Professor Andrew Silke (BSc Hons, AFBPsS, CSci, CPsych, PhD) holds a Chair in Criminology at the University of East London where he is the Field Leader for Criminology, and the Programme Director for Terrorism Studies. He has a background in forensic psychology and criminology and has worked both in academia and for government. Professor Silke has published extensively on issues to do with terrorism, conflict, crime and policing in journals, books and the popular press. He is the author of over 100 articles and papers on these subjects and has given numerous talks and invited lectures at conferences and universities across the world.

He has worked with a variety of government departments and law enforcement and security agencies. In the United Kingdom these include, the Home Office, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Defence, the UK prison service, the London Metropolitan Police as well as several other UK police forces. Overseas he has worked with the United Nations, the United States Department of Justice, the United States Department of Homeland Security, NATO, the European Defence Agency, the European Commission, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Professor Silke serves by invitation on the United Nations Roster of Terrorism Experts and the European Commission’s European Network of Experts on Radicalisation and formerly on the European Commission’s Expert Group on Violent Radicalisation. He has provided research advice to both the Royal Society in the UK and the National Academy of Sciences in the US. He has provided invited briefings on terrorism-related issues to Select Committees of the House of Commons and was appointed in 2009 as a Specialist Advisor to the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Committee for its inquiry into the Government's programme for preventing violent extremism. In 2010 he gave invited oral testimony before the Canadian Special Senate Committee on Anti-terrorism. He is a member of the International Association for Counter-terrorism and Security Professionals. He sits on the British Psychological Society’s working group on the Psychological Risk Assessment of those Convicted or Detained under Terrorist Related Offences, and has provided expert advice and testimony in many terrorism-related cases. His work has taken him to Northern Ireland, the Middle East and Latin America.

Professor Silke's reputation has made him a regular contributor to debates within the media, particularly on issues relating to terrorism, crime and psychology. His work has also been the focus of a number of television documentaries primarily relating to terrorism, the psychology of conflict, and the psychology of crisis situations.

• Field Leader for Criminology
• Programme Leader for Terrorism Studies

• BA Criminology and Criminal Justice
• MSc Terrorism Studies

• Crime and Social History
• Psychological Criminology
• Terrorism Studies
• Critical Perspectives on Terrorism
• Critical Perspectives on Counter-terrorism
• Postgraduate Dissertation

Professor Silke is interested in supervising PhDs in areas focusing on terrorism and political conflict, the psychology of critical incidents, criminal investigation and forensic psychology. Interested candidates are invited to contact Professor Silke to discuss potential research. Candidates should please note that PhDs at the University of East London normally involve some attendance at classes, particularly in the first year of studies.

Publications since 2000

Books

• Silke, A. (Ed.). (2011). The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism. London: Routledge. 

  • Review                                                                                                                                                       

• Richards, A., Fussey, P. and Silke, A. (Eds.). (2011). Terrorism and the Olympics. London: Routledge. 

• Chen, H., Reid, E., Sinai, J., Silke, A. and Ganor, B. (Eds.). (2008). Terrorism Informatics: Knowledge Management and Data Mining for Homeland Security. New York: Springer.

• Silke, A. (Ed.). (2004). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures. London : Frank Cass.

• Silke, A. (Ed.). (2003). Terrorists, Victims and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences. Chichester : Wiley.

