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Michelle Black

  1. UNO
  2. College of Arts and Sciences
  3. Political Science
  4. About Us
  5. Faculty & Staff Directory
  6. Michelle Black
Michelle Black, PhD

Michelle Black, PhD

She/Her/Hers

  • Associate Professor
  • Political Science

email:
michellblack@unomaha.edu
office:
  • 275F ASH
lab location:
PKI 365
personal website:
https://www.unomaha.edu/nebraska-deterrence-lab/

Additional Information

Office Hours: Advising or Meeting

Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Email to Schedule: michellblack@unomaha.edu

 

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Black CV 

 

Background

 

Dr. Black is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science for the University of Nebraska Omaha, Co-Director for the Nebraska Deterrence Lab, Security Innovations Academic Programming Director for NCITE, a Research Partner for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and Co-Editor for Space and Defense Journal. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Black has over seventeen years of professional experience with the Department of Defense.

Prior to joining UNO, Dr. Black was a government civilian for the Department of Defense from 2009-2016. She specialized in Deterrence Analysis and Adversary Decision-making for the United Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Plans and Policy Directorate at Offutt Air Force Base. During her time at USSTRATCOM, she provided analysis and recommendations to senior leaders on decision-making strategy, deterring state and non-state actors, and regional expertise. Additionally, she initiated and directed the Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance, recruiting over 35 academic institutions to the program. This program provides a platform for defense and academic organizations to communicate and collaborate on research issues regarding Deterrence and Assurance. 

Prior to her government civilian work, Dr. Black worked in Psychological Operations from 2001-2009 as U.S. Army Special Operations NCO (Airborne) for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and later as a Defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dr. Black earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2016. She also earned an M.S. in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University (2009), a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst College (2007), an M.S. in International Relations from Troy University (2005), and B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Iowa (2001).

Teaching Interests

Dr. Black teaches in the areas of security studies, specifically: U.S. Foreign Policy; Political Violence, Insurgency and Terrorism; Intelligence and National Security; Deterrence Theory; Political Analysis; Middle East Politics; and International Leadership and Strategy. Additionally, Dr. Black provides lectures and coursework to the Department of Defense (DoD) for senior-level officials through NSRI, and is a frequent contributor to community courses and symposiums.

UNO Courses:

PSCI 2000 – Political Analysis

PSCI 3260/8265 – U.S. Foreign Policy

PSCI 4210/8216 - International Relations of the Middle East

PSCI 4250/8256 – Intelligence and National Security

PSCI 4556/8556 – Political Violence, Insurgency and Terrorism

PSCI 4920 – Special Topics: Middle East Politics

PSCI 8220 – International Leadership and Strategy

  

DoD Courses:

Strategic Deterrence - USSTRATCOM Fellows

Nuclear Deterrence 300/400 – Deterrence in the 21stCentury

Nuclear Deterrence 400 – Adversary Decision-making and Deterrence Case Analysis

 

Community Courses:

International and Cyber Security – Chuck Hagel Symposium in Public Service

U.S. Military Influence in World Politics – Nebraska Civic Leadership Program (NCLP)

Interwoven Security: Complications in the Middle East – UNO’s Dual Enrollment Seminar Series

Impact of Islamic State Ideology – Center of Afghanistan Studies (CAS)

Middle East Security Issues – CAS

Insurgency Progression in the Middle East Region – CAS

Terror Networks and Regional Security in South and Central Asia - CAS

 

Research Interests:

Dr. Black’s research interests include: Insurgency Progression Theory, Violent Extremist Organization/Terrorism’s use of online social media, Multi-Actor Deterrence, Deterring state and non-state actors, Deterrence and Assurance Theory and Application, Political Violence, Group Rebellion, Middle East Politics and Security Issues, and Decision-making analysis.

Publications:

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2024). Strengthening DHS Intelligence Analysis Education: Core Competencies, Gaps and Challenges. Book Chapter: Strategic Minds: The role of intelligence education in advancing national security analysis. Forthcoming volume by Tylor and Francis/Routledge.

Michelle Black (2024). Teaching on Deterrence and Nuclear Politics. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Forthcoming in Oxford University Encyclopedia.

