Dr John Morrison

    Law

    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 and Postgraduate Research Committees. 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

      Project Role Funding Body / Program Description Start Date End Date Award (€)
    Factors Impacting Frequency of Terrorist Attacks in Britain Principal Investigator / Industry: MNC 01-AUG-22 30-APR-23 28982
    Disengagement and Desistance: A Systematic Review Principal Investigator / Non Commercial 01-FEB-20 30-SEP-20 66362
    From Criminals to Terrorists and Back Co-Investigator / Industry: MNC 01-SEP-17 01-SEP-19 19708
    "The Social Ecology of Radicalization: A Foundation for the Design of CVE Initiatives" Co-Investigator / Government State Bodies 01-OCT-16 01-SEP-19 97666
    The Violent Dissident Republican Project Project Manager / Government State Bodies 01-SEP-10 30-SEP-11 194831

    Books

      Year Publication
    2013 The Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organisational Splits.
    Morrison, John F. (2013) The Origins and Rise of Dissident Irish Republicanism: The Role and Impact of Organisational Splits. New York: Bloomsbury. [Details]

    Edited Journal Issue

      Year Publication
    2022 Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts.
    David Winter, John F. Morrison, Kees van den Bos (2022) Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts. Edited Journal Issue [Details]
    2022 Terrorism and Political Violence Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism.
    Silke, A. and Morrison, J. (2022) Terrorism and Political Violence Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism. Edited Journal Issue [Details]
    2016 Terrorism and Political Violence Special Issue: 100 Years of Irish Republican Violence: 1916-2016.i.
    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 [Details]

    Edited Books

      Year Publication
    2023 A Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies
    Frumkin, Lara; Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew (Ed.). (2023) A Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies London: Edward Elgar. [Details]
    2022 Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts
    David Winter, Kees van den Bos, John F. Morrison (Ed.). (2022) Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts London: Frontiers. [Details]
    2018 Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism
    Windle, James; Morrison, John F.; Winter, Aaron; Silke, Andrew (Ed.). (2018) Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism Oxon: Routledge. [Details]
    2016 100 Years of Irish Republican Violence: 1916-2016
    Morrison, John F.; Gill, Paul (Ed.). (2016) 100 Years of Irish Republican Violence: 1916-2016 Oxon: Routledge. [Details]

    Peer Reviewed Journals

      Year Publication
    2022 'Editorial: Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts'
    Winter, D; Morrison, J.F. and van den Bos (2022) 'Editorial: Radicalization and Deradicalization: Processes and Contexts'. Frontiers in Psychology, [Details]
    2022 'Gathering Storm : An Introduction to the Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism'
    Silke, Andrew; Morrison, John F. (2022) 'Gathering Storm : An Introduction to the Special Issue on Climate Change and Terrorism'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2021 'The Phoenix Model of Disengagement and Deradicalisation from Terrorism and Violent Extremism'
    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, [Details]
    2021 'An exploratory analysis of leakage warning behavior in lone-actor terrorists'
    Rose M.M.;Morrison J. (2021) 'An exploratory analysis of leakage warning behavior in lone-actor terrorists'. Behavioral Sciences Of Terrorism And Political Aggression, [DOI] [Details]
    2021 'The Development of the Framework for Research Ethics in Terrorism Studies (FRETS)'
    Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew; Bont, Eke (2021) 'The Development of the Framework for Research Ethics in Terrorism Studies (FRETS)'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2021 'A multi-level analysis of risky streets and neighbourhoods for dissident Republican violence in Belfast'
    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, [Details]
    2020 'Reality Check: The Real IRA's Tactical Adaptation and Restraint in the Aftermath of the Omagh Bombing'
    Morrison, J.F. (2020) 'Reality Check: The Real IRA's Tactical Adaptation and Restraint in the Aftermath of the Omagh Bombing'. Perspectives on Terrorism, [Details]
    2020 'Talking Stagnation : Thematic Analysis of Terrorism Experts’ Perception of the Health of Terrorism Research'
    Morrison, John F. (2020) 'Talking Stagnation : Thematic Analysis of Terrorism Experts’ Perception of the Health of Terrorism Research'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2019 'Risk Factors for Violent Dissident Republican Incidents in Belfast : A Comparison of Bombings and Bomb Hoaxes'
    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, [Details]
    2018 'Crime in Ireland north and south : Feuding gangs and profiteering paramilitaries'
    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, [Details]
    2018 'Cultivating Trust and Perceptions of Source Credibility in Online Counternarratives Intended to Reduce Support for Terrorism'
    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, [Details]
    2018 'Micro-Moral Worlds of Contentious Politics : A Reconceptualization of Radical Groups And Their Intersections With One Another And The Mainstream'
    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, [Details]
    2017 'Splitting to survive: understanding terrorist group fragmentation'
    Morrison J.F. (2017) 'Splitting to survive: understanding terrorist group fragmentation'. Journal Of Criminological Research, Policy And Practice, 3 (3):222-232 [DOI] [Details]
    2016 'An Interview with Danny Morrison'
    Morrison, John F. (2016) 'An Interview with Danny Morrison'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2016 'Copying to be Different : Violent Dissident Irish Republican Learning'
    Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Copying to be Different : Violent Dissident Irish Republican Learning'. Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, [Details]
    2016 'Fighting Talk : The Statements of The IRA/New IRA'
    Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Fighting Talk : The Statements of The IRA/New IRA'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2016 '100 Years of Irish Republican Violence'
    Morrison, John F.; Gill, Paul. (2016) '100 Years of Irish Republican Violence'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2016 'Reloading the Armalite? Victims and Targets of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism, 2007-2015'
    Morrison, John. F.; Horgan, John (2016) 'Reloading the Armalite? Victims and Targets of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism, 2007-2015'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]
    2016 'Trust in me : Allegiance choices in a post-split terrorist movement'
    Morrison, John F. (2016) 'Trust in me : Allegiance choices in a post-split terrorist movement'. Aggression and Violent Behavior, [Details]
    2011 'Here to Stay? The Rising Threat of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism'
    Horgan, John; Morrison, John, F. (2011) 'Here to Stay? The Rising Threat of Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism'. Terrorism and Political Violence, [Details]

