Terrorexpertise:University of St. Andrews

N.B. This page relates to the University of St. Andrews's terrorism related activities, a separate page deals with the University of St. Andrews in general.

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Paul Wilkinson joins St. Andrews

The study of terrorism at St. Andrews appears to have began when the University recruited the terrorologist Paul Wilkinson in 1989 from Aberdeen University. He was appointed Professor of International Relations and introduced two new courses, one of course in International Terrorism and another in Comparative Intelligence Systems. The Times called them 'the most controversial courses yet offered in British universities'. Wilkinson taught the terrorism course which was aimed at influencing future state and corporate personnel: "I would hope that our graduates would put their training to good use in government, industry, the armed forces, the Foreign Office or the law," Wilkinson told The Times. The Comparative Intelligence Systems course was headed by Myles Robertson, a Kremlinologist who planned the course over six months with the help of "former government people."

Seminar of experts on technology and terrorism

On 24-26 August 1992 St Andrews hosted a ‘seminar of experts on technology and terrorism’, organised and co-sponsored with the National Strategy Information Council (NSIC). Roy Godson, Tom Diaz and Eric Singer of NSIC chaired sessions which led to a volume of essays edited by Paul Wilkinson and Christop Harman published in 1993.

Long distance degree for the military

In 1993 The Scotsman reported that St Andrews was introducing a degree in defence studies, which would include environmental security, diplomacy, political economy and the study of terrorism. According to the article the degree was to be based on "distance learning and will be available to serving officers at RAF Leuchars initially. The course may be extended later to other bases throughout the UK...The course was suggested by staff at Leuchars and designed in cooperation with senior RAF officers, supported by development grants from the Centre for Continuing Education at the University." Paul Wilkinson told the paper: "With the ending of the Cold War we have been faced with a whole new set of problems and issues which keen and ambitious servicemen want to understand. Plus, there is a rundown of defence not only in Britain but in all the NATO countries so many of these officers are preparing for civilian life and they feel that a higher degree would be useful in civvy street."

Bruce Hoffman and CSTPV

In 1994 Wilkinson was appointed head of the University's School of History and International Relations. Wilkinson recruited RAND terrorism analyst Bruce Hoffman, who was appointed Chairman of the School. Together they founded the Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence. Hoffman became director of the new Centre, whilst Wilkinson was appointed chairman. Another key figure in the group was Magnus Ranstorp, who was studying a PhD on hostage taking in Lebanon at the time the Centre was founded.

CSTPV was originally based at premises at 188 North Street, which according to Alex Schmid were "hardly more luxurious than those in Bin Laden’s presumed cave." Lord Carlile referred to Wilkinson as working out of an "interesting attic office", presumably in the same premises. When he had important visitors Wilkinson would "receive them at a more stately place in the University."

To broaden its resource and manpower, CSTPV set up an E-learning programme to generate some steady income and to become less dependent on research council grants and other externally funded project-based research.