Dr John Morrison
Biography
Dr. John Morrison is an Assistant Professor in Criminology in the School of Law and Criminology. Prior to joining Maynooth, John worked in Royal Holloway, University of London, University of East London and Pennsylvania State University. John holds a PhD in International Relations (University of St Andrews), an MA in Forensic Psychology (University College Cork), and a BA in Psychology (University College Dublin).
John's research focuses on terrorist decision making processes. Within this he looks at splits in terrorist organisations, disengagement, radicalisation, expert novice differences, terrorist risk and the role of trust in terrorist involvement. John's research has been funded by research bodies in the UK and the US, including the ESRC and the Minerva Research Initiative.
John is Associate Editor of two leading Terrorism Studies Journals, Perspectives on Terrorism, and Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, and is on the Editorial Board of Terrorism and Political Violence. John is an Associate Fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism and a member of the advisory board for the Society for Terrorism Research. He is also the host of the Talking Terror podcast. On the podcast he interviews leading experts in terrorism and counter-terrorism studies.
During his academic career John has held a range of administrative roles. Within Royal Holloway he was the programme lead for the BSc in Criminology and Psychology (2018-2020), Undergraduate Education Lead for the Department of Law and Criminology (2019-2022) and the programme lead for the MSc in Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies (2019-2022). At the University of East London he was the Programme Lead for the BA in Criminology and Psychology (2014-2018), and the Chair of the Department of Law and Criminology's Ethics panel (2014-2018). At Maynooth University he sits on the School of Law and Criminology Research Committee. He was also the founding director of two separate research centres: The Terrorism and Extremism Research Centre (University of East London) and the Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Centre (Royal Holloway).
John lectures on the psychology of terrorism, introductory criminology, and theoretical criminology.
John is interested in supervising doctoral students in the area of psychology of terrorism.
John's research focuses on terrorist decision making processes. Within this he looks at splits in terrorist organisations, disengagement, radicalisation, expert novice differences, terrorist risk and the role of trust in terrorist involvement. John's research has been funded by research bodies in the UK and the US, including the ESRC and the Minerva Research Initiative.
John is Associate Editor of two leading Terrorism Studies Journals, Perspectives on Terrorism, and Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression, and is on the Editorial Board of Terrorism and Political Violence. John is an Associate Fellow at the International Centre for Counter-Terrorism and a member of the advisory board for the Society for Terrorism Research. He is also the host of the Talking Terror podcast. On the podcast he interviews leading experts in terrorism and counter-terrorism studies.
During his academic career John has held a range of administrative roles. Within Royal Holloway he was the programme lead for the BSc in Criminology and Psychology (2018-2020), Undergraduate Education Lead for the Department of Law and Criminology (2019-2022) and the programme lead for the MSc in Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies (2019-2022). At the University of East London he was the Programme Lead for the BA in Criminology and Psychology (2014-2018), and the Chair of the Department of Law and Criminology's Ethics panel (2014-2018). At Maynooth University he sits on the School of Law and Criminology Research Committee. He was also the founding director of two separate research centres: The Terrorism and Extremism Research Centre (University of East London) and the Conflict, Violence and Terrorism Research Centre (Royal Holloway).
John lectures on the psychology of terrorism, introductory criminology, and theoretical criminology.
John is interested in supervising doctoral students in the area of psychology of terrorism.
Research Interests
John's research focuses on terrorist decision making processes. Within this he looks at splits in terrorist organisations, disengagement, radicalisation, expert novice differences, terrorist risk and the role of trust in terrorist involvement. John's research has been funded by research bodies in the UK and the US, including the ESRC and the Minerva Research Initiative. The award sums presented below outline the award related to John Morrison's individual contribution, and does not necessarily reflect the overall funding for any individual project.
