A consortium of researchers dedicated to improving the understanding of the human causes and consequences of terrorism

START News: Instructor Spotlight, Election Security & Resilience Event, Publications, and More!

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News

Highlights From the “Election Security & Resilience” Event
On October 8, START co-hosted the “Election Security & Resilience” event with the National Capital Chapter of ASIS International, the Maryland Democracy Initiative, and Axis Communications. The event brought together experts and practitioners to address critical election security issues. Read the full story >

Instructor Spotlight: Thomas Guarrieri
In this first edition of our Instructor Spotlight, we feature Dr. Thomas Guarrieri, who has dedicated his career to advancing research and education in terrorism studies, shaping the next generation of scholars and practitioners while contributing to a deeper understanding of global security issues. Read the interview >


Publications

The Impact of Events in the War in Ukraine on Pro-Russian Narratives: The Case of Weibo and Telegram
Elizabeth Radziszewski

Making Sense of a Pandemic: Reasoning About COVID-19 in the Intellectual Dark Web
Sean Doody

​​Advancements in Open-Source Geospatial Technologies and the Exploitation by Bad Actors
Megan Rutter

Advancements in the Connection Between Internet of Things (IoT) and Geospatial Technologies
Madeline Romm

External Interventions: Bluffing and Adaptive Learning in Civil Wars
Elizabeth Radziszewski

This is a selection of recent publications. For a complete list click here.


Upcoming Events

Global Terrorism Minor Informational Session
Oct 30, 2024 | 6 - 7 pm
Want to know more about START’s Global Terrorism Studies Minor? Sign up to attend one of our upcoming information sessions! This event is free and open to UMD students, but registration is required. Learn more and register >

Graduate Programs Informational Session
Nov 13, 2024 | 6 - 7 pm
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

Global Terrorism Studies Minor Program
The Global Terrorism Studies Minor at the University of Maryland prepares future terrorism analysts. Ideal for students pursuing graduate studies or careers in terrorism and counterterrorism. Apply by Nov 1, 2024, for early admittance. Learn more and apply >

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 >

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.


START in the News

Election Officials Warn of Bad Actors and Trickery, but It’s Not All Gloom and Doom
Coverage of the "Election Security & Resilience" event hosted by START.

His Country Trained Him to Fight. Then He Turned Against It. More Like Him Are Doing the Same
START is mentioned in this Associated Press article investigating the troubling rise of extremism within U.S. military ranks, as veterans' involvement in the January 6 Capitol attack prompts renewed efforts to address domestic terrorism.

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 military involvement in the January 6 Capitol riot.

Hate and Rage in N.J. Extremism Has Come to the Garden State. And It Is Surging.
START is mentioned in this NJ.com article on the rise of extremism in New Jersey and its impact on the state.

North Carolina Man Linked to Growing Concerns of Extremism Among Us Military, Veterans
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is mentioned in this ABC11 article, which highlights growing concerns about extremism among U.S. military veterans.

Takeaways From the Associated Press’ Reporting on Extremism in the Military
START is mentioned in this ABC News article on the Associated Press' reporting on extremism in the military.

A Year From Oct 7, Tens of Thousands Dead and Fears of a ‘Forever War'
START's Global Terrorism Database is mentioned in this NBC News article examining the human toll and regional instability caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Al-Shabaab Still Deadly 18 Years After Emergence
START is mentioned in this Eurasia Review article on how Al-Shabaab remains a significant threat 18 years after its emergence.

The US Can Leave Iraq. Really.
START’s Global Terrorism Database is mentioned in this The Hill article on the implications of U.S. troop withdrawal from Iraq and its impact on national security.

The U.S. Has Had a Long History of Political Violence, but Experts See a New Trend
START Founding Director Dr. Gary LaFree is mentioned in this NPR segment with Odette Yousef, NPR's domestic extremism correspondent, discussing extremism and national security.

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.