One can scarcely turn on the news or scroll through social media without coming across ‘terrorism’ in one form or another. Despite this ubiquity, or perhaps as a result of it, terrorism is a somewhat nebulous concept, and those who conduct research in the field of terrorism studies frequently grapple with various epistemological, methodological, and normative controversies. What counts as ‘terrorism,’ and is terrorism a new social phenomenon? To what extent are the processes and actors involved in terrorism distinct from those implicated in other human endeavors? How can we access terrorism and terrorists for study? Finally, what can and should be done to counter terrorism?

This forum, co-sponsored by the Faculty of Social Sciences, HKU Sociology, the Hong Kong Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences, and the French Centre for Research on Contemporary China will bring together several scholars who will present their research and produce reflections on these questions, while pointing towards the particular ways that social scientific perspectives can contribute to our understanding of terrorism. The speakers will draw on a wide array of expertise on subjects including apocalyptic cults, anti- radicalization policy, religious revival in China, and radical social movements that operate on the cusp of terror.

Speakers:

Mr Ali Rod Khadem, Harvard University

Mr Mohammed Turki Al-Sudairi, The University of Hong Kong

Professor Liang Yongjia, National University of Singapore

Dr Till Mostowlansky, National University of Singapore

Dr Paul Joosse, The University of Hong Kong

Registration:

Places are limited and you should register to attend the symposium.