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2025: A Milestone Year for START
As we welcome 2025, we at START are excited about the opportunities this year will bring. This July marks a significant milestone as we celebrate our 20th anniversary. We look forward to celebrating two decades of meaningful work and reflecting on the progress we’ve achieved together. Stay connected for updates on our projects and initiatives as we continue to advance our mission through science-based research and education. Together, let’s make 2025 a year of discovery, collaboration, and impact!
News
ATAC Research for Foundational Data
Since 2021, the Asymmetric Threat Analysis Center (ATAC), a collaboration between START and the University of Maryland’s Applied Research Lab for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS), has developed research to build foundational data sources and conduct analysis to study asymmetric threats faced by the United States and its allies. This collaboration on Foundational Data for Asymmetric Threats concluded on December 31, 2024. START continues to work with ARLIS to continue ATAC’s work related to integrating modeling and simulation (M&S) and artificial intelligence (AI) into wargaming. Explore the list of ATAC Foundational Data publications >
Arctic Adventures
ICONS Director Dr. Lamb and START researcher Michaela Gawrys took two trips to Alaska to explore Arctic policymaking challenges as part of ICONS's work with the ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence. With its geographic, socio-cultural, and political challenges, the Arctic presents significant difficulties for developing effective policies. Their research examines how changing conditions interact with challenges and policies, helping communities and policymakers navigate this complex region. Learn more about ADAC-ARCTIC Center of Excellence >
Instructor Spotlight: Michael Egnoto
Michael Egnoto brings a wealth of expertise and dedication to his work. Currently a Staff Information Systems Security Engineer for a Department of Defense contractor and US Air Force Reserve Officer, Michael’s career spans over a decade of impactful contributions in risk prevention, assessment, and mitigation. An educator since 2010, he enjoys applying concepts in class to real-world situations, building an understanding of how their work influences daily lives. In this spotlight, Michael shares his teaching philosophy and the advice that shaped his success. Read the spotlight >
Researcher Spotlight: Michaela Gawrys
START researcher, Michaela Gawrys, combines her passion for people and places with innovative qualitative methods to address a range of geopolitical issues. Shaped by fieldwork experiences in Kosovo, she is deeply interested in the influence of borders and identity on modern geopolitics, and at START she has expanded her research areas into wargaming and Arctic security. In this spotlight, Michaela shares insights into her journey, her work at START, and the experiences that have shaped her career. Read the spotlight >
New ICONS Simulation: Democratic Erosion
In the fictional country of Estrad, politics are polarized as tensions rise ahead of a presidential election. Students role-play political parties and media outlets, strategizing to achieve their goals while responding to events. Using scenarios, role sheets, and news injects, participants navigate eroding democratic norms and intense competition, gaining insight into the challenges of leadership and decision-making in a divided society. Register now >
Upcoming ICONS Simulation: Washington Under Attack
START's ICONS Project is developing "Washington Under Attack,” a simulation adapted from a series used for over a decade in START's "States of Emergency" class. Participants will analyze intelligence reports about a potential terrorist attack, strategize resource allocation, and respond to incidents by representing entities such as government agencies, law enforcement, and emergency responders. View all ICONS Project simulations >
PUBLICATIONS
Foundational Datasets: Global Chemical, Biological, Radiological, & Nuclear Data Suite & Portal
Markus K. Binder
The Global Terrorism Database: Experiments in Machine-Assisted Data Collection
Carlos R. Colon, Benjamin Evans, and Margaret A. Hayden
Climate Security, Great Power Competition, and Adversarial Geopolitics in North and West Africa
Madeline Romm, Salma Bouziani, Louis M.Wasser, and Steve Sin
Government Responses to Asymmetric Threats: The State of the Literature on Counterterrorism from 2010 to 2023
Elizabeth Radziszewski and Polina Kharmats
Radicalization in the Ranks: An Assessment of the Scope and Nature of Criminal Extremism in the United States Military
Michael A. Jensen, Sheehan Kane, Sean Doody, and Elena Akers
Civilian Resilience and Resistance: Integrating Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives with a Focus on Ukraine
Egle Murauskaite
Russian Government’s Narratives on Twitter in the Context of Events in the Ukraine War
Anastasia Berdusis, Micayla Billouin, Salma Bouziani, Ethan Kirk, and Elizabeth Radziszewski
Enhancing Urban Resilience: Global Expert Insights on Climate Security, Mitigation, and Adaptive Strategies
Madeline Romm, Marcus A. Boyd, Allison Bredder, Sean Doody, and Timothy F. Leslie
Linguistic Models of Negative Language Attitude
Christian Leuprecht, David B. Skillicorn, and David Kernot
This is a selection of recent publications. For a complete list click here.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Learn About START’s Summer Course in Malaysia at the Study Abroad Fair!
