Developing counter-terrorism expertise

There is worldwide recognition of the need for greater expertise in police forces, defence forces and government in the area of terrorism.

Associate Professor David Wright-Neville

The Global Terrorism Research Centre at Monash was created with State Government support in 2006 and is headed by Associate Professor David Wright-Neville, a former senior intelligence analyst for the Australian government.

As co-founder of the centre, his current research focuses on the relationship between globalisation and political violence and the political psychology of terrorist violence, with a particular focus on Southeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

Professor Wright-Neville believes it is vital that Canberra continues building new intelligence-based counter-terrorism agreements with our Southeast-Asian neighbours.

Terrorist groups are often small and dynamic, able to change quickly to get around traditional security measures and methods.

While most terrorist groups around the world remain motivated by insular grievances within their country or region, they are increasingly blaming the inability to have them resolved on a symbolic enemy, like the United States.

The focus of the centre is to analyse these groups and related issues, with areas of research including Western and non-Western counter-terrorism policies, and the role of intelligence in countering terrorism.

The postgraduate Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies course -- initiated by the centre -- is the first of its type in Australia to be devoted solely to terrorism and security-related issues. It is designed for professionals working in law enforcement, public service, defence and diplomacy.

More information

• Research at Monash
• Master of Counter-Terrorism Studies
• Global Terrorism Research Centre
• Faculty of Arts, Monash University