Transnational Actors

The Transnational Actors project will use a range of analytical tools from complex systems analysis, social and organisational psychology, and evolutionary biology, to examine the strengths and weaknesses of transnational actors. We will examine their transactional networking structures, processes that create opportunities for radicalisation, the
dynamics of flows of inspiration (the utility of violent jihad), knowledge (from communications techniques to bomb-making skills) and finance.

Three strands of research – bio-defense policy, transnational outbreaks of infectious disease, and public diplomacy, have been addressed via the work of Dr Frank Smith:

• In the area of bio-defense, namely military and civilian policies that limit the damage caused by biological warfare or bioterrorism, a journal article in Security Studies has been accepted for publication in May 2011. A draft book chapter about bio-defense was completed in June 2011.

• In the area of transnational outbreaks of infectious disease, an article about SARS, H5N1, and H1N1 has been submitted to the journal International Security, with revisions pending. In July, research about global health governance at the workshop ‘Politics of Disease Surveillance’ hosted by Griffith University provided the basis for another article that is being planned to be submitted as part of a special issue in the journal Global Change, Peace & Security.

• In the area of public diplomacy, a paper with Ian Hall about public diplomacy and the struggle for soft power in Asia has been submitted to the journal Pacific Review with revisions pending. Given this paper and Dr Smith’s other research interests, he also started a new project on science diplomacy, which is the subset of public diplomacy that involves scientific and technical exchange. Some preliminary findings were presented at the Griffith Asia Institute research seminar in May, and based on the constructive feedback, Dr Smith pursued field research in Jakarta in early September.

An edited book has also been published by Dr Ashutosh Misra and Dr Michael Clarke titled ‘Pakistan’s Stability Paradox: Domestic, Regional and International Dimensions’, with a book launch by the Hon. Indian Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) Dr. Shashi Tharoor, former Under-Secretary General, United Nations and also a prolific writer and media commentator, at the India International Centre in New Delhi, on 1 December 2011. The central theme of the book looks at Pakistan’s stability paradox: why is it that despite Pakistan’s efforts in recent years to stabilise itself politically, militarily, socially, religiously or judicially, such attempts have led to more instability?