Latest Developments
Project- Currently I am overseeing the empirical data gathering component of the targeting energy infrastructure (TEI) project. In line with this project, the primary goal for 2011 is to complete the development of the Energy Infrastructure Attack Database (EIAD), a comprehensive open-source dataset that will systematically organize information on reported attacks to energy infrastructure that have been carried out by non-state actors. EIAD will lay the empirical foundation for performing future analysis on threats to global energy supply chains. Coding of the data will take place throughout the summer with the hopes to launch in early 2012.
Research
- While I continue my research on the targeting behaviors of violent non-state groups, I have begun to develop another research track that is anchored in the area of complexity studies and its applicability to new risks as well as emerging security concepts such as resilience. On a practical side I am particular interested in how people use new media in complex crisis situations.
Writing
- Currently: Putting the final touches 2 reports - one that looks at threat assessment methodologies in cybersecurity (drawing a lot from complexity science for this one) and another that is a case study on the crisis communication efforts following the 2011 Tsunami in Japan (in particular my colleague and I are looking at the democratization of crisis communication as displayed through the use of media in the crisis)
- Sept-Oct: Working with a colleague on an academic paper that examines the resource curse theory in the case of Nigeria. This paper will be presented at the November 2011 Workshop "Money Makers as Peace Makers: The Role of Business in Conflict Zones" in Basel, Switzerland
- Oct-Nov: drafting a policy brief on crisis mapping, to be published in November 2011
"The oneness of human beings is the basic ethical thread that holds us together." Muhammad Yunus
"Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever." Ghandi