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National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism: Progress Thus Far

NCJ Number
220738
Journal
JRSA Forum Volume: 25 Issue: 3 Dated: September 2007 Pages: 1,6,8
Editor(s)
Karen Maline
Date Published
September 2007
Length
4 pages
Annotation
This report provides an overview of how the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has supported the needs of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) while advancing basic science on the behavioral and social aspects of terrorism and counterterrorism.
Abstract
In the space of 2 short years, the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) has implemented an ambitious and far-ranging research program in an attempt to answer some of the questions surrounding the causes, conduct, and consequences of terrorism. As START matures, its research will evolve in response to changes in the nature of the terrorist threat. The START consortium is committed to the continued collection of extensive empirical data, the application of cutting-edge social and behavioral science methods to analyze these data, and the use of social science theories to interpret and communicate the results to both the homeland security community and the public. START was launched in 2005. Since its inception, START has focused on advancing knowledge about the human causes and consequences of terrorism, developing resources and tools to support homeland security professionals, and training the current and future homeland security workforce. START is directly supporting 37 interrelated research projects. START’s mission is to apply the theories, concepts, and methods of the behavioral and social sciences to advance understanding related to three primary areas: the formation of terrorist groups; the behavior and dynamics of terrorists groups; and societal responses to terrorism. This report provides a brief overview of how START has supported the needs of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Samples of the 2-year accomplishments of each of START’s three core research areas are provided.