~ RAI Research Seminar ~
Tuesday 17 February 2026, 4-6pm (GMT)
This is a hybrid event.
To join us in Person at the RAI (50 Fitzroy Street, W1T5BT London), register here
To join us online via Zoom, register here
Public Behaviour During Terror Attacks
Prof Mark Maguire (Maynooth University)
For over a decade, Mark Maguire has studied terrorist attacks in Europe and Africa from the perspective of the public. When these terrifying events unfold on city streets, in airports, or in shopping malls, ordinary people are at the mercy of their attackers for a significant time before armed responders arrive. During those critical minutes, many people demonstrate extraordinary resilience, while others reach the limit of their capabilities and social solidarity. By reconstructing these incidents anthropologically, we can also identify significant patterns and thereby inform better security “preparedness.” We also come to better know the forces operating in the world of counterterrorism. This talk closes with an anthropological reflection on future challenges in emergency evacuation planning.