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There is a clear and urgent need to undertake more research into the nature of Islamist, not Islamic, communications to and between British Muslims, in particular from deviant third-party organisations without British interests at heart, regardless of whether those Muslims reside on university campuses.

Such research must be informed by Muslim British citizens.

Therefore, the holds placed on the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's project "Combating Terrorism by Countering Radicalisation" ("Life-risking 'spy' plan pulled", October 20) may in themselves risk the lives of ordinary people who may be subject to further terrorist atrocities.

As an academic community, we must have input into the design of suitable research programmes into what has fast become the issue of our times.

Paul Baines
Cranfield University