Terrorism Research Center (TRC) is a research and development unit operating within the organizational structures of Collegium Civitas. It is named after its longtime Director Dr. Krzysztof Liedel outstanding academic teacher and leading expert in security issues who passed away 2021.

The Center gathers scientists and experts involved in terrorism in the context of their scientific specialties. It is a platform for exchanging views, opinions, research results and experiences of people who look at the phenomenon of terrorism through the prism of international relations, sociology, psychology, martial art, internal and international law, political science, banking, finance, economics, anthropology, cultural studies and all fields, which can contribute to increasing the amount of our knowledge about terrorism and the possibilities of counteracting it.

Experts from TRC conduct research related to international terrorism and prepare analyzes, among others on behalf of government administration bodies – their results are used by decision-makers involved in planning activities in the field of counteracting threats to public safety and order. The Center also prepares threat and risk analyzes for non-governmental and private institutions.

The scope of TRC activities also includes the organization of conferences, seminars and meetings with the participation of experts, researchers or politicians.

The Center’s interests include, among others, the following issues: 

• defining terrorist threats, 
• the evolution of modern terrorism, 
• psychology of terrorism, 
• sociological aspects of terrorism, 
• counteracting terrorism, 
• tools to combat terrorism, 
• risk assessment and analysis, 
• legal basis for combating terrorism, 
• human rights in the context of combating terrorism, 
• issues related to mass media, 
• international cooperation in combating terrorism. 

The Terrorism Research Center is a research unit that conducts research and prepares analyses, among other things, at the request of public administration. Their results are used by decision makers involved in planning activities to address threats to security and public order. The Center also prepares threat and risk analyses for NGOs and private companies. Among the entities for which the Center has previously implemented such projects are:

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: preparation of terrorist threat analysis in different regions of the world,
• Industrial Institute of Automation and Measurements: expert seminar for the PROTEUS program (integrated mobile anti-terrorism and anti-crisis support system);
• Ministry of National Education: implementation of crisis response training due to terrorist attack,
• The Stock Exchange: training in the area of reaction to the “active shooter” scenario,
• EDF Polska: training on the implementation of the provisions of the Anti-Terrorism Act in the plans for protection of objects subject to compulsory protection.

The Center’s activities take in various forms: from conferences, seminars, training sessions and workshops, organising meetings with invited experts, researchers and politicians, up to publishing research results.

The center’s research concept includes involvement of experts dealing with diverse aspects of terrorism and its combating research (international relations, sociology, psychology, warfare, internal and international law and political science, banking, finance, economics, anthropology and cultural studies). Such organisation of research process allows for a truly interdisciplinary perspective on this remarkably dynamic and a complex phenomenon that must be tackled on many levels using all the tools that can increase the security of states and their citizens.

Forms of activity:

• research programs,
• analysis,
• scientific conferences, symposia, seminars,
• 1st and 2nd-degree studies, post-degree studies,
• training, courses and workshops,
• publications.

SECURITY AND SOCIETY IN THE INFORMATION AGE

In 2018 Terrorism Research Center launched a summer internship program. The internships are aligned with the Summer School Program at Collegium Civitas. The interns are working on their own research projects under academic supervision by TRC experts. The main thematic focus of the internship is the shifting paradigm of security. The students work on topics that cover various security challenges: information warfare, security in the post-truth world, cybersecurity, the role of education in countering terrorism, the media in the strategies of terrorist organizations, prevention of mass shootings and active shooter situations, radicalization and recruitment to terrorist organizations in the Information Age and more.

In result of the internship programs (2018, 2019, 2020, 2021) books entitled “Security and Society in the Information Age” (vol. 1, vol. 2, vol. 3 and vol. 4) were published, containing papers on security issues written by the interns – the books are available in PDF format:

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 1

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 2

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 3

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 4

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 5

Security and Society in the Information Age Vol. 6

PROGRAM “EVERYBODY IS AN ASSET IN ANTI-TERRORISM SYSTEM”

Implementation of the internal research project “Everybody is an asset in the anti-terrorism system” is an essential aspect of the current activities of the Terrorism Studies Center.

The creation of the program is linked to the Center’s growing conviction that without the involvement and the potential of individual citizens, the fight against terrorism is impossible. The idea behind the project is that everyone can contribute to counteracting terrorist threats – provided that they receive proper tools in the form of knowledge, skills and attitude.

This development of mechanisms for transmitting such tools is the overarching purpose of the program. It is implemented through research regarding opportunities for training and development of the knowledge and skills of citizens, officers and employees of security services and institutions and those responsible for private sector security.

Implementation of the program is focused mainly on the development of training models and ways of their realisation within the organisation in a way that allows transferring as much knowledge and skills as possible.

The management of the Center:

Director – Dr. Paulina Piasecka

Deputy Director – Mr. Andrzej Mroczek

Center Secretary – Mrs. Katarzyna Dąbrowska

Scientific Council

Partners

In carrying out its tasks, the Center cooperates with:

Center for International Relations,

Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies.

Krzysztof Liedel Terrorism Research Center, Collegium Civitas

e-mail: cbnt@civitas.edu.pl
Pałac Kultury i Nauki, XII piętro
plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa

Dr. Paulina Piasecka

e-mail: paulina.piasecka@civitas.edu.pl