State Cyberterrorism: A Contradiction in Terms?

This article explores findings from a global survey of the terrorism research community to explore whether states may be deemed capable of conducting cyberterrorism. The article begins with a brief review of recent literature on state terrorism, identifying empirical and analytical justifications for greater use of this concept. Following a discussion of our research methodology we make two arguments. First, that there exists considerable ‘expert’ support for the validity of the proposition that states can indeed engage in cyberterrorism. Second, that whether states are deemed capable of cyberterrorism has implications for subsidiary debates, including around the threat that cyberterrorism poses

The Cyberterrorism Threat: Findings from a Survey of Researchers

This article reports on a recent research project exploring academic perspectives on the threat posed by cyberterrorism. The project employed a survey method, which returned 118 responses from researchers working across 24 different countries. The article begins with a brief review of existing literature on this topic, distinguishing between those concerned by the imminent threat of cyberterrorism, and other, more sceptical, views. Following a discussion on method, the article's analysis section then details findings from three research questions: (i) Does cyberterrorism constitute a significant threat? If so, against whom or what?; (ii) Has a cyberterrorism attack ever taken place?’; and, (iii) What are the most effective countermeasures against cyberterrorism? Are there significant differences to more traditional forms of anti- or counter-terrorism? The article concludes by reflecting on areas of continuity and discontinuity between academic debate on cyberterrorism and on terrorism more broadly

Analogy and Authority in Cyberterrorism Discourse: An Analysis of Global News Media Coverage

This article explores constructions of cyberterrorism within the global news media between 2008 and 2013. It begins by arguing that the preoccupation with questions of definition, threat and response in academic literature on cyberterrorism is problematic, for two reasons. First, because it neglects the constitutivity of representations of cyberterrorism in the news media and beyond; and, second, because it prioritises policy-relevant research. To address this, the article provides a discursive analysis drawing on original empirical research into 31 news media outlets across the world. Although there is genuine heterogeneity in representations of cyberterrorism therein, we argue that constructions of this threat rely heavily on two strategies. First, appeals to authoritative or expert ‘witnesses’ and their institutional or epistemic credibility. And, second, generic or historical analogies, which help shape understanding of the likelihood and consequences of cyberterrorist attack. These strategies have particularly discursive importance, we argue, given the lack of readily available empirical examples of the ‘reality’ of cyberterroris

Is transition from paediatric to adult healthcare with a life-limiting condition associated with more unplanned hospital care?

Life-limiting conditions, which shorten or threaten to shorten life, are becoming increasingly prevalent among young people in England, attributed partly to longer survival. There are concerns about the transition from paediatric to adult healthcare.. Specialist paediatricians oversee childhood healthcare, with needed allied services provided continuously. A General Practitioner (GP) often coordinates adult healthcare; GPs may lack knowledge of the young person or condition. There can be provision gaps in allied services. Sometimes no equivalent adult service. These issues may lead to an increase in unplanned hospital care. Previous research is limited to a few more prevalent conditions and has used small, potentially unrepresentative, samples or used age to assign transition status, risking misclassification. I aimed to determine whether there is an association between transition from paediatric to adult healthcare and increased unplanned hospital care for young people with life-limiting conditions, to understand the nature of the population, including changing medical complexity and to explore the role of primary care. I used secondary data analyses of routinely collected healthcare data in England and a systematic review. My research was the first to analyse healthcare use across the transition using national data with transition point estimated for each individual, using a newly- developed method. I found the population of young people with life-limiting conditions transitioning to adult healthcare is growing in size and medical complexity, with more comorbidities and consultants of more different specialities involved. Evidence from previous studies was mixed and conflicting on changes in healthcare use at transition and there was a lack of UK studies. My research found unplanned hospital care increases for young people with life-limiting conditions after the transition and regular contact with the same GP is associated with reduced use of unplanned hospital care. The role of the GP should be considered in reforms to improve transition

Introduction to the Special Issue: Terrorist Online Propaganda and Radicalization

This is the introduction to issue 1 of volume 40 of Studies in Conflict & Terrorism, which was a special issue focused on terrorist online propaganda and radicalisation