About the Project

Aims

The cyberterrorism project is a multidisciplinary, multi-institution research initiative that seeks to explore a number of different questions, such as:

  • What is cyberterrorism?
  • What is the threat from cyberterrorism?
  • What are the different targets of cyberterrorism?
  • How do cyber-terrorists get prosecuted?
  • How can we become more resilient to the cyberterrorism threat?

Current research activities include:

  • Cyberterrorism: A Multidisciplinary Approach. This is an edited book under contract with Springer and due for publication in 2014. For more information regarding the book click here.
  • Two workshops: to be held September 2012 and Spring 2013. Confirmed participants include academics from the UK, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland. For more information regarding the September workshop click here.
    To read about the upcoming Cyberterrorism conference click here.
  • PhD research projects: Two PhD projects underway (commenced September 2011) and one further to begin in September 2012.
  • Academic perspectives on cyberterrorism: A research project surveying over five hundred academic experts on the concept of terrorism. For more information click here.
  • Definitions of cyberterrorism: A database: The construction of a database of existing legal, political and other definitions of cyberterrorism.

Partners

The Bridging the Gaps (BTG) programme at Swansea University is one of the major sources of funding for the cyberterrorism project. BTG is a collaborative programme which aims to deliver high-quality projects directed towards the global physical, economic and social challenges that face today’s modern world. The multi-disciplinary focus of the programme reflects this, crossing: Arts and Humanities; Engineering; Environment and Society; Law; Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.

BTG is supported by a £780,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). The three-year programme will build activities to stimulate creative thinking and innovative research across disciplines that reflect institutional strengths and strategies.

In line with the aims of the BTG programme, the cyberterrorism project is committed to multi-disciplinarity. The workshops and book that will be the result of this project will bring together contributors from Law, Computer Engineering, Political Science, and beyond to seek a fuller understanding of cyberterrorism and the efficacy of responses to the threat than a single disciplinary understanding.

For more information on Swansea University’s Bridging the Gaps (BTG) programme click here.

The project team are always keen to explore research synergies or partnerships with members of academic and professional communities. If you would like to find out more about what we do, please go to the Contact Page for details on how to get in touch.

Research Support and Funding

  • One ESRC studentship (commencing September 2012)
  • Two university PhD scholarships
  • One Swansea Academy of Learning and Teaching Student Internship
  • One student internship from Swansea University’s School of Law
  • EPSRC-affiliated Bridging the Gaps funding for the project’s initial workshops.

Contributors to the cyberterrorism project have a variety of different academic backgrounds, including: Computer Engineering, Law, Criminology, Political Science and International Relations.

Relevant Links to the Project