Innovations and Advancements in Criminological Approaches to Terrorism and Violent Extremism

Scholarship on terrorism and violent extremism (T/VE) has exponentially grown in recent decades across disciplinary lines and, in recent years, incorporates more complex and sophisticated methodological and theoretical framings. Given the interdisciplinary nature of research in this space, there remains an ongoing hesitation amongst traditional criminologists about the role of terrorism research within the discipline – with some arguing that as a category of crime and delinquency, terrorism is a criminological topic, while others view it as more appropriate for another disciplinary lens or through the creation of a specified field (i.e., ‘terrorism studies’). Yet, many criminologists from across the world are contributing new perspectives and innovations to the study of terrorism and violent extremism. To highlight this important work, the journal commissioned a special issue on T/VE, featuring a diverse grouping of authors approaching the topic from a criminological framework spanning the globe, roles, and methodological traditions.