Uni in the Brewery: Session 3

What do we know about why people become Terrorists?

Presented by Adam Dolnik

Abstract

What drives people join terrorist organizations? Psychological forces? Poverty? Religion? Foreign occupation? Is there a typical profile of a terrorist? How do the terrorists think? These are some of the most commonly raised questions of recent years. This presentation will evaluate the successes and failures of the academic field of terrorism studies, specifically in relation to the issue of terrorist motivations. The different explanations and approaches to answering the question of why people become terrorists will be examined, focusing on the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Some preliminary observations will be offered in the conclusion.

When: Wednesday 20th August (5:30-6:30)
Where: Five Islands Brewery in Wollongong
RSVP: vwallace@uow.edu.au

Presenter Biography

Dr Adam Dolnik is the Director of Research Programs and Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Transnational Crime Prevention (CTCP) at the University of Wollongong. Formerly he has served as chief trainer at the International Centre for Political Violence and Terrorism Research (ICPVTR) in Singapore, and as a researcher at the Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism Research Project at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in California and at the United Nations Terrorism Prevention Branch in Vienna.

Dr Dolnik has lectured for various governmental and nongovernmental organizations and agencies in over 30 countries, and has also conducted field research on terrorism in conflict zones. His books include Understanding Terrorist Innovation: Technologies, Tactics, and Global Trends (London: Routledge, 2007) and Negotiating Hostage Crises with the New Terrorists (Westport CT: Praeger Security International, 2007) as well as over 40 reports and articles on terrorism related issues.

Last reviewed: 15 April, 2008