Book Chapters

• Silke, A. (in press). ‘The Internet & Terrorist Radicalisation: The Psychological Dimension.’ In Dienel, H., Sharan, Y., Rapp, C. and Ahituv, N. (Eds.). Terrorism and the Internet: Threats, Target groups, Deradicalisation strategies. Amsterdam: IOS Press.
• Silke, A. (in press). ‘The Psychology of Counterterrorism: Critical issues and Challenges.’ In Andrew Silke (Ed.). The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
• Browne, D. and Silke, A. (in press). ‘The Impact of the Media on Terrorism and Counterterrorism’. In Andrew Silke (Ed.). The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
• Silke, A. (in press). ‘Terrorists in Prison: Psychological Issues in management and reform.’ In Andrew Silke (Ed.). The Psychology of Counter-Terrorism. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
• Silke, A. (2009). ‘Contemporary Terrorism Studies: Issues in Research.’ In Jackson, R., Smyth, M.B. and Gunning, J. (Eds.) Critical Terrorism Studies: A New Research Agenda, pp.34-48. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge.
• Silke, A. (2009). ‘Cheshire-Cat Logic: The recurring theme of terrorist abnormality in psychological research’ In Jeff Victoroff and Arie W Kruglanski (Eds). Psychology of Terrorism: Classic and Contemporary Insights, pp.95-108. New York: Psychology Press.
• Silke, A. (2008). ‘Research on Terrorism: A Review of the Impact of 9/11 and the Global War on Terrorism.’ In Chen, H., Reid, E., Sinai, J., Silke, A. and Ganor, B. (Eds.) Terrorism Informatics: Knowledge Management and Data Mining for Homeland Security, pp.27-50. New York: Springer.
• Silke, A. (2008). ‘Children, terrorism and counter-terrorism: Lessons in policy & practice’. In M. Ranstorp and P. Wilkinson (Eds.). Terrorism and Human Rights. London: Routledge.
• O’Leary, B. and Silke, A. (2007). ‘Understanding and Ending Persistent Conflicts: Bridging Research and Policy.’ In M. Heiberg, B. O’Leary and J. Tirman (Eds). Terror, Insurgency, and the State: Ending Protracted Conflicts, pp.387-426. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Silke, A. (2007). ‘The Impact of 9/11 on Research on Terrorism.’ In M. Ranstorp (Ed.) Mapping Terrorism Research: State of The Art, Gaps and Future Direction, pp.76-93. London: Routledge.
• Brandon, S. and Silke, A. (2007). ‘Near- and long-term psychological effects of exposure to terrorist attacks.’ In Bongar, B., Brown, L., Beutler, L., Breckenridge, J. and Zimbardo, P. (Eds.) Psychology of Terrorism, pp.175-193. Oxford University Press.
• Silke, A. (2005). ‘Fire of Iolus: The role of state countermeasures in causing terrorism and what needs to be done’. In Tore Bjorgo (Ed.) Root Causes of Terrorism., pp.241-255. Oxford: Routledge.
• Silke, A. (2004). ‘Terrorism and the blind men’s elephant.’ In Alan O’Day (Ed.) Dimensions of Terrorism, pp.241-257. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate.
• Silke, A. (2004). ‘An Introduction to Research on Terrorism.' In Silke, A. (Ed.). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures, pp.1-29. London : Frank Cass.
• Silke, A. (2004). ‘The Road Less Travelled: Trends in Terrorism Research.' In Silke, A. (Ed.). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures, pp.186-213. London : Frank Cass.
• Silke, A. (2004). ‘The Devil You Know: Continuing Problems with Research on Terrorism.' In Silke, A. (Ed.). Research on Terrorism: Trends, Achievements and Failures, pp.57-71. London : Frank Cass.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Irish Republican Army.' In P. Knight, (Ed.), Conspiracy Theories in American History: An Encyclopedia, pp.353-354. Santa Barbara , CA : ABC-CLIO.
• Silke, A (2003). ‘Fire of Iolaus: The role of state counter-measures in causing terrorism and what needs to be done.' In T. Bjorgo, (Ed.). Root Causes of Terrorism: Proceedings from an International Expert meeting in Oslo , 9-11 June 2003, pp.179-193. Oslo : Norwegian Institute of International Affairs.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Preface.' In A. Silke, (Ed.). Terrorists, Victims and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences, pp.xv-xxi. Chichester : Wiley.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Becoming a Terrorist.' In A. Silke, (Ed.). Terrorists, Victims and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences, pp.29-53. Chichester : Wiley.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘The Psychology of Suicidal Terrorism.' In A. Silke, (Ed.). Terrorists, Victims and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences, pp.93-108. Chichester : Wiley.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Retaliating against terrorism.' In A. Silke, (Ed.). Terrorists, Victims and Society: Psychological Perspectives on Terrorism and Its Consequences, pp.215-231. Chichester : Wiley.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘The Psychological Impact of Terrorism: Lessons from the UK Experience.' In D. Das and P. Kratcoski, (Eds.), Meeting the Challenges of Global Terrorism: Prevention, Control, and Recovery, pp.189-202. Lanham , MD. : Lexington Books.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘Chasing Ghosts: Offender profiling and terrorism.' In D. Farrington, C. Hollin, and M. McMurran, (Eds.). Sex and Violence: The Psychology of Crime and Risk Assessment. London : Harwood. pp.242-258

