The Pluscarden Programme for the Study of Global Terrorism and IntelligenceThis is a project directed by Dr Steve Tsang to study and promote the better understanding of contemporary intelligence and security issues, particularly in light of their importance in the era of global terrorism. Its initial focus is the changing face of intelligence. Through seminars, workshops, international conferences and publications, the programme will examine and promote understanding of the problems that Intelligence organizations must face while balancing the need to deal with the threats posed by global terrorism on the one hand, and to protect human rights and the democratic norms on the other. It also seeks to examine the causes of terrorism in general and global terrorism in particular from a broad perspective. This will involve taking into account the effects of globalisation, the ever-changing socio-economic environment in different parts of the world, the impact of disease, crime and other factors that create swift changing and unstable political environments, as well as the likely demonstrative effect the Al Qaeda approach may have on new groups that may turn to global terrorism for reasons unrelated to what drives Al Qaeda. A key objective of this programme is to foster discussions and debates among those in the front line of intelligence work and the academic world. The starting point of this programme is the belief that academia's capacity to take a long-term, well balanced and broadly based view can be enriched by gaining insights into how Intelligence organisations operate in practice. Likewise, the Intelligence community can benefit from the detached analysis of scholars, who have the luxury of time to give fuller consideration to issues important to the long-term success of Intelligence work, particularly against global terrorism, but do not immediately involve a threat to the security of the realm and safety of the general public. In order to bring about synergy the Programme will promote dialogue and debate among scholars, those concerned with the rights of the individual and those involved in collecting, collating, analysing and using intelligence on a daily basis. The programme will also support the publication and dissemination of research work and selected seminar papers, either in print or on the website, on issues related to the study of Intelligence and global terrorism in the twenty-first century. A committee has been formed to advise the Programme Director on matters relating to the academic content of proposed seminars, conferences and workshops, the choice of speakers and visitors, academic and other links, publication, general direction of the programme, and fund-raising. Members of the Advisory Committee generally also take part in events organized under the aegis of the Programme. PAST LECTURES AND PUBLICATIONS Draft conference papers produced for the annual Pluscarden Programme conference entitled 'Countering Home-Grown Terrorism' held at St Antony's College on 23-24 March 2009:
'Conflict Economics, Underdevelopment and Counter-Terrorism': report by Andrea Baumann on workshop held on 25 February 2009 centres/conflict-econ-workshop-report-0309.pdf Pre-publication chapter in 'Combating Transnational Terrorism: Searching for a New Paradigm', by Steve Tsang, forthcoming by Praeger Security International, 2009. centres/tsang-international-framework-0309.pdf 'After Iraq - shall we ever intervene again?': lecture delivered by Lord Ashdown on 3 May 2007 (PDF) 'Report on visit to Afghanistan from 15 to 22 January 2007' : by Sir Michael Aaronson CBE (PDF) PLANNED EVENTS Details of planned events are available on our Cross Centre Events page. MEMBERS OF THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE: CONTACT: Director: Dr Steve Tsang - steve.tsang@sant.ox.ac.uk
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