Background Report: History of Terrorism and the Olympics
Olympic sites of the past four decades have been relatively safe with respect to terrorism, according to a new START Background Report (Download the PDF). The analysis suggests that considerable efforts to reinforce security are generally effective at mitigating any potential threats. Full story…
Database Spotlight: Muslim Public Opinion and Public Opinion in the Islamic World on Terrorism, al Qaeda and U.S. Policies (PIPA)
Researchers from START and the Program on International Policy Attitudes teamed up to release two datasets examining how Islamic extremist groups are received by the larger Muslim society and culture. Full story...
Response to mischaracterization of the Hot Spots Report
Current articles and postings on the Internet have mischaracterized the conclusions of the START report “Hot Spots of Terrorism and Other Crimes in the United States, 1970 to 2008." To be clear, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism does not classify individuals as terrorists or extremists based on ideological perspectives. The report is based on the key premise that the groups and individuals analyzed have actually carried out or attempted to carry out violent attacks in the United States for any political, social, religious or economic goal. This is what qualifies them as terrorists, not their ideological orientation. Full story...
Maritime piracy adds to shipping costs
Piracy has become more economically relevant in recent years, with $12 billion in additional shipping costs added to the global economy every year as a result of piracy. START researcher Brandon Behlendorf discussed the phenomenon during START’s Research Roundtable on maritime piracy. Full story…
Student researches history of terrorism and the Olympics
While viewers of this summer’s Olympics may not give a thought to the possibility of a terrorist attack, Spelman College student Tiara Giddings is basing her summer research project on the subject. She came to START through the Summer Research Initiative, a program offering students of underrepresented minority populations the chance to pursue social science research alongside faculty mentors. Full story...
START interns nominated for DHS award
After participating in a quick turn analysis project last summer, several START interns are getting more than just pats on the back. For contributing to the Strategic National Risk Assessment, they have been nominated for a Science & Technology Impact Award by the Department of Homeland Security. Full story...
START welcomes researcher on nuclear secrecy and control
What would happen if the United States found itself in an arms race consisting of weapons of mass destruction (WMD) proliferation today? That’s what historian Alex Wellerstein sought to answer in a recent talk at START. Full story...
Researcher spotlight: Lauren Pinson
With extensive experience in studying CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) technologies and social science coding, Lauren Pinson is using her background and a Graduate Certificate in Terrorism Studies on a daily basis at START. Full story...
Intern spotlight: Olympics, ambitions and research
From a group of 60 summer interns at START, three weigh in on their rooting interests in the summer Olympics and their passion for terrorism research. Full story...
Naval research lab scientist offers career advice
As part of START’s educational enrichment program, Nathan Meehan, a social scientist for the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, met with interns and instilled a powerful message – pursue what you’re interested in. Full story...
START interns and staff take to the lanes
START hosted a bowling tournament on the University of Maryland campus that pinned staff and interns against one another. Full story...
Mali: World Heritage sites damaged or destroyed in Timbuktu
Local Islamists, currently in control of the region, have attacked Sunni tombs in Timbuktu to protest the practice of worshipping at the tombs of Muslim saints. Full story...
China: Attempted hijacking in Xinjiang leads to tighter security at airports
On June 29, 2012, six passengers on a flight out of Hotan announced that they were taking over the plane. Full story...
Mexico: Pre-election car bomb outside City Hall in Nuevo Laredo
Just days before the polls opened for Mexico’s presidential election, a car bomb was detonated outside of City Hall in Nuevo Laredo. Full story...
India: Suspected organizer of the 2008 Mumbai attacks arrested
One of the suspected organizers of the November 2008 coordinated attacks in Mumbai has been arrested by Indian police. Full story...
Egypt: Bedouins kidnap tourists and promise to continue doing so
A Bedouin, Jirmy Abu-Masuh, held two U.S. citizens hostage in the Sinai region of Egypt and vowed to continue to take hostages until his uncle was released from prison. Full story...
Education Coordinator
The Education Coordinator will work to support the development, maintenance and evaluation of the consortium’s education related initiatives. Apply by July 27.
Research Transition Manager
The Research Transition Manager will manage existing and new efforts to leverage START research with a view to informing, training and educating the current and future homeland security community on issues related to terrorism, counterterrorism and countering violent extremism. Apply by July 27.
Senior Researcher (Faculty)
The START Consortium and the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) at the University of Maryland is currently seeking to hire a faculty member (rank open) who will be half-time at START and half-time in one of the academic departments within BSOS. This is a tenured or tenure stream position. Apply by Sept. 4.
Study down under with START
Undergraduate and graduate students can study how terrorism impacts Australia and the Pacific Rim through a study abroad offered by START in Sydney this winter. Full story…
START interns prepare for capstone presentations
On the first two Fridays of August, START interns will showcase their own capstone projects that put into practice the knowledge and methods they have learned over the course of their internship at the consortium. Full story…
Career profile session with Rohina Phadnis, Aug. 1
As part of the educational enrichment program at START, Rohina Phadnis, a senior consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton, will talk about her extensive experience in the management consulting and international affairs industries. Full story...
Terrorized
In a response to his Foreign Policy magazine article, "Think Again: Al Qaeda," Seth G. Jones mentions he used a START database to investigate attacks by al Qaeda. Full story…
They are just Papuans
START researcher Erica Chenoweth's book “Why Civil Resistance Works” was featured in an article about approaching the recent rise of violence in Papua, Indonesia on Inside Indonesia. Full story…
‘Dark Knight’ shooting: Mass murder up, even while gun violence down
START Director Gary LaFree was quoted in a Huffington Post article about the contrasting rise of mass murder and decline of gun violence over the years. Full story…
This is a selection of news clips from the past month. A complete list of START’s media coverage can be found 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 policy-makers. 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.