The Society for Terrorism Research (STR) is an international, multi-disciplinary organization of theoretical and empirical researchers whose mission is to enhance knowledge and understanding of terrorism and political violence.

STR was founded in 2006 by Samuel Justin Sinclair. He recognized the need for an international perspective, with a multidisciplinary integration, of the emerging knowledge in the field of terrorism and political violence. Over the years, STR has focused on two primary vehicles to support these efforts – the publication of a peer reviewed journal and annual gatherings of researchers and practitioners to share findings and best practices. In 2021, we are adding an online webinar series to advance our mission.

In 2007, Dr. Sinclair led STR to the signing of a contract with publisher Taylor and Francis and the launch of STR’s flagship journal Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression. BSTPA’s focus is on research and theory addressing the causes and effects of terrorist activity from a behavioral science perspective. Under the leadership of Rachel Monaghan and Lyndsey Harris as co-editors, in 2019 BSTPA was ranked as a Q1 journal for Political Science and International Relations and Sociology and Political Science by Scimago.

In 2007, in collaboration with Coloquios Internationales sobre Cerebro y Agresión (CICA), Tali Walters organized STR’s first annual International Conference in Madrid, Spain. Over the years, participation in the annual STR conference has become an important event in the academic cycle of most researchers, practitioners, and students in the field of terrorism and security studies. In 2016 Lyndsey Harris organized the first annual Postgraduate Conference at University of Nottingham, England. Each year, one postgraduate student is awarded the Best Student Paper Prize, a coveted award contributing to future career success. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 conferences were postponed.

STR Presidents

Alice LoCicero (2006 – 2007)

Samuel Justin Sinclair (2007 – 2010)

Tali K. Walters (2010 – 2014)

Rachel Monaghan (2014 – present)

International Multi-Disciplinary Conferences

2007 – Madrid, Spain

2008 – Zokopane, Poland

2009 – Belfast, Northern Ireland

2010 – Cartegena, Columbia

2011 – Los Angeles, USA

2012 – Burgas, Bulgaria

2013 – London, England

2014 – Boston, USA

2015 – Birmingham, England

2016 – The Hague, The Netherlands

2017 – New York City, USA

2018 – Liverpool, England

2019 – Oslo, Norway

2022 - Coventry, England

2023 - Lisbon, Portugal

2024 - Oklahoma City, USA

Postgraduate Conferences

2016 – University of Nottingham, England

2017 – Ulster University, Northern Ireland

2018 – Swansea University, Wales

2019 – Coventry University, England

2021 – De Montfort University, England

2022 - Staffordshire University, England

2023 - University of the West of England Bristol, England

2024 - Dublin City University, Ireland

Winners of the Best Student Paper Prize

2013 Hugo Rosemont: ‘Private sector engagement in the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy: a new agenda,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2014, Vol. 6(2), pp. 147-161.

2014 Kate Barrelle: ‘Pro-integration: disengagement from and life after extremism,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2015, Vol. 7(2), pp. 129-142.

2015 Giorgio Del Vecchio: ‘Political violence as shared terrain of militancy: Red Brigades, social movements and the discourse on arms in the early Seventies,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2016, Vol. 8(3), pp. 212-226.

2016 Noreen Josefa van Elk: ‘Terrorism and the good life: toward a virtue-ethical framework for morally assessing terrorism and counter-terrorism,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2017, Vol. 9(2), pp. 139-152.

2017 Paige V. Pascarelli: ‘Identities ‘Betwixt and between’: analyzing Belgian representation in ‘homegrown’ extremism,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2018, Vol. 10(3), pp. 225-248.

2018 Simon Copeland: ‘Telling stories of terrorism: a framework for applying narrative approaches to the study of militant's self-accounts,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2019, Vol. 11(3), pp. 232-253.

2019 Philipp Hirsch: ‘Politics as counterterrorism: the role of diplomacy in the West German response to Palestinian terror, 1970–75,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2020, Vol. 12(3), pp. 186-202.

2021 Annelotte Janse: ‘From Letters to Bombs across Borders. Transnational Ties of West German Right-Wing Extremists, 1972-1978,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2022, Vol 14(2), pp. 241-258.

2022 Alice Siggery (with Daniel Hunt & Calli Tzani): ‘Language Profile of Lone Actor Terrorist Manifestos: A Mixed Methods Analysis,’ published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2023, Vol. 15(3), pp. 390-408.

2023 Morgan Hickman: 'Protagonists of Terror: The Role of Ludology and Narrative in Conceptualising Extremist Violence,' published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2024, Vol. 16(3), pp. 428-444.

2024 William Arnold: 'Liberatory or Predatory? Gendered Perspectives on the Role of Women in the Weather Underground,' will be published in Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, 2025.