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News
University of Maryland Hosts Kickoff Event for Biosafety and Biosecurity Project in Latin America
On November 7, the University of Maryland kicked off Phase II of a European Union-funded project to strengthen biosafety and biosecurity in Latin America, gathering experts from 11 countries and key international organizations. Learn how START’s threat assessments and training initiatives are shaping regional preparedness efforts. Read more >
New Addition to the GRAT Portal!
Our latest addition to the Global Responses to Asymmetric Threats (GRAT) portal offers valuable insights into government use of information operations (IOs) against other states and their responses to adversaries’ use of IOs. Explore findings, methodologies, variables, hypotheses, type & geographic focus of operations with our tool. Access GRAT >
UWT Program Lead Presents on Terrorist CBRN Plot Interdiction
Mr. Markus K. Binder, Program Lead for START’s Unconventional Weapons and Technology portfolio, delivered a closing presentation at the CBRNE Convergence 2024 Conference on patterns of interdiction for CBRN terror plots, sharing key insights from global data on thwarted attacks. Learn more >
Instructor Spotlight: Max Erdemandi
In our November Instructor Spotlight, we feature Max Erdemandi, lecturer and a dual Ph.D./M.S. candidate at the University of Maryland. Passionate about teaching, Max has developed and led courses on misinformation, radicalization, crisis management, and risk communication, incorporating real-world insights and guest experts into the classroom. Learn more about his journey and the mentors who inspired him along the way. Read the spotlight >
Elizabeth Radziszewski Judges WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge
START Associate Research Scientist Dr. Elizabeth Radziszewski served as a judge and mentor for the 2024 WMGIC x NATO Countering Disinformation Challenge, where students from over 70 countries proposed policy solutions for NATO on issues like AI, Public Health, Climate Change, and the Russia-Ukraine War. Her participation highlights START’s commitment to empowering future leaders in global security and policy innovation. Learn more and watch the videos >
Upcoming Event
Graduate Programs Informational Session
December 2, 2024 | 6–7 PM EST
An online information session will be held for START's Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies, Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis, and Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation. This event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. Learn more and register >
Educational Opportunities
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies
START offers a fully online Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies through the University of Maryland. The program examines the roots of terrorism and asymmetric threats, delivered in a synchronous online format. Apply by Jan 3, 2025, for Spring 2025. Learn more and apply >
Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis
START offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis hosted through the University of Maryland Graduate School. The flexible program (1-2 academic years) provides participants – both scholars and practitioners – with advanced education on the causes, dynamics and impacts of international and domestic terrorism. Apply by Jan 3, 2025, for Spring 2025. Learn more and apply >
Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation
START offers a fully online Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation through the University of Maryland’s Graduate School. The program provides participants with advanced education on understanding, investigating, and managing insider risks and insider threats, and is delivered in a synchronous format using multiple online platforms provided by the University of Maryland. Apply by Jan 3, 2025, for Spring 2025. Learn more and apply >
Winter Session Courses
Winter Session registration is now open! START's fully online Winter Session courses at the University of Maryland offer flexible learning for students and professionals eager to deepen their expertise in terrorism, security studies, and risk analysis. Apply by Jan 2, 2025. Explore the courses and register today >
This is a selection of educational opportunities. For a complete list click here.
If you have any questions, contact the Education Team at education-start@umd.edu.
START in the News
PODCAST
A Good Guy: 279 Hours (season 21, episode 1)
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is quoted in NPR's Embedded podcast, discussing Sgt. Joshua Abate's court case and insights on the Jan 6 events and their impact on the military.
ARTICLES
Advocates Fear Dismantling of DoD’s Extremism Prevention, DEI Programs
START is mentioned in this Air Force Times article on advocates fearing the dismantling of DoD’s extremism prevention and DEI programs.
Veterans Involved in Jan. 6 Riot Expect Trump to Keep Pardon Promise
START is mentioned in this Military Times article on Trump's pardon promise for veterans involved in the Jan. 6 riot.
Trump Pentagon Pick Had Been Flagged by Fellow Service Member as Possible ‘Insider Threat’
START is mentioned in this Associated Press article on Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for U.S. Secretary of Defense, following concerns about his past conduct.
From “Will Be Wild” to “Charges Have Been Filed”
START's Capitol Insurrection data tool is mentioned in this City & State Pennsylvania article on the Jan 6. insurrection defendant cases in Pennsylvania.
Voting Accessibility: Looking At Voter Setbacks and Gains Ahead of the 2024 Presidential Race
START is mentioned in this WDSU article on voting accessibility.
Conspiracies, Calls for Violence Spike Online Ahead of Election Day
START is mentioned in this Air Force Times article on the rise of false conspiracies ahead of the U.S. presidential election.
Extremism Is Becoming More Common Among Veterans and Service Members
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is quoted in this The Week article on extremism in the military.
The Surprising Ineffectiveness of Countering Hate Speech on Reddit
START's PIRUS database is mentioned in this USC Viterbi article on the ineffectiveness of counterspeech in changing user behavior within hate-based subreddits—except when the counterspeech is hostile.
The Jan. 6 Riot Included Marines. The Military Is Wrestling With the Consequences
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is quoted in this NPR article on how the January 6 insurrection has affected military members, including insights from Marine Sgt. Joshua Abate's case and its implications.
Extremism Among U.S. Military and Former Military Personnel Exposed in AP Investigation
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is mentioned in this Associated Press article on extremism in the military.
This is a selection of news clips from the past month. For a complete list of START’s media coverage click here.
Supporting START
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 policymakers. 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.