December e-Newsletter available now

 
Study shows hate crimes more likely to occur after terrorist attacks
In examining the more than 500 terrorist attacks occurring between 1992 and 2008 in the United States, a START research team found that in the weeks following a terrorist attack, the number of anti-minority hate crimes increased if the attacks were made against symbols of core American values (such as the Pentagon) or perpetrated by groups with a religious motivation. Full story…
 
START researchers examine border crossings and terrorist attacks in the US
In a new report, START researchers examine U.S. border crossings by individuals indicted between 1980 and 2004 on federal terrorism charges. Based upon information available in public court documents, the research team identified 264 indicted individuals who had been involved in 221 border crossings at 22 U.S. ports of entry, and who were associated with 43 known U.S. terrorist attacks since 1970. Full story…
 
New report: Social media use during disasters
In the new literature review, “Social Media Use during Disasters,” START researchers provide detailed information about the public’s use of social media, both generally and during disasters, and address what prompts the public to use social media during disasters as well as what deters such consumption.   Full story…
 
Police Response to Terrorism - Lessons from the Israeli Police
START has released a dataset designed to help understand the potential consequences of policing terrorism by exploring the effects of an increase in counterterrorism efforts deployed by Israeli police since the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. Full story…
 

Discussion Point: Black Swans and Burstiness – Countering Myths about Terrorism
Written by START Director Gary LaFree, this is part of a series of thought pieces authored by members of the START Consortium to foster thoughtful reflection and discussion. Also published by the Institute for Economics and Peace for the inaugural Global Terrorism Index, this article discusses the qualities of terrorism that make it prone to myth-making: its black swan nature and its burstiness. Full story…
 

  
START Headquarters is relocating
After eight years in Symons Hall, START Headquarters will move this winter to offices on the second floor of the University of Maryland’s Route 1 Annex, adjacent to campus at 8400 Baltimore Avenue. The new facilities will give START 40 percent more space with room to expand and a greater ability to host events. Full story…
 
First-of-its-kind index ranks countries for impact of terrorism
The number of terrorist incidents has increased virtually every year since 9/11, however, terrorism fatalities have fallen by 25 percent since 2007, according to the Global Terrorism Index (GTI), which is produced by the Institute for Economics & Peace and based on data from START’s GTD. Full story…
 
RSVP now for ‘Public Diplomacy and Countering Violent Extremism’
START will host U.S. Department of State Under Secretary Tara Sonenshine as she discusses “Public Diplomacy and Countering Violent Extremism” at 11 a.m. Wednesday, March 27 at the University of Maryland. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP now…
 
Researcher Spotlight: Michele Gelfand
Long Island native Michele Gelfand first became interested in studying terrorism after 9/11. The psychologist was drawn to the field out of a desire to use psychology to understand the motives behind the attacks and the organizational aspects of terrorist group formation and recruitment. Full story…
 
START intern, soon-to-be-graduate excels in and out of the classroom
For soon-to-be-graduate and former START intern Brittany Steele, a career working in government is on the horizon. Armed with a degree in criminology and criminal justice, specialization in terrorism studies and first-hand experience working with the government, she will be on the job market next month. Full story…
 
Apply now for START’s minor in Terrorism Studies
Students from all colleges and majors are encouraged to apply to START’s Terrorism Studies minor. The program provides students with the education and training needed to pursue careers in fields related to homeland security or a graduate level program. Apply by Feb. 22. Full story…
 

 
Pakistan: Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) posts job openings on Facebook
Attempting to take advantage of the expansive reach of social media, the TTP posted job openings on its Facebook page recently.  Full story…
 
International: Shiites targeted during holy holiday, Ashura
Bombings in Pakistan, Yemen and Iraq mark a pattern of attacks against Shiites during the holy holiday of Ashura.  In one of the most notable events, approximately 28 people were killed in a double bombing in Hilla, Iraq, according to the BBC. Full story… 
 
Thailand: Prime Minister visits southern region after attacks kill infant, school personnel
On Dec. 11, two attacks in different southern provinces killed at least seven people including teachers and an 11-month-old girl.  Full story… 
 
Syria: New name for al-Qaida group receives spot on US foreign terrorist organization list
Al-Nusrah Front, a group currently claiming responsibility for attacks in Syria, is now officially designated by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO).  Full story… 

 
Apply by Jan. 15 to earn your Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis
Apply now for START’s fully online Graduate Certificate Program in Terrorism Analysis. The program provides participants with advanced education on the causes, dynamics and impacts of international and domestic terrorism. Participants also develop the methodological and analytical skills necessary to conduct advanced original analysis in the field of terrorism studies. This program is appropriate for current practitioners, those looking to break into the terrorism studies field and established scholars alike. The certificate can be completed in 12 months.
 