Research Projects
Book
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Morrison, John F. (2013) The Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organisational Splits. New York: Bloomsbury. [Link] |
Edited Journal Issue
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Silke, A. and Morrison, J. (2022) Terrorism and Political Violence Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism. [Edited Journal Issue] [Link] | |
| 2022 | David A Winter; John Morrison; Kees van den Bos (2022) Radicalization and deradicalization: Processes and contexts. [Edited Journal Issue] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, J.F. and Gill, P. (2016) Terrorism and Political Violence Special Issue: 100 Years of Irish Republican Violence: 1916-2016.i. [Edited Journal Issue] [Link] |
Edited Book
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Frumkin, Lara; Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew (Ed.). (2023) A Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies. London: Edward Elgar, [Link] | |
| 2018 | Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew (Ed.). (2018) Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism. Oxon: Routledge, [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F.; Gill, Paul (Ed.). (2016) 100 Years of Irish Republican Violence: 1916-2016. Oxon: Routledge, [Link] |
Peer Reviewed Journal
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | John F. Morrison (2024) 'Community Legitimisation of Irish RepublicanParamilitarism in Belfast: A Criminological Understanding'. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, . [Link] https://doi.org/10.1080/1057610X.2024.2423819 | |
| 2024 | Anthony Richards; John Morrison (2024) 'Terrorism, Extremism and the 'Grey Area' in Between: Towards a Strategic Conceptual Model of Response in the UK'. Perspectives on Terrorism, . | |
| 2024 | Morrison, J.F.; Silke, A.; Hanks, T. (2024) 'What drives the frequency of terrorist attacks? Thematic analysis of a rapid evidence assessment'. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict: Pathways toward Terrorism and Genocide, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2024 | Morrison, J.F. (2024) 'The Violence of Peace: Post Good Friday Agreement Paramilitary Vigilantism in Northern Ireland'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2024 | Munden, H.P.; Morrison, J. (2024) '“We had a lot of fun”: Psychological rewards of white supremacy group membership'. Political Psychology, . [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2022 | Silke, Andrew; Morrison, John F. (2022) 'Gathering Storm : An Introduction to the Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] [Full-Text] | |
| 2021 | Silke, Andrew; Morrison, John F.; Maiberg, Heidi; Slay, Chloe ; Stewart, Rebecca. (2021) 'The Phoenix Model of Disengagement and Deradicalisation from Terrorism and Violent Extremism'. Monatsschrift fur Kriminologie und Strafrechtsreform, . [Link] | |
| 2021 | Rose M.M.; Morrison J. (2021) 'An exploratory analysis of leakage warning behavior in lone-actor terrorists'. Behavioral Sciences Of Terrorism And Political Aggression, . [Link] [DOI] [Full-Text] | |
| 2021 | Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew; Bont, Eke (2021) 'The Development of the Framework for Research Ethics in Terrorism Studies (FRETS)'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] [Full-Text] | |
| 2021 | Marchment, Zoe; Frith, Michael; Morrison, John F.; Gill, Paul. (2021) 'A multi-level analysis of risky streets and neighbourhoods for dissident Republican violence in Belfast'. Isprs International Journal Of Geo-Information, . [Link] | |
| 2020 | Morrison, J.F. (2020) 'Reality Check: The Real IRA's Tactical Adaptation and Restraint in the Aftermath of the Omagh Bombing'. Perspectives on Terrorism, . [Link] | |
| 2020 | Morrison, John F. (2020) 'Talking Stagnation : Thematic Analysis of Terrorism Experts’ Perception of the Health of Terrorism Research'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] | |
| 2019 | Marchment, Zoe; Gill, Paul; Morrison, John F. (2019) 'Risk Factors for Violent Dissident Republican Incidents in Belfast : A Comparison of Bombings and Bomb Hoaxes'. Journal of Quantitative Criminology, . [Link] | |
| 2018 | Hourigan, Niamh; Morrison, John F.; Windle, James ; Silke, Andrew. (2018) 'Crime in Ireland north and south : Feuding gangs and profiteering paramilitaries'. Trends in Organized Crime, . [Link] | |
