The Transformation of Transatlantic Counter-Terrorism 2001-25
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bath
Department Name: Politics, Languages and Int Studies
Abstract
TThe +3 phase of the fellowship will continue its focus on terrorist and CT organisational transformation, and how can trust be improved in the latter. These two themes were integrated in three original research questions: 1/ Does a Post-Fordist conceptual framework enhance understanding of transatlantic CT transformation? 2/ What are the implications of this transformation for trust and information exchange? 3/ How can trust be improved? We have already addressed RQ1 and most of RQ2, and are now concentrating on RQ3 and the how this informs both theory and practice. Following practitioner feedback, we have also introduced RQ 4: how can the lessons from CT liaison over the past 20 years can be applied to state-based threats?
To address these questions the fellowship follows two research strands. The first addresses an acknowledged lack of theory in the literature on transatlantic CT organisation by providing a major new theoretical explanation of the profound transformation of CT intelligence and policing since 9/11. It will continue to apply a Post-Fordist framework originally used in industrial sociology to better understand the organisational solutions adopted by CT communities. When placed in the wider context of societal change, Post-Fordism's central organisational tenets of outsourcing; a network approach; core-periphery divide; and centralisation and de-centralisation have broken new ground in understanding why and how transatlantic CT transformation has occurred. Other sociology and technological theories will continue to give illuminating new perspectives on the history of how both democratic and undemocratic states grapple with CT challenges (Co-I lead); on top-down innovative or bottom-up adaptive drivers of terrorist organisational transformation; the militarisation of police CT responses; and the implications of CT transformation for organisational trust and liaison, providing the richest sociological analysis to date.
Building on seven years of research and exploiting the applicant's unique CT network, the second strand complements Strand 1 by developing trust, capacity and CT future leaders through TACT, and knowledge exchange between practitioners and academics through TACT+. Identified by practitioners as sorely needed to help build trust between mid-level operational personnel - the future leaders - TACT is an annual multilateral practitioner only workshop focused on the sharing of operational and organisational lessons, the standardisation of terminology, and the development of trust and leadership. As demonstrated by the supporting letters, successful delivery TACT is already having international practical impact.
The outputs of the first three years of the grant have already answered RQ1 and expanded analysis to terrorist organisations. To further the impact of this research, a research monograph will incorporate both these analyses into a theory-informed narrative history of the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and CT since 9/11. In the +3 phase some more interviews are required with policymakers and practitioners involved in organisational change to widen the evidential base for the monograph. Second, continuing our theory/practice integration, trust and liaison in the CT community will be examined through engagement with TACT attendees. TACT+ will enhance knowledge exchange and trust between practitioners and academics, Senior practitioners on the Advisory Board will ensure research oversight, while two impact events will widen public knowledge of the monograph and the wider project,
To address these questions the fellowship follows two research strands. The first addresses an acknowledged lack of theory in the literature on transatlantic CT organisation by providing a major new theoretical explanation of the profound transformation of CT intelligence and policing since 9/11. It will continue to apply a Post-Fordist framework originally used in industrial sociology to better understand the organisational solutions adopted by CT communities. When placed in the wider context of societal change, Post-Fordism's central organisational tenets of outsourcing; a network approach; core-periphery divide; and centralisation and de-centralisation have broken new ground in understanding why and how transatlantic CT transformation has occurred. Other sociology and technological theories will continue to give illuminating new perspectives on the history of how both democratic and undemocratic states grapple with CT challenges (Co-I lead); on top-down innovative or bottom-up adaptive drivers of terrorist organisational transformation; the militarisation of police CT responses; and the implications of CT transformation for organisational trust and liaison, providing the richest sociological analysis to date.
Building on seven years of research and exploiting the applicant's unique CT network, the second strand complements Strand 1 by developing trust, capacity and CT future leaders through TACT, and knowledge exchange between practitioners and academics through TACT+. Identified by practitioners as sorely needed to help build trust between mid-level operational personnel - the future leaders - TACT is an annual multilateral practitioner only workshop focused on the sharing of operational and organisational lessons, the standardisation of terminology, and the development of trust and leadership. As demonstrated by the supporting letters, successful delivery TACT is already having international practical impact.
The outputs of the first three years of the grant have already answered RQ1 and expanded analysis to terrorist organisations. To further the impact of this research, a research monograph will incorporate both these analyses into a theory-informed narrative history of the symbiotic relationship between terrorism and CT since 9/11. In the +3 phase some more interviews are required with policymakers and practitioners involved in organisational change to widen the evidential base for the monograph. Second, continuing our theory/practice integration, trust and liaison in the CT community will be examined through engagement with TACT attendees. TACT+ will enhance knowledge exchange and trust between practitioners and academics, Senior practitioners on the Advisory Board will ensure research oversight, while two impact events will widen public knowledge of the monograph and the wider project,