Michelle Black, Lana Obradovic, and Deanna House. (2024). Behind the Curve: Challenges Facing the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Workforce. Journal of Cybersecurity, 10(1). DOI:10.1093/cybsec/tyae002

Michelle Black (2023). Multi-Domain Escalation Management: A North Atlantic Treaty Organization Case Study. Defense Studies, 23(3) 421-435. DOI:1080/14702436.2023.2238618.

Kira Graves, Hannah Scott, Kathryn H. Floyd, Kate Thornton, Mallory Lucier-Greer, Sorin Adam Matei, and Michelle Black (2023). Future Hunters Elective at the Command and General Staff Officer College: Exposing Emerging Leaders to the Power of Strategic Foresight.  Journal of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience Education, 16(1).

Michelle Black and Rula Jabbour (2023). Insurgent and terrorist groups’ participation in politics reduces violence. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict Journal: Pathways towards Terrorism and Genocide. DOI:10.1080/17467586.2023.2182445 

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2022). Multi-Actor Deterrence: Defining the Concept. Æther: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower; 1(2), 69-80. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-1_Issue-2/Black.pdf.

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2022). Strengthening DHS Intelligence Analysis Education: Core Competencies, Gaps and Challenges. Journal of Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism, 17:1. DOI:10.1080/18335330.2022.2069475.

Heather Kearney and Michelle Black (2020). Identifying leader’s intent: An analysis of Kim Jong-Un. Defense and Security Analysis. Defense & Security Analysis, 36:4, 398-421. DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2020.1857910

Michelle Black (2019) Explaining insurgency progression in Iraq, 2003–2011, Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, DOI: 10.1080/17467586.2019.1650386

Lana Obradovic & Michelle Black (2019) Teaching Deterrence: A 21st-Century Update, Journal of Political Science Education, DOI: 10.1080/15512169.2019.1575228

Michelle Black (2016) Cyber ethnography: A critical tool for the Department of Defense?, Comparative Strategy, 35:2, 103-113, DOI: 10.1080/01495933.2016.1176456

Michelle Black & Osamah Alhenaki (2015) Business As Usual: The Egyptian-U.S. Intelligence Relationship, Global Security and Intelligence Studies, 1: 1. DOI: 10.18278/gsis.1.1.3

Research Grants:

Principal Investigator on NATO S&T Collaboration Office and NATO Wargaming Branch, ACT (2024)

Principal Investigator on Multi-domain Deterrence (Awarded 2021-2022), NATO ACT

Principal Investigator on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Education, (Awarded 2020- 2021), DHS

Principal Investigator on Multi-Actor Deterrence (Awarded 2021), NSRI IRAD and NU Collaboration Initiative

Co-Principal Investigator (PI) Counter-Terrorism Center (Awarded 2020-2030), DHS

Principal Investigator on Enabling Coherent Deterrence Concept Development, Deterrence Research (Awarded June 2019-2020), NATO ACT

Principal Investigator on Air Force Deterrence Coursework Development and Education (Awarded 2017-2019), Air Force Global Strike, Department of the Air Force

Co-Principal Investigator (PI) Investigator for Research and Development of Information Operations JMEM (2009-2010), OSD(I) and USSTRATCOM. 

Media:

Bridging defense gaps: Military-polysci perspective yields deep insight

Dr. Michelle Black - The Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership

NATO-funded Project Explores New Deterrence Methodology

National Counterterrorism program, based at UNO with $36.5 Million, Dr. Michelle Black will serve as director of workforce development. 

DHS Selects University of Nebraska Omaha to Lead Terrorism Research

UNO Experts: Strikes might subside, but war of words will continue. Assistant Professor Michelle Black, KETV

What will Iran do next? Assistant Professor Michelle Black, KETV

NATO grant opens door for student research with international implications: Dr. Michelle Black Awarded Research Grant

Deterrence, Assurance Conference Highlights Excellence in National Security: Dr. Michelle Black

Faculty Focus: Michelle Black, University of Nebraska Omaha

Adjunct to Professor: Michelle Black, The Gateway

Dr. Michelle Black: Former PSYOP, University of Nebraska Omaha, Alumni Association

Follow Dr. Michelle Black on Twitter

 

Additional Information

Office Hours: Advising or Meeting

Tuesday and Thursday: 12:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Email to Schedule: michellblack@unomaha.edu

 

Curriculum Vitae

Dr. Black CV 

 

Background

 

Dr. Black is an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science for the University of Nebraska Omaha, Co-Director for the Nebraska Deterrence Lab, Security Innovations Academic Programming Director for NCITE, a Research Partner for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and Co-Editor for Space and Defense Journal. In addition to her academic career, Dr. Black has over seventeen years of professional experience with the Department of Defense.

