Wargaming, Social Complexity, and Asymmetric Threats
START’s Wargaming, Social Complexity, and Asymmetric Threats Project explores how modeling, simulation, AI, and wargaming can better capture the human and social dynamics that shape modern conflicts. The project brings together experts across disciplines to improve how we understand and prepare for complex security challenges. Visit the project webpage to learn more and follow updates on new publications.
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE PROJECT
REPORT
Navigating Social Complexity with the Tools We Have
Robert D. Lamb, Ph.D.
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CONFERENCE PAPER
Micro, Meso, Macro: Generic Structures of Social Complexity for Defense Systems Engineering & National Security Wargames
Timothy Clancy, K. J. Oviatt, Valeria Stephens, and Erika Palmer
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START SPOTLIGHTS
START Journeys: Alumni in Focus
After eight years in Special Operations with the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, Carimaxy Benitez pursued START’s MPS program to deepen her understanding of terrorism and security. Now a Program Manager with the U.S. Senate Sergeant at Arms, she credits START for sharpening her analytical and strategic skills that advance her work in national security. Read the spotlight
Staff Spotlight: Liberty Day
Meet Liberty Day, START’s Program Director for Education and Training, whose career reflects a deep commitment to public service and a passion for empowering others through learning. In this spotlight, she shares how her professional journey has been driven by a belief in the transformative power of knowledge, collaboration, and community-rooted solutions. Read the spotlight
WINTER 2026 ONLINE COURSES
Join START online January 5-23, 2026
Special Topics in Terrorism Studies: Misinformation, Conspiracy Theories, and the Radicalization of Modern Societies
Credits: 3 | Max Erdemandi
Special Topics in Terrorism Studies: Al-Qaeda, the Islamic State, and Global Jihadist Movement
Credits: 3 | Jason Blazakis
Individual Study in Terrorism Studies: Social Network Analysis for Terrorism
Credits: 1 | Michael Egnoto
LEARN MORE ABOUT THE COURSES
If you have any questions, contact the Education Team at education-start@umd.edu.
START IN THE NEWS
The 26 Countries Where the Most Americans Are Killed by Terrorists
24/7 Wall St - Global Terrorism Database mentioned
Extremists Exploit Political ‘Trigger Events’ to Recruit People Online, Says Study
The Guardian - START mentioned
VIEW ALL MEDIA COVERAGE
SUPPORTING START
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.