    Book Chapters

      Year Publication
    2023 'Ethics and Terrorism Research: The Rights, Safety and Vulnerability of Participant and Researcher'
    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. [Details]
    2023 'Contemplating a Research Agenda for Terrorism Studies'
    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. [Details]
    2022 'The Social Psychology of Radicalisation'
    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. [Details]
    2018 'Introduction: Hawking the Historical Methods in Organised Crime and Terrorism Studies'
    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. [Details]
    2018 'The Provisional IRA'
    Morrison, John F. (2018) 'The Provisional IRA' In: Routledge Handbook of Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. Oxon: Routledge. [Details]
    2018 '1975 : The Truce that Changed the Troubles'
    Morrison, John F. (2018) '1975 : The Truce that Changed the Troubles' In: Historical Perspectives on Organized Crime and Terrorism. Oxon: Routledge. [Details]
    2017 'The Trustworthy Terrorist : The Role of Trust in the Psychology of Terrorism'
    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. [Details]
    2015 'Individual Disengagement from Terrorist groups'
    Gill, Paul; Bouhana, Noemie; Morrison, John F. (2015) 'Individual Disengagement from Terrorist groups' In: Terrorism and Political Violence. London: SAGE. [Details]
    2015 'Peace Comes Dropping Slow: The Case of Northern Ireland'
    Morrison, John F. (2015) 'Peace Comes Dropping Slow: The Case of Northern Ireland' In: Researching Terrorism, Peace and Conflict Studies. Oxon: Routledge. [Details]
    2013 'Interior Rebellion: A History of Irish Republican Splitting'
    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. [Details]
    2013 'A Time to Think, A Time to Talk : Irish Republican Prisoners in the Northern Ireland Peace Process'
    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. [Details]
    2013 'The Psychology of Terrorism: Current Understanding and Vital Next Steps'
    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. [Details]
    2011 'Why Do People Become Dissident Irish Republicans?'
    Morrison, John F. (2011) 'Why Do People Become Dissident Irish Republicans?' In: Dissident Irish Republicanism. New York: Continuum. [Details]

    Radio Presentation

      Year Publication
    2015 Thinking Allowed: BBC Radio 4.
    John Morrison (2015) Thinking Allowed: BBC Radio 4. Radio Presentation [Details]

    Thesis

      Year Publication
    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.
    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 [Details]