Feb 03, 2025 | 2:00pm - 5:00pm | Adele H. Stamp Student Union
Join START at the Study Abroad Fair to learn about the summer course, Malaysia: Counterterrorism and Countering Violent Extremism in Southeast Asia. This 3-credit course takes you to Kuala Lumpur, where you’ll study global approaches to terrorism and engage with local communities and experts. Visit START’s table at the fair to learn more about this unique opportunity.
Global Terrorism Minor Informational Session
Feb 03, 2025 | 6:00pm - 7:00pm | Online
Join us at this virtual session to learn more about the Global Terrorism Studies Minor program to see how the minor program fits into your academic goals and plan. Apply by February 14, 2025, for Fall 2025.
Advance Your Career with START's Online Graduate Programs
START offers fully online graduate programs through the University of Maryland, designed to advance your career in security and terrorism studies. Choose from the Master of Professional Studies (MPS) in Security and Terrorism Studies, the Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Analysis, or the Graduate Certificate in Insider Risk Management and Mitigation. These flexible programs feature evening classes, making them ideal for working professionals. Apply by August 8, 2025, to start in Fall 2025. Learn more and apply 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
Reemergence of Extremism in America After Trump Pardons
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen speaks to Ted Oberg in this NBC 4 news segment.
Trump's Pardons Will Embolden Proud Boys, Other Far-Right Groups, Say Experts
START is mentioned in this Reuters article.
Convicted Veterans Among Jan. 6 Rioters Granted Pardons, Commutations
START is mentioned in this Air Force Times article.
The Biggest Players of Jan. 6 Walk Free Thanks To Trump
START is mentioned in this HuffPost article.
Role of US Servicemen in Acts of Extremist Violence Under Scrutiny
START's Radicalization in the Ranks study is mentioned in this article by The Guardian.
The Military Is Likely to End Its Anti-extremism Efforts After Four Years of Uncertain Results
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is quoted in this American Homefront article.
‘I Only Knew How to Do One Thing’: New Year’s Violence Resurrects the Dark Side of Military Life
START is mentioned in this Wall Street Journal article.
New Orleans Attack and Vegas Explosion Highlight Extremist Violence by Active Military and Veterans
START is mentioned in this Washington Post article.
‘A Perfect Storm’: Extremism Online and Political Polarization Are Increasing the Risk of Attacks, Experts Say
START research affiliate Dr. Arie Kruglanski is quoted in this NBC News article.
Terror Suspect’s Ties to ISIS Raise Questions About National Security
START Senior Researcher Dr. Timothy Clancy is quoted in this CBS Austin article.
U.S. Military Service Is the Strongest Predictor of Carrying Out Extremist Violence
START Research Director Dr. Michael Jensen is mentioned in this The Intercept article.
New Orleans, Las Vegas Suspects Latest in Long Line of Military Radicals
START is mentioned in this Fox News article.
Cheap and Deadly: Why Vehicle Terror Attacks Like the Bourbon Street Ramming Are on the Rise
START's Global Terrorism Database is mentioned in this USA Today article.
UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Prompts Questions About How to Prevent Copycats
START Senior Researcher Dr. Timothy Clancy is quoted in this ABC News article.
While Some Cash in on Maryland Native Luigi Mangione’s Fame, Others Warn “High Risk” of Copycat Attacks
START Senior Researcher Dr. Timothy Clancy speaks to Mike Hellgren in this WJZ CBS News segment.
This is a selection of recent news clips. For a complete list of START’s media coverage click here.
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.