This episode of The IR thinker explores Critical Terrorism Studies with Professor Lee Jarvis, examining how the field interrogates power relations, knowledge production and ethical responsibility in research on political violence. The conversation contrasts CTS with more traditional approaches, looks at media representations, state practices and technological change, and highlights how CTS can be used to study radicalisation, non state actors and security policy.

Lee Jarvis

Lee Jarvis is Professor of International Politics at Loughborough University, England. His research focuses on how security challenges such as terrorism, radicalisation, cyber threats and pandemics are constructed and communicated, with particular attention to counter terrorism politics, critical security studies and social memories of terrorism. He has published widely on these themes and serves as co editor of the journal Critical Studies on Terrorism.

Publications:

Three waves of critical terrorism studies: agenda-setting, elaboration, problematisation

The Proscription or Listing of Terrorist Organisations: Understanding, Assessment, and International Comparisons

Toward a Vernacular Security Studies: Origins, Interlocutors, Contributions, and Challenges

Critical terrorism studies and the far-right: beyond problems and solutions?

Content

00:00 - Introduction

02:08 - Overview of Critical Terrorism Studies (CTS) and Its Main Objectives

04:18 - Defining ‘Critical’ in Critical Terrorism Studies

06:50 - Conceptualising Terrorism in CTS

10:05 - Comparison: Traditional Terrorism Studies vs. Critical Terrorism Studies

11:38 - Examining the Role of Power in CTS

14:10 - Emphasis on Reflexivity in CTS

16:57 - Notable Shortcomings and Criticisms of CTS

19:20 - Expanding CTS Beyond Western Scholarship

21:29 - Focus on Non-State Actors in CTS

27:09 - Media Representation of Terrorism in CTS

32:26 - Ethical Considerations in CTS Research

35:00 - State Practices and Their Impact in CTS

39:53 - Balancing Human Rights and National Security in CTS

43:41 - The Influence of Technological Developments on CTS

48:21 - Embracing an Interdisciplinary Approach in CTS

51:48 - Addressing Biases in Traditional Terrorism Studies Through CTS

54:02 - CTS Analytical Framework for Studying Radicalisation

57:48 - Utilising Prediction Analysis in CTS

01:01:00 - Debunking Myths Associated with CTS

01:03:23 - Potential Research Areas Using CTS Perspectives

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