Prior to joining UNO, Dr. Black was a government civilian for the Department of Defense from 2009-2016. She specialized in Deterrence Analysis and Adversary Decision-making for the United Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Plans and Policy Directorate at Offutt Air Force Base. During her time at USSTRATCOM, she provided analysis and recommendations to senior leaders on decision-making strategy, deterring state and non-state actors, and regional expertise. Additionally, she initiated and directed the Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance, recruiting over 35 academic institutions to the program. This program provides a platform for defense and academic organizations to communicate and collaborate on research issues regarding Deterrence and Assurance. 

Prior to her government civilian work, Dr. Black worked in Psychological Operations from 2001-2009 as U.S. Army Special Operations NCO (Airborne) for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and later as a Defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dr. Black earned her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln in 2016. She also earned an M.S. in Negotiation and Dispute Resolution from Creighton University (2009), a Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst College (2007), an M.S. in International Relations from Troy University (2005), and B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from the University of Iowa (2001).

Teaching Interests

Dr. Black teaches in the areas of security studies, specifically: U.S. Foreign Policy; Political Violence, Insurgency and Terrorism; Intelligence and National Security; Deterrence Theory; Political Analysis; Middle East Politics; and International Leadership and Strategy. Additionally, Dr. Black provides lectures and coursework to the Department of Defense (DoD) for senior-level officials through NSRI, and is a frequent contributor to community courses and symposiums.

UNO Courses:

PSCI 2000 – Political Analysis

PSCI 3260/8265 – U.S. Foreign Policy

PSCI 4210/8216 - International Relations of the Middle East

PSCI 4250/8256 – Intelligence and National Security

PSCI 4556/8556 – Political Violence, Insurgency and Terrorism

PSCI 4920 – Special Topics: Middle East Politics

PSCI 8220 – International Leadership and Strategy

  

DoD Courses:

Strategic Deterrence - USSTRATCOM Fellows

Nuclear Deterrence 300/400 – Deterrence in the 21stCentury

Nuclear Deterrence 400 – Adversary Decision-making and Deterrence Case Analysis

 

Community Courses:

International and Cyber Security – Chuck Hagel Symposium in Public Service

U.S. Military Influence in World Politics – Nebraska Civic Leadership Program (NCLP)

Interwoven Security: Complications in the Middle East – UNO’s Dual Enrollment Seminar Series

Impact of Islamic State Ideology – Center of Afghanistan Studies (CAS)

Middle East Security Issues – CAS

Insurgency Progression in the Middle East Region – CAS

Terror Networks and Regional Security in South and Central Asia - CAS

 

Research Interests:

Dr. Black’s research interests include: Insurgency Progression Theory, Violent Extremist Organization/Terrorism’s use of online social media, Multi-Actor Deterrence, Deterring state and non-state actors, Deterrence and Assurance Theory and Application, Political Violence, Group Rebellion, Middle East Politics and Security Issues, and Decision-making analysis.

Publications:

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2024). Strengthening DHS Intelligence Analysis Education: Core Competencies, Gaps and Challenges. Book Chapter: Strategic Minds: The role of intelligence education in advancing national security analysis. Forthcoming volume by Tylor and Francis/Routledge.

Michelle Black (2024). Teaching on Deterrence and Nuclear Politics. Oxford Research Encyclopedia of International Studies. Forthcoming in Oxford University Encyclopedia.

Michelle Black, Lana Obradovic, and Deanna House. (2024). Behind the Curve: Challenges Facing the Intelligence and Counterterrorism Workforce. Journal of Cybersecurity, 10(1). DOI:10.1093/cybsec/tyae002

Michelle Black (2023). Multi-Domain Escalation Management: A North Atlantic Treaty Organization Case Study. Defense Studies, 23(3) 421-435. DOI:1080/14702436.2023.2238618.

