Call for Papers

International Conference on Interdisciplinary Terrorism and Extremism Studies in Europe, Asia and Africa (ICITES)

24th – 26th January 2025

Organized by University of Vienna & University of Indonesia in cooperation with University of Lagos

Global and Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Terrorism and Extremism:

Understanding and Addressing the Evolving Threat Spectrum

In today’s global landscape, terrorism remains one of the most significant and pervasive threats to international security. The fight against terrorism and extremism, along with related measures, has been predominantly perceived as a security issue and has not received sufficient attention in academic research. The phenomenon of global terrorism has evolved to encompass a broad spectrum of threats that transcend national borders, political ideologies, and cultural boundaries. This evolution necessitates a comprehensive and multi-layered approach to understanding and combating the myriad forms of terrorism. Increasingly, this challenge is being recognized as a field of scientific research at various universities and research institutes beyond the traditional security sector.

Terrorism and extremism are threats closely intertwined with critical security research, state security, and both national and international security within the global context. Security research is not solely an academic pursuit but is inherently connected to society, politics, and the economy. Critical security studies focus on various perspectives and policies concerning security. A central question in this research field is how extremist and terrorist groups and ideologies pose dangers to society, politics, and the state. Therefore, the rise of right-wing and Islamist organizations and movements in Europe is not only a matter of security policy but also of social policy. In 2019, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) warned German companies about threats posed by political and religious extremism – both as an indirect threat to Germany’s economic landscape and as a direct threat involving the radicalization of employees within companies.

Hence, the International Conference on Interdisciplinary Terrorism and Extremism Studies (ICITES), organized by the University of Vienna in collaboration with the University of Indonesia and the University of Lahore, aims to provide a platform for experts, policymakers, security professionals, academics, researchers, and other stakeholders to engage in meaningful dialogue and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange. The conference seeks to address not only religious and theological aspects but also broader questions related to terrorism and extremism, such as: Is terrorism purely a security and political threat? How does terrorism arise? How is it perceived? How does it affect society? How can it be prevented and contained? Which backgrounds motivate young people to violence and destruction, which networks, weapons and financial interests promote the spread of terror in the world? What measures do the affected states take in response to this danger and the associated consequences for their countries?

In addressing these questions, the conference integrates theories and perspectives from various academic disciplines and presents diverse approaches to understanding terrorism and extremism. ICITES will lay a solid foundation for advancing research in terrorism and extremism.

 

The sub-themes include but are not limited to:

  • 5

    Understanding Terrorism: Exploring the operational strategies and historical manifestations of terrorism in past and present.

    • To what extent differences in understanding the phenomena create disparity in the policy and regulations? How does an effective strategy prevent and mitigate more actions in the future? Why terrorism existed in the history? For what purposes are extremism and terrorism conducted by actors?
  • 5

    Outlining global Terrorism and Extremism:

    • What specific tactics and techniques do terrorists employ? What are the overarching strategies and dynamics involved? How do non-state actors strategize, and how do states respond to terrorism? This topic emphasizes the analysis of prominent ideological manifestations like right-wing and Islamist terrorism, exploring their unique characteristics in depth.
  • 5

    Religious-motivated Terror Actions and Extreme Ideological Organizations.

    • This sub-theme emphasizes on actions happened in many countries of Europe, Asia, and Africa which orchestrated by extreme Islamist organizations or single action/lone-wolf phenomena to create arbitrary terror in systematic and unplanned actions. How scientific evidence segregate religion and religious-motivated terror actions? When was it started and becoming global phenomena? Does political violence contribute to the creation of extreme ideological organizations?
  • 5

    Cyber Terrorism and Security

    • Rapid digital development has made disruption age and pushed countries to enter industrial revolution 4.0 that also extend the reach of security issues into virtual world. Big data and data security are undergoing continuous threat from the hacker that intended to propagate the terror message in cyber medias.
    • To what extent do European, Asian, and African countries manage to defend themselves against cyber-terrorism? What kind of regulations need to be implemented to ensure the security of big data? How can vital virtual assets be defined and a secure ecosystem for the cyber world be created in certain countries/regions? What mechanisms need to be applied to the system?
  • 5

    Causes of Radicalization, Deradicalization, Repatriation and Reintegration:

    • This sub-theme will address how terrorism arises and perpetuates itself: How does the readiness to use violence develop in various systems (socioeconomic classes, religious groups, diaspora communities, etc.)? How do terrorists seek to promote this readiness through propaganda? In addition to structural dynamics, there will be a particular emphasis on discussing psychological factors that influence individual processes of radicalization. Also, global trend on former ISIS member’s repatriation to their own countries.
  • 5

    Perception and Impact of Terrorism and Extremism in Society, State and Politic:

    • This topic will explore how society responds to terrorism, addressing both descriptive and normative aspects. What impact does the fear of terrorism have on society? Are democracies more vulnerable or resilient to terrorism?
    • The role of the media is crucial for understanding the impact of terrorism and for responsible discourse.
  • 5

    Countermeasures and Counterterrorism:

    • This topic examines a variety of measures aimed at preventing, stopping, or minimizing the impact of terrorist attacks. Thus, the discourse is promulgating counter-violent extremism in form of education, regulation, and common actions. It encompasses the efforts not only of different security agencies but also of emergency medicine, diplomacy, materials science, and public communication.
    • What roles do the police, intelligence services, and military play in counterterrorism? How can critical infrastructure be safeguarded? What challenges do medical professionals and psychotherapists encounter in the aftermath of attacks? How could we generate an international community resilience against terrorism? Are there cooperative possibilities for action and ways for international relations in preventing terrorism?
  • 5

    Gender-based Violent Extremism.

    • The mainstreaming gender involved in the violent-extremism phenomena. The terror and extreme actions are not monopolized by men, but it conducts by any genders, family, and minority groups who pursue political aims. What could be done to prevent and mitigate the gender-based violent-extremism? How the studies contribute to the reduction of family engagement in terror/extreme activities? Do government or civil society organization need to take part in private domain (family matter)?

Information on presentations and panel discussions:

Submissions for papers can also be made independently of panels. Please provide a tentative title and a brief abstract of approximately 500 words outlining the specific research question, theoretical and methodological approaches, and, if applicable, the data utilized. Papers that adopt an interdisciplinary and internationally comparative perspective are particularly encouraged.

Please submit your proposals by 30th August 2024 to referat.iits@univie.ac.at. The selection of papers will be completed by 15th September 2024, and full papers must be submitted by 15th November 2024. In cases where no full text is available by this deadline, the conference committee reserves the right to replace the paper with one from a reserve list. A diverse program committee will assist the organizers in evaluating the panel and presentation proposals received.

Proposals for 90-minute panels (each with three to a maximum of four short presentations, 20 minutes each) should include a preliminary title and a description of the panel topic (800 words), highlighting the innovative potential of the panel within the context of current research. Additionally, names, titles, and abstracts (250-300 words each) for each presentation should be included. The abstracts should outline the specific research question, the theoretical and methodological approach, and, if applicable, the data utilized.