Pool Re-sponsored Neave Book Prize winner revealed

Book examined how technological advancements shape warfare and terrorism

Pool Re-sponsored Neave Book Prize winner revealed

Insurance News

By Gabriel Olano

Audrey Kurth Cronin, author of “Power to the People: How Open Technological Innovation is Arming Tomorrow’s Terrorists”, has won the Neave Book Prize, sponsored by Pool Re.

According to Pool Re, the award, which includes a monetary prize of £5,000, honours non-fiction literature that seeks to make significant, original, relevant, and practically valuable contributions to the understanding of terrorism. It is organised by the Airey Neave Trust, named after the Second World War hero and former Member of Parliament Airey Neave, who was killed in a terrorist attack during The Troubles.

Cronin is currently a professor of international security at American University, Washington DC. She has held academic positions at the US National War College and Oxford University. Prior to that, Cronin was a specialist in terrorism at the Congressional Research Service, advising on the aftermath of 9/11. She has also served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy.

“Power to the People: How Open Technological Innovation is Arming Tomorrow’s Terrorists” was published in November 2019 and made the “Best of 2019” list by Foreign Affairs, a publication on American foreign policy and global affairs. The book analyses how emerging technologies accelerate the development in warfare and how these alter society at both individual and organisational levels.

“Terrorism is rapidly evolving in today’s world, and our understanding of how terrorists are using technological innovation is crucial in mitigating the risks,” said Ed Butler, chief resilience officer at Pool Re and former trustee of the Airey Neave Trust. “Pool Re is proud to be able to contribute to encouraging research and discussion of counterterrorism through this award. Audrey Kurth Cronin’s book is a comprehensive, highly analytical and enjoyable read; we were impressed by her knowledge and extensive research. We look forward to sponsoring the prize for the next three events.”

“Ever since Airey Neave’s murder in 1979, the trust in his name has supported research into and books about terrorism, with grants, fellowships and now the Book Prize,” said Lord Arbuthnot, chairman of the Airey Neave Trust. “We are indebted to Pool Re for their support for this prize, and also to our distinguished judges for the time they have put in to choosing, from an excellent field, a worthy winner.”

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