Combating terrorism has grown more urgent, difficult, and complex.
That’s why getting the right tools and practices into the hands of front-line counterterrorism workers is so important.
NCITE’s mission is to take down silos and streamline the process to put research into product and practice. The sheer scope of the threat environment outlined by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security calls for a customer-driven, relentless academic pursuit.
NCITE aims to be a leading national resource that brings together some of the best minds and cutting-edge ideas around the field of counterterrorism.
NCITE is the hub for:
50+ researchers from 26 academic institutions working on 20 focused projects.
Their focus centers on four main themes:
Theme 1: The Nature of Counterterrorism and Targeted Violence Operations
How can we spot new technologies terrorists could use?
Gary Ackerman – University at Albany
How does today's threat environment influence the threat of terrorism?
Martha Crenshaw – Stanford University
How will extremists use the metaverse?
Sam Hunter – UNO
Scarlett Miller – Penn State University
How are platforms like Twitter used by extremist groups?
Matthew Jensen – Univeristy of Oklahoma
Shaila Miranda – Univeristy of Oklahoma
Shane Connelly – Univeristy of Oklahoma
How do the traits and backgrounds of recruits play a role in terrorist organizing?
Evan Perkoski – University of Connecticut
Meredith Loken – University of Massachusetts - Amherst
Alec Worsnop – University of Maryland
What threats are public officials facing?
Pete Simi – Chapman University
Seamus Hughes – George Washington University Program on Extremism
How does political discourse turn violent during elections?
Adan Vela – University of Central Florida
Steven Windisch – Temple University
What is the current violent extremist threat to the U.S. homeland?
Lorenzo Vidino – George Washington University Program on Extremism
Seamus Hughes – George Washington University Program on Extremism
Theme 2: Strengthening the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative
How effective is SAR in detecting cybercrime?
Thomas Holt – Michigan State University
Steven Chermak – Michigan State University
Joshua Freilich – City University of New York
Theme 3: Preventing Terrorism and Targeted Violence
How can DHS partner with families of extremists to reduce recidivism?
Karyn Sporer – University of Maine
Theme 4: Research on Counterterrorism and Targeted Violence Workforce Development
How can the intelligence community improve training to prevent terrorism?
Michelle Black – UNO
Lana Obradovic – UNO
Deanna House – UNO
How does studying terrorism affect the workforce?
Matthew Crayne – University at Albany
Neil Shortland – University of Massachusetts, Lowell
What datasets do the counterterrorism workforce need?
Michael Logan – Kennesaw State University
Steven Windisch – Temple University
How are counterterrorism practitioners affected by exposure to violent material?
Joseph Young – American University
Daisy Muibu – University of Alabama
NCITE Education Projects
How can MBA students help the Homeland Security Enterprise?
Erin Bass – UNO
Erin Pleggenkuhle-Miles – UNO
How can Information Technology students help the Homeland Security Enterprise?
Doug Derrick – UNO
How can we interest more minority students in HSE careers?
Eric Frost – San Diego State University
Lance Larson – San Diego State University
Basic Ordering Agreement (BOA) and Other Projects
What's the impact of TVTP grant programs?
Matt Allen – UNO
How can we reintegrate the families of foreign fighters?
Austin Doctor – UNO
How has the IED threat landscape changed?
Austin Doctor – UNO
How can we evaluate the efficacy of threat assessment tools?
Sam Hunter – UNO
How can we screen for insider threats in law enforcement?
Erin Kearns – UNO
Can a chatbot help identify threats?
Joel Elson – UNO