How can we better understand the current threat landscape through interviews?

So What?

In a previous NCITE project, researchers working with counterterrorism experts identified several limitations of existing datasets on terrorism and other forms of violence in the U.S. Another project involved interviews with election workers who had been targeted by violence. Both projects seek to provide a greater understanding of the current threat environment in national security and electoral contexts.

Project Summary

This project will expand and build on the work of the two previous NCITE research projects. The research team will interview academics who have created datasets related to terrorism in the U.S.. The team will also interview election officials who have been targeted with violence, widening the scope of interviews to the southern, midwestern, and western U.S.

Purpose/Objectives

The project will serve as an opportunity to explore ways to enhance collaboration between academia and the counterterrorism community. By leveraging the expertise and research capabilities of these two communities, policymakers can develop more informed, evidence-based approaches to address complex security challenges.

Method

The project is divided into two main objectives:

• Interviews with Dataset Creators
  • The first objective for the proposed Year 5 effort seeks to complete a minimum of 10 interviews with the creators of datasets analyzing terrorism in the U.S. The interview questions will focus on the types of data commonly utilized by academics and practitioners, any challenges or limitations encountered in accessing or utilizing data, and the types of data that participants believe would be beneficial in addressing future terrorism threats.
• Phase II: Interviews with Local Election Officials
  • The second objective for the proposed Year 5 effort seeks to complete a minimum of 10 interviews with current and former election officials. Participants will be recruited throughout the southern, midwestern, and western U.S. Questions will focus on the nature of electoral violence from the perspective of the victims. Interviews will explore the risk of exposure, potential barriers (e.g., social, psychological, financial, or technological) to reporting suspicious activities, and the participant’s experience.

Reports and Publications

The Consequences of "True Threats" Among Local Election Officials This handout identifies the effects of threats and physical harassment on election officials.

Steven Windisch, Ph.D. University of Arkansas Assistant Professor of Sociology and Criminology Associate Director, Crime and Data Analytics Lab (CASDAL)