Kira Graves, Hannah Scott, Kathryn H. Floyd, Kate Thornton, Mallory Lucier-Greer, Sorin Adam Matei, and Michelle Black (2023). Future Hunters Elective at the Command and General Staff Officer College: Exposing Emerging Leaders to the Power of Strategic Foresight.  Journal of Security, Intelligence, and Resilience Education, 16(1).

Michelle Black and Rula Jabbour (2023). Insurgent and terrorist groups’ participation in politics reduces violence. Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict Journal: Pathways towards Terrorism and Genocide. DOI:10.1080/17467586.2023.2182445 

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2022). Multi-Actor Deterrence: Defining the Concept. Æther: A Journal of Strategic Airpower & Spacepower; 1(2), 69-80. https://www.airuniversity.af.edu/Portals/10/AEtherJournal/Journals/Volume-1_Issue-2/Black.pdf.

Michelle Black and Lana Obradovic (2022). Strengthening DHS Intelligence Analysis Education: Core Competencies, Gaps and Challenges. Journal of Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism, 17:1. DOI:10.1080/18335330.2022.2069475.

Heather Kearney and Michelle Black (2020). Identifying leader’s intent: An analysis of Kim Jong-Un. Defense and Security Analysis. Defense & Security Analysis, 36:4, 398-421. DOI: 10.1080/14751798.2020.1857910

Michelle Black (2019) Explaining insurgency progression in Iraq, 2003–2011, Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict, DOI: 10.1080/17467586.2019.1650386

Lana Obradovic & Michelle Black (2019) Teaching Deterrence: A 21st-Century Update, Journal of Political Science Education, DOI: 10.1080/15512169.2019.1575228

Michelle Black (2016) Cyber ethnography: A critical tool for the Department of Defense?, Comparative Strategy, 35:2, 103-113, DOI: 10.1080/01495933.2016.1176456

Michelle Black & Osamah Alhenaki (2015) Business As Usual: The Egyptian-U.S. Intelligence Relationship, Global Security and Intelligence Studies, 1: 1. DOI: 10.18278/gsis.1.1.3

Research Grants:

Principal Investigator on NATO S&T Collaboration Office and NATO Wargaming Branch, ACT (2024)

Principal Investigator on Multi-domain Deterrence (Awarded 2021-2022), NATO ACT

Principal Investigator on Counterterrorism and Intelligence Education, (Awarded 2020- 2021), DHS

Principal Investigator on Multi-Actor Deterrence (Awarded 2021), NSRI IRAD and NU Collaboration Initiative

Co-Principal Investigator (PI) Counter-Terrorism Center (Awarded 2020-2030), DHS

Principal Investigator on Enabling Coherent Deterrence Concept Development, Deterrence Research (Awarded June 2019-2020), NATO ACT

Principal Investigator on Air Force Deterrence Coursework Development and Education (Awarded 2017-2019), Air Force Global Strike, Department of the Air Force

Co-Principal Investigator (PI) Investigator for Research and Development of Information Operations JMEM (2009-2010), OSD(I) and USSTRATCOM. 

Media:

Bridging defense gaps: Military-polysci perspective yields deep insight

Dr. Michelle Black - The Chuck Hagel Forum in Global Leadership

NATO-funded Project Explores New Deterrence Methodology

National Counterterrorism program, based at UNO with $36.5 Million, Dr. Michelle Black will serve as director of workforce development. 

DHS Selects University of Nebraska Omaha to Lead Terrorism Research

UNO Experts: Strikes might subside, but war of words will continue. Assistant Professor Michelle Black, KETV

What will Iran do next? Assistant Professor Michelle Black, KETV

NATO grant opens door for student research with international implications: Dr. Michelle Black Awarded Research Grant

Deterrence, Assurance Conference Highlights Excellence in National Security: Dr. Michelle Black

Faculty Focus: Michelle Black, University of Nebraska Omaha

Adjunct to Professor: Michelle Black, The Gateway

Dr. Michelle Black: Former PSYOP, University of Nebraska Omaha, Alumni Association

Follow Dr. Michelle Black on Twitter

 

Additional Information

Office Hours: Advising or Meeting Curriculum Vitae Background

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