| 2018 | Braddock, Kurt; Morrison, John F. (2018) 'Cultivating Trust and Perceptions of Source Credibility in Online Counternarratives Intended to Reduce Support for Terrorism'. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, . [Link] | |
| 2018 | Busher, Joel; Morrison, John (2018) 'Micro-Moral Worlds of Contentious Politics : A Reconceptualization of Radical Groups And Their Intersections With One Another And The Mainstream'. Mobilization, . [Link] | |
| 2017 | Morrison J.F. (2017) 'Splitting to survive: understanding terrorist group fragmentation'. Journal Of Criminological Research, Policy And Practice, 3 (3):222-232. [Link] [DOI] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F. (2016) 'An Interview with Danny Morrison'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Copying to be Different : Violent Dissident Irish Republican Learning'. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, . [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Fighting Talk : The Statements of The IRA/New IRA'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F.; Gill, Paul. (2016) '100 Years of Irish Republican Violence'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John. F.; Horgan, John (2016) 'Reloading the Armalite? Victims and Targets of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism, 2007-2015'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] | |
| 2016 | Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Trust in me : Allegiance choices in a post-split terrorist movement'. Aggression and Violent Behavior, . [Link] | |
| 2011 | Horgan, John; Morrison, John, F. (2011) 'Here to Stay? The Rising Threat of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism'. Terrorism and Political Violence, . [Link] |
Book Chapter
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | John Morrison (2025) 'Ethical Challenges and Multi-Disciplinary Norms in Terrorism Studies' In: Explaining Extreme Belief and Behaviour. Oxford : Oxford University Press. | |
| 2025 | John Morrison (2025) 'Irish Republicanism from 1969 to 2024' In: A Companion to Northern Ireland Politics and Society. London : Peter Lang. | |
| 2023 | John F. Morrison, Eke Bont and Andrew Silke (2023) 'Ethics and Terrorism Research: The Rights, Safety and Vulnerability of Participant and Researcher' In: A Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies. Cheltenham, UK : Edward Elgar. | |
| 2023 | Andrew Silke, Lara A. Frumkin and John F. Morrison (2023) 'Contemplating a Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies' In: A Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies. Cheltenham, UK : Edward Elgar. | |
| 2022 | Morrison, John F. (2022) 'The Social Psychology of Radicalisation' In: Radicalization in Theory and Practice: Pathways to National Security in Western Europe. Michigan : Michigan University Press. | |
| 2018 | Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew. (2018) 'Introduction: Hawking the Historical Methods in Organised Crime and Terrorism Studies' In: Historical Perspectives on Organisational Crime and Terrorism. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2018 | Morrison, John F. (2018) 'The Provisional IRA' In: Routledge Handbook of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2018 | Morrison, John F. (2018) '1975 : The Truce that Changed the Troubles' In: Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2017 | Morrison, John F. (2017) 'The Trustworthy Terrorist : The Role of Trust in the Psychology of Terrorism' In: Victims and Perpetrators of Terrorism : Exploring Identities, Roles and Narratives. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2015 | Gill, Paul; Bouhana, Noemie; Morrison, John F. (2015) 'Individual Disengagement from Terrorist groups' In: Terrorism and Political Violence. London : SAGE. [Link] | |
| 2015 | Morrison, John F. (2015) 'Peace Comes Dropping Slow: The Case of Northern Ireland' In: Researching Terrorism, Peace and Conflict Studies. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2013 | Morrison, John. F.; Horgan, John (2013) 'Interior Rebellion: A History of Irish Republican Splitting' In: Divided We Stand: The Strategy and Psychology of Ireland's Dissident Terrorists. New York : Oxford University Press. [Link] | |
| 2013 | Morrison, John F. (2013) 'A Time to Think, A Time to Talk : Irish Republican Prisoners in the Northern Ireland Peace Process' In: Prisons, Terrorism and Extremism: Critical Issues in Management, Radicalisation and Reform. Oxon : Routledge. [Link] | |