    Published Reports

      Year Publication
    2021 A Systematic Review Of Post-2017 Research On Disengagement And Deradicalisation.
    Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew; Maiberg, Heidi; Slay, Chloe ; Stewart, Rebecca. (2021) A Systematic Review Of Post-2017 Research On Disengagement And Deradicalisation. Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats, Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats. [Details]
    2021 The Role Of (Dis)Trust In Disengagement And Deradicalisation.
    Morrison, John F.; Silke, Andrew; Maiberg, Heidi; Slay, Chloe ; Stewart, Rebecca. (2021) The Role Of (Dis)Trust In Disengagement And Deradicalisation. Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats, Centre for Research and Evidence on Security Threats. [Details]
    2020 Analyzing Interviews with Terrorists.
    Morrison, John F. (2020) Analyzing Interviews with Terrorists. Resolve Network, Resolve Network. [Details]
    2020 Re-Offending by released Terrorist Prisoners : Separating Hype from Reality.
    Silke, Andrew; Morrison, John F. (2020) Re-Offending by released Terrorist Prisoners : Separating Hype from Reality. International Center for Counter-Terrorism: Policy Briefs, International Center for Counter-Terrorism: Policy Briefs. [Details]
    2017 Transmitting Legitimacy and Victimhood : Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism.
    Morrison, John F. (2017) Transmitting Legitimacy and Victimhood : Violent Dissident Irish Republicanism. CREST Security Review, CREST Security Review. [Details]

    Podcast

      Year Publication
    2018 Talking Terror Podcast.
    John Morrison (2018) Talking Terror Podcast. Podcast [Details]

    Honours and Awards

      Year Title Awarding Body
    2014 Honourary Lectureship Department of Security and Crime Science, University College London

    Professional Associations

      Association Function From / To
    Society for Terrorism Research Advisory Board Member 01-SEP-12 /
    International Centre for Counter-Terrorism Associate Fellow P/CVE 01-MAR-22 /

    Employment

      Employer Position From / To
    University of East London Reader 01-SEP-16 / 01-SEP-18
    University of East London Senior Lecturer 01-SEP-11 / 01-SEP-16
    International Center for the Study of Terrorism, Pennsylvania State University Post-Doctoral Researcher 01-SEP-10 / 01-SEP-11
    Royal Holloway, University of London Senior Lecturer 01-SEP-18 / 09-AUG-22

    Education

      Year Institution Qualification Subject
    2005 University College Cork MA Forensic Psychology
    2010 University of St. Andrews PhD International Relations
    2004 University College Dublin BA Psychology

    Reviews

      Journal Role
    Perspectives On Terrorism Associate Editor
    Terrorism And Political Violence Member of the Editorial Board
    Terrorism And Political Violence Guest Editor
    Behavioral Sciences Of Terrorism And Political Aggression Associate Editor

    Other Activities

      Description

    John is currently the external examiner for the BSc in Professional Policing at the University of Law

    John is currently the external examiner for the MA in Cyber Crime and Terrorism at Swansea University

    John is currently the external examiner for the MSc in Countering Organised Crime and Terrorism at University College London

    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:
    • Psychology of Terrorism
    • Introduction to Criminology
    • Theoretical Criminology
    He is currently supervising one doctoral student, John Greenan whose research focuses on radicalisation in UK prisons. 

    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.

    Recent Postgraduates

      Graduation Student Name University Degree Thesis
    2021 Daniella Scerri Royal Holloway PhD Secondary School Teachers’ and Prevent Practitioners’ Conceptualisations of Radicalisation: The Impact on Teachers’ Professionalism
    2022 Eke Bont Royal Holloway PhD Moral Injury in Republican Ex-Prisoners from the Northern Ireland Conflict

    External Collaborators

      Name Role / Description Country
    Rebecca Stewart, Royal Holloway, University of London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Menna Rose Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Kees van den Bos Co-Author NETHERLANDS
    David Winter Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Niamh Hourigan Co-Author IRELAND
    Kurt Braddock Co-Author U.S.A.
    Chloe Slay, Royal Holloway, University of London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Paul Gill, University College London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Andrew Silke, Cranfield University Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Noemie Bouhana, University College London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    James Windle, University College Cork Co-Author IRELAND
    Michael Frith, University College London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Zoe Marchment, University College London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Joel Busher, Coventry University Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Heidi Maiberg, Royal Holloway University of London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Eke Bont, Royal Holloway, University of London Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    Lara Fumkin, Open University Co-Author UNITED KINGDOM
    John Horgan, Georgia State University Co-Author U.S.A.