Are academic studies on terorism headed in the wrong direction?

Episode 175: What is the state of modern terrorism studies?

Terrorism studies have ‘exploded’ since 9/11.  What was once a niche field has been inundated with hundreds of millions of dollars and seen the creation of new thinktanks and academic programmes around the world.  But are they all useful?  A conversation with Dr. Joshua Sinai from Capitol Technology University in Laurel, Maryland.

About my guest

Dr. Joshua Sinai is Professor of Practice, Intelligence & Global Security Studies, at Capitol Technology University, in Laurel, Maryland where he directs two programs: 1) Counterterrorism, and 2) intelligence & global security, at the B.S., MS., and Doctoral levels. Based in the Washington, DC area, Dr. Sinai has more than 35 years of experience in international security, national security, and homeland security studies with the U.S. government, academia, and the corporate sector. Dr. Sinai is well-published in academic journals, trade magazines, edited volumes, and training curricula. His pocket handbook “Active Shooter: A Handbook on Prevention”, published by ASIS International in 2013 and as an expanded second edition in 2016, is a best-selling book on public safety that details active shooter incidents, preparation and prevention, and tactical responses. He has recently been re-appointed as Associate Editor, Book Reviews, at the revamped quarterly journal “Perspectives on Terrorism,” which is now published by the ICCT The Hague.

Canadian Intelligence Eh

In a world of multiple voices and opinions it can be very hard to know where to turn.  One choice is to look to those who actually worked in counter-terrorism in the national security world. In these half-hour podcasts, 30-year Canadian intelligence veteran Phil Gurski is joined by a fascinating array of individuals with something meaningful to say about these issues as they provide insight into what they mean and what we need to do about them.

About Phil Gurski

Phil Gurski is the President and CEO of Borealis Threat and Risk Consulting Ltd. and Distinguished Fellow in National Security at the University of Ottawa’s Professional Development Institute (PDI). He worked as a senior strategic analyst at CSIS (Canadian Security Intelligence Service) from 2001-2015, specialising in violent Islamist-inspired homegrown terrorism and radicalisation. He is the author of six books on terrorism, including the second edition of The Peaceable Kingdom: A history of terrorism in Canada from Confederation to the present, published by Double Dagger in February 2023.