| 2013 | Morrison, John F. (2013) 'The Psychology of Terrorism: Current Understanding and Vital Next Steps' In: The McGraw-Hill Homeland Security Handbook. New York : McGraw Hill. [Link] | |
| 2011 | Morrison, John F. (2011) 'Why Do People Become Dissident Irish Republicans?' In: Dissident Irish Republicanism. New York : Continuum. [Link] |
Radio Presentation
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | John Morrison (2015) Thinking Allowed: BBC Radio 4. [Radio Presentation] [Link] |
Thesis
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Morrison, J.F. (2010) 'The affirmation of Behan?' : an understanding of the politicisation process of the Provisional Irish Republican Movement through an organisational analysis of splits from 1969 to 1997. [Thesis] [Link] |
Published Report
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Morrison, John F. (2020) Analyzing Interviews with Terrorists. Resolve Network, . [Link] | |
| 2020 | Silke, Andrew; Morrison, John F. (2020) Re-Offending by released Terrorist Prisoners : Separating Hype from Reality. International Center for Counter-Terrorism: Policy Briefs, . [Link] | |
| 2017 | Morrison, John F. (2017) Transmitting Legitimacy and Victimhood : Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism. CREST Security Review, . [Link] | |
| 2021 | Morrison, J.F.; Silke, A.; Maiberg, H.; Slay, C.; Stewart, R. (2021) The Role of (Dis)Trust in Disengagement and Deradicalisation. CREST Security Review, . | |
| 2021 | Morrison, J.F.; Silke, A.; Maiberg, H.; Slay, C.; Stewart, R (2021) A Systematic Review of Post-2017 Research on Disengagement and Deradicalisation. Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats, . | |
| 2021 | Bouhana, N., Morrison, J.F., Lindekilde, L., and Alrajeh, D. (2021) The Social Ecology of Radicalisation: Final Report for Minerva Research Initiative. Minerva Research Initiative, . | |
| 2019 | Morrison, J.F.; Lynch, O.; Rekawek, K. (2019) From Criminals to Terrorists and Back? Quarterly Report Vol. 2: Great Britain and Ireland. Globsec, . | |
| 2019 | Rekawek, K.; Szucs, V.; Babikova, M.; Hamel, E.; Morrison, J.F.; Pisoiu, D.; Peschak, J.; Hardyns, W.; Snaphaan, T.; Dzekova, R.; Stoynova, N.; deFrance, O.; Saverot; Colomina, P.; Sirseloudi, M.,; Fotou, E.; Lynch, O.; Lombardi, M.; Giacolone, G.; Spagna, N.; Schuurman, B.; Reinares, F.; Garcia-Calvo, C.; Vicente, A.; Lolek, A. (2019) Who are the European Jihadis? Midterm Report. Globsec, . | |
| 2019 | Rekawek, K.; Szucs, V.; Babikova, M.; Hamel, E.; Morrison, J.F.; Pisoiu, D.; Peschak, J.; Hardyns, W; Snaphaan, T.; Dzhekova, R.; Stoynova, N.; de France, O.; Colomina, P.; Sireloudi, M.; Fotou, E.; Lynch, O.; Lombardi, M.; Spagna, N.; Schuurman, B.; Reinares, F.; Garcia-Calvo, C.; Vicente, A.; Lolek, A. (2019) European Jihad: Future of the Past? From Criminals to Terrorists and Back? Final Report. Globsec, . |
Conference Contribution
Newspaper Articles
| Year | Publication | |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Lynsey Black; John F Morrison; Joe Garrihy; Rhiannon Bandiera; Megan Coghlan; Claire Hamilton; Ian D Marder; Ciara Bracken-Roche; Etain Quigley; Kevin Wozniak (2024) A return to penal populism will fail Ireland, Irish Examiner. Cork: [Newspaper Articles] [Link] |
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2024) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.
Employment
Other Activities
Teaching Interests
John has over 10 years teaching and supervisory experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Within this time he has taught general criminology, research methods and terrorism specific modules. In 2019 he designed the MSc in Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism Studies at Royal Holloway, University of London
John is currently teaching on three modules at undergraduate level at Maynooth. They are:
John Morrison has previously supervised two doctoral students to completion, and is interested to hear from others interested in completing doctoral research under his supervision.
John is currently teaching on three modules at undergraduate level at Maynooth. They are:
- Psychology of Terrorism
- Introduction to Criminology
- Theoretical Criminology
John Morrison has previously supervised two doctoral students to completion, and is interested to hear from others interested in completing doctoral research under his supervision.