the existing evidence base – including the ongoing lack of empirical research examining these issues in Scotland and set out the parameters for a new research agenda to address these limitations, and ultimately to inform policy and practice in Scotland.
Speakers
Dr James Lewis is a Research Fellow at Handa CSTPV, and an Associated Researcher at the Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats (CREST). His research is primarily focused on two areas: the implementation and evaluation of preventing and countering violent extremism (P/CVE) interventions in different contexts; and trauma-informed perspectives on radicalisation and counter-radicalisation. Recently completed projects include a Campbell Systematic Review of case management tools and approaches for countering radicalisation to violence (funded by Public Safety Canada); and a systematic review of research on trauma, adversity and violent extremism (funded by CREST).
Dr Sarah Marsden is Director of CSTPV and a Senior Lecturer in the School of International Relations. Sarah is also Director of St Andrews Practice Insight Research and Education (SPIRE), a social enterprise that provides consultancy, training and applied research services. Current projects include work on the role of trauma and adversity in terrorism; the relationships between protest and political violence; and evaluation of terrorism prevention interventions.