The Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence (CSTPV), also known as the Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence, is a research centre at the School of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews, and is Europe's oldest terrorism research facility. The CSTPV is "dedicated to the study of the causes, dynamics, characteristics and consequences of terrorism and related forms of political violence", while committed to rigorous, independent evidence-based scholarly analysis.[1] In addition, the CSTPV investigates the responses of states, civil society, and international organizations to violent modes of waging conflict.[2] As the basis of its work, the CSTPV maintains databases, manifestations, and consequences of terrorism and other forms of political violence.[3]
CSTPV has been able to expand its research and teaching work as the result of a donation from the Worldwide Support for Development (WSD), chaired by Japanese religious leader Haruhisa Handa. Hence it was also named as Handa Centre for the Study of Terrorism and Political Violence.[1]
The Centre teaches a variety of courses and supports research students completing PhDs, DProfs, and MPhils. It also hosts events year round including the annual Paul Wilkinson Memorial Lecture and is home to the Extremism Journal, Contemporary Voices in International Relations and an academic blog.