START researcher Madeline Romm began her journey with a timely opportunity during graduate school, launching a career fueled by curiosity and impact. From climate security to targeted violence, her work blends criminology with real-world relevance and a passion for lifelong learning. In this spotlight, she reflects on how her path unfolded and the projects that continue to inspire her.
How did you first get involved with START?
I found my way to START through a mix of timing, opportunity, and curiosity. During my final year of graduate school at the University of Maryland’s Criminology and Criminal Justice program, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted everything online. With classes and thesis work moving to a remote format, I suddenly had more flexibility in my schedule. It was during this time that a job announcement from START landed on my desk—a project seeking a researcher to conduct qualitative analysis on COVID-19’s impact on first responders. The opportunity was a perfect fit, allowing me to apply my skills in a meaningful way. After six months on the project and completing my master’s degree, I was offered a full-time position at START. Five years later, I’m still here, grateful for where that unexpected opportunity led me.
How did you become interested in your field of study?
My interest in criminology started in a way that might sound cliché, but it’s the truth—I grew up watching Criminal Minds and thought, “Working in the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit would be incredible!” Of course, I quickly learned that TV shows dramatically oversimplify reality. Still, that initial fascination sparked my passion for studying crime. Since my undergraduate school didn’t offer a criminology or criminal justice major, I built my own path by taking every relevant social science course I could. I ended up majoring in psychology with minors in legal studies and religion, which gave me a strong foundation for understanding human behavior. When I got to graduate school, I had a bit of a reality check—I discovered that criminology is much more about studying crime trends and theories than chasing criminals. My first reaction was, “What did I get myself into?” But the more I learned, the more I realized this was exactly what I wanted to do. I quickly fell in love with researching criminality and the broader factors that shape crime.
Who has been the most influential person during your academic pursuits?
One of the most influential people in my career was a professor I had during my undergraduate studies—ironically, not in criminology, but in religious studies. I was so drawn to his courses that I ended up taking only his classes to complete my religion minor. While he was a significant mentor during my time in undergrad, his impact on my career truly took shape afterward. When I was applying to graduate schools, I was torn about where to go. He was the one who encouraged me to choose the University of Maryland, convincing me that it would be the best place to build on my skills and expand my expertise. Looking back, I don’t know where I’d be if not for his guidance. His support set me on the path that ultimately led me to where I am today.
What’s been one of the more interesting projects you’ve worked on?
One of the most interesting and rewarding projects I’ve worked on was with START’s Climate Security Portfolio. Given today’s geopolitical landscape, the intersection of climate change and security is a critical issue, particularly in developing regions. My team and I examined how climate security contributes to large-scale violence in Southeast Asia and North and West Africa, uncovering significant findings. Unfortunately, many policies—both in Western nations and fragile regions—fail to reflect the climate-security nexus. Instead, they either overlook root causes or result in maladaptation, disproportionately harming marginalized communities. While I’ve since shifted my focus, this project remains a passion of mine, and I continue to advocate for governments and policymakers to treat climate security as the urgent priority it is.
What are you currently working on?
My most recent work is on the Terrorism and Targeted Violence (T2V) in the United States project. This initiative focuses on defining key concepts like targeted violence and terrorism, identifying relevant sources and variables, and compiling detailed data on grievances, motivations, ideological movements, and other critical factors into an open-source event-level dataset. The T2V dataset captures a wide range of incidents, including terrorism, premeditated hate crimes, school-based targeted violence, workplace attacks, and public mass violence driven by personal grievances. By analyzing these patterns, this research provides valuable insights to inform public safety officials and policymakers.
Is there a specific research gap that you’re interested in studying?
One research gap my team and I are hoping to explore is the age of offenders in targeted violence. Our findings indicate that offenders in these incidents tend to be older than what is typically observed in general criminal behavior, with an average age in their 30s. This contrasts with the traditional age-crime curve in criminology, which suggests that criminal activity peaks between ages 18-24 before sharply declining. I want to investigate why this discrepancy exists. From a criminology perspective, this could be linked to developmental changes, maturation gaps, or shifts in social roles and responsibilities. I’m particularly interested in determining which theoretical framework best explains why targeted violence offenders deviate from the expected age-crime trajectory. This question is especially important for policy and prevention efforts—if targeted violence offenders do not follow the traditional age-crime curve, it suggests that different mechanisms and risk factors are at play. Policymakers may need to rethink prevention strategies by focusing on the unique motivations, grievances, and life circumstances of older offenders rather than applying generalized approaches designed for younger individuals.
What is the most exciting experience you’ve had due to your research?
One of the most exciting experiences in my research career was presenting at the United Nations headquarters in New York City. This opportunity came early in the development of the climate security portfolio, signaling that our work was both timely and relevant to key stakeholders. It was my first chance to engage in direct discussions with government officials about the climate-security nexus, making it an incredibly rewarding and productive experience. Seeing experts take an active interest in our research gave me hope that real change was possible. As a researcher, there’s nothing more fulfilling than knowing your work extends beyond reports and publications to influence real-world conversations and future policies.
What is your favorite part about your job?
The best part of my job is the ability to keep learning. I always joke that I went to graduate school and then chose a career in research and education because I never wanted to stop being a student. My work allows me to explore topics I’m passionate about—reading, writing, and discussing them—while continuously expanding my knowledge, all while getting paid to do it! I often talk with my family about what my dream job would be, and without hesitation, my answer is always the same: exactly what I’m doing now. I feel incredibly fortunate to have a career that fuels my curiosity, deepens my understanding, and allows me to make an impact when I can.
What are your plans for the future?
This is a big question—one I think about often. I see myself staying in research, though I’m still figuring out exactly what that path looks like. My ideal future would involve exploring topics driven by genuine significance rather than political influence, allowing me to investigate issues that truly matter. It may be an ambitious goal, but it’s one worth striving for
Outside of work, what do you do for fun?
Outside of work, I enjoy running, reading, and spending time with family and friends. I’m also lucky to have my Irish Red Setter, Rosie, who keeps me company. My four brothers and parents all live nearby, so there’s never a shortage of family time or fun. With a total of seven dogs between us, our family vacation houses often feel more like a farm! When I’m not with family, you can usually find me in a park, reading a book while Rosie runs circles around me.