Articles

• Silke, A. (2010). ‘Ebbing Tide: The Battle for Hearts and Minds in the UK.’ RUSI Monitor, Vol. 9, No. 1, pp.1-3.
• Silke, A. (2008). ‘Holy Warriors: Exploring the Psychological Processes of Jihadi Radicalisation.’ European Journal of Criminology, 5/1, pp.99-123.
• Silke, A. (2008). ‘Target-hardening and Terrorism: Challenges and Risks.’ Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, 14/2, pp.26-28.
• Silke, A. (2008). ‘How to spot terrorist surveillance.’ Police Review, 116/5973, pp.28-29.
• Silke, A. (2007). ‘Risk Assessment of Terrorist Prisoners.’ Forensic Update, 92, p.19.
• Silke, A. (2007). ‘The Psychological Impact of the Continued Terrorist Threat.’ National Strategy Forum Review, 17/1, pp.13-16.
• Silke, A. (2007). ‘Looking on.’ Police Review, 115/5936 , pp.24-25.
• Silke, A. (2006). ‘The Role of Suicide in Politics, Conflict and Terrorism.’ Terrorism and Political Violence, 18/1, pp.35-46.
• Silke, A. (2006). ‘The psychology of terrorism.’ Science and Public Affairs, June, pp.14-15.
• Silke, A. (2005). ‘Success & Failure in Terrorist Investigations: Research and lessons from Northern Ireland.’ Low Intensity Conflict and Law Enforcement, 13/3, pp.250-261.
  Silke, A. (2005). ‘Children, terrorism and counter-terrorism: Lessons in policy & practice’. Terrorism and Political Violence, 17/1-2, pp.201-213.
• Silke, A. (2005). ‘Terrorist Threats to the UK Homeland: 7/7 and Beyond’.Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International.
• Silke, A. (2004) ‘Terrorism, 9/11 and Psychology.' The Psychologist, 17, pp.518-521.
• Silke, A. (2004) ‘Courage in Dark Places: Reflections on Terrorist Psychology'. Social Research, 71/1, pp.177-198.
• Silke, A. (2003) ‘Deindividuation, anonymity and violence: Findings from Northern Ireland '. Journal of Social Psychology, 143/4, pp.493-499.
• Silke, A. (2003) ‘Beyond Horror: Terrorist Atrocity and the Search for Understanding – The Case of the Shankill Bombing'. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 26/1, pp.37-60.
• Demetriou, C. and Silke, A. (2003) ‘A criminological internet ‘sting': Experimental evidence of illegal and deviant visits to a website trap.' The British Journal of Criminology, 43, pp.213-222.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Profiling terror.' Police Review, 111/5737 , pp.18-20.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘The psychological cost of terrorism.' Forensic Update, 72, pp.23-29.
• Silke, A. (2003). ‘Unsolved mysteries.' Police Review, 111/5716, pp.20-21.
• Silke, A. (2002). ‘Understanding terrorism.' Psychology Review, 9/1, pp.17-19.
• Silke, A. (2002). ‘Hunting Terror: Using Offender Profiling to Catch Terrorists'. Journal of Counterterrorism and Homeland Security International, 8/2, pp.28-30.
• Silke, A. (2002). ‘The psychological cost of terrorism.' The Bulletin of the International Society for Research on Aggression, 24/2, pp.14-18.
• Silke, A. (2002). ‘Striking Back at Terrorism: Lessons from History.' Journal of Counterterrorism and Security International, 8/1, pp.12-14.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘The Devil You Know: Continuing Problems with Research on Terrorism.' Terrorism and Political Violence, 13/4, pp.1-14.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘Terrorism: An Action Plan.' The Psychologist, 14/11, pp.580-581.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘When Sums go Bad: Mathematical Models and Hostage Situations.' Terrorism and Political Violence, 13/2, pp.49-66.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘Behind the Masks.' Police Review, 109/5640, pp.20-21.
• Silke, A. (2001). ‘Dealing with Vigilantism: Issues and lessons for the police.' The Police Journal, 74, pp.120-133.
• Silke, A. and Taylor , M. (2000). ‘War Without End: IRA and Loyalist Vigilantism in Northern Ireland .' Howard Journal of Criminal Justice, 39/3, pp.249-266.
• Silke, A. (2000). ‘Drink, Drugs and Rock'n'Roll: Financing Loyalist Terrorism in Northern Ireland - Part Two.' Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, 23/2, pp.107-127.
• Silke, A. (2000). ‘Bitter Harvests: The Royal Ulster Constabulary's Response to Paramilitary Vigilantism in Northern Ireland .' Low Intensity Conflict & Law Enforcement, 9/2, pp.27-46.
• Silke, A. (2000). ‘ Beating the Water: The Terrorist Search for Power, Control and Authority.' Terrorism and Political Violence, 12/2, pp.76-96.
• Silke, A. (2000). ‘Acts of Sacrifice: Exploring the Impact of Paramilitary Vigilantism on Victims and Communities in Northern Ireland .' International Journal of Human Rights, 4/1, pp.1-24.
• Silke, A. (2000). ‘Profiling Terrorists: Lessons from the Unabomber Case.' Forensic Update, 61, pp.27-32.