Event looks at whether world becoming more violent

These are the questions being asked at an event held by University of Salford academics this week.

The event, entitled How Can We Respond To Violence? comes following recent news of an increase in violent offences including knife crime across England and Wales, and an eight per cent increase in the murder rate.

Criminologist Dr Anthony Ellis, who has organised the event, will talk about whether growing inequality and economic uncertainty around the world means we are heading towards a more violent future.

Dr Muzammil Quraishi will discuss the latest theories about whether unique factors in human brains make them more likely to become violent – based on research into the brains of psychopaths – or whether people’s environment or upbringing plays more of a role. 

Psychologist Dr Clare Allely will discuss what goes through people’s minds before they go on mass shooting sprees – such as has happened in recent US cases – and what factors are more likely to make them do so.

The event will be hosted by criminologist Jon Shute from the University of Manchester, an expert in mass violence and the links between psychology and violent behaviour.  

Dr Ellis said: “It feels as if you can’t turn on the news without hearing fresh stories about murder, gang wars and terrorism. Whether it’s a perception or not, to many people the world does feel like it’s becoming a more dangerous place.

“We want to look into where the origins of violence lie, whether we’re inherently driven towards it, and what we can do about it as a society.”

The event, at the University’s Mary Seacole Building from 6pm on Thursday November 9, is being held as part of the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) Festival of Social Sciences.