Eligibility: Participants must have earned a four-year baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited U.S. institution, or an equivalent degree at a foreign university. A 3.0 GPA is preferred, but experience may substitute. GRE scores are not required.
 
Application Information: Interested parties must complete an online application by January 15 through the University of Maryland's Graduate School at http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/gss/admission.html and select "Terrorism Analysis - Z039" in the drop-down list of programs.
 
Program Courses: Terrorist Motivations and Behaviors; Societal Impacts of and Responses to Terrorism; Development of Counterterrorism Policy and Programs; and Research Methods in Terrorism and Counterterrorism.
 
Still not sure if online learning is right for you? See how START’s Graduate Certificate Program changed the minds of two previous skeptics. Full story…
 

 
Special Projects GIS Analyst
The Special Projects GIS Analyst will be responsible for performing a variety of social network and/or geospatial research tasks on multiple projects, including identifying and integrating geospatial data sources, coding SNA and/or GIS data and implementing data quality control processes, analysis, preparing reports (integrating SNA and/or GIS analysis with other types of qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, writing, proof-reading, formatting), and preparing and delivering presentations. The Special Projects GIS Analyst will be responsible for supervising small teams of 1-5 hourly research assistants or interns for some of these tasks.
 
Minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to: a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline; at least three months of prior terrorism-related research; familiarity with terrorism and counterterrorism literature; and the ability to effectively supervise undergraduate and/or graduate research assistants and interns.  Apply now…

Special Projects Researcher
The Special Projects Researcher will be responsible for performing a variety of basic research tasks on multiple projects, including identifying and summarizing sources, coding data and implementing data quality control processes, analysis, preparing reports (performing qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, writing, proof-reading, formatting), and preparing and delivering presentations. The Special Projects Researcher will be responsible for supervising small teams of 1-3 research assistants for some of these tasks.
 
Minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to: at least one year of prior terrorism-related research; substantive knowledge within two or more of the Special Projects research areas; and a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline, but a graduate degree or two years of relevant experience is preferred. Apply by Dec. 21…
 
Special Projects Researcher
The Special Projects Researcher will be responsible for performing a variety of basic research tasks on multiple projects, including identifying and summarizing sources, coding data and implementing data quality control processes, analysis, preparing reports (performing qualitative and/or quantitative analysis, writing, proof-reading, formatting), and preparing and delivering presentations. The Special Projects Researcher will be responsible for supervising small teams of 1-5 hourly research assistants or interns for some of these tasks.

Minimum qualifications include, but are not limited to: a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline; at least one year of prior terrorism-related research; policy-relevant knowledge of CBRN pursuit and use by non-state actors; training and/or experience with one or more research methodologies; and familiarity with terrorism and counterterrorism literature. Apply by Dec. 21…
 

 
Global Terrorism Index, GTD data basis of many news reports
Many major news outlets this month covered the release of the Global Terrorism Index, which is based on Data from START’s Global Terrorism Database. The index scores 158 countries, tracks changing trends in terrorism overtime, and also explores significant correlations with other socio-economic indicators. Full story…
 
Why Assad won’t use his chemical weapons
Foreign Policy recently published this analysis by START researcher Charles Blair about CBRN issues in Syria. Full story…
 
NBC News: North America is region least likely to suffer from terror attack, researchers say
This NBC News article reports findings of the Global Terrorism Index, which is based on data from START’s GTD. Full story…
 
Fighting terror takes more than drones
START researcher Steve Weine authored this CNN opinion article discussing the future of the fighting terrorism and the importance of creating a grassroots movement that emphasizes community education and resilience. Full story…
 
State Department contracts START to provide terrorism data
START director Gary LaFree and researcher Erin Miller are quoted in a Homeland Security Today article about START providing the statistical annex for the State Department congressionally mandated Country Reports on Terrorism. Full story…
 

 
Help Support START Research and Education
The START Consortium is dedicated to generating knowledge of the human causes and consequences of terrorism. Applying rigorous standards to both research and education, START seeks to illuminate one of the most highly politicized and understudied phenomena in the social sciences for students, practitioners, and policy-makers. Funded primarily through research grants to date, START is seeking to generate an endowment that will provide the flexibility and autonomy to ensure that it can continue to serve as an objective source of data and empirically based analysis into the future.  To donate, or for more information, please click here.