Latest Developments
Project- Currently working on 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 (by non-state actors) to global energy supply chains. Hoping for a beta-launch in early 2012.
- Travel Update: Will be in Washington DC April 16-25 to present initial findings of EIAD at the University of Maryland with additional side meetings. Get in touch if you would like to meet to discuss EIAD and the project in general!
Media
- Interviews on the latest developments vis-a-vis the security situation in Nigeria. In particular, Reuters articles here and here
- 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.
- See November 2011 policy brief "Crisis Mapping: A Phenomenon and Tool in Emergencies" (co-authored with Myriam Dunn-Cavelty)
- Currently drafting report that looks specifically at the crisis mapping phenomenon from a behavioral perspective (incorporating both complex adaptive systems and social convergence theories)
- Upcoming: Attending an authors workshop in California in April 2012 to present a paper on how youth movements in Nigeria are using new media tools for non-violent political mobilization ; Finalized 2 reports: One that critiques threat assessment methodologies in cybersecurity and another that is a case study on the crisis communication efforts following the 2011 Tsunami in Japan. Both will be out in early 2012
- Ongoing: In November 2011, I collaborated with Swiss peace and the Peace Research Institute in Frankfurt to host the Workshop "Money Makers as Peace Makers: The Role of Business in Conflict Zones" - which took place in Basel, Switzerland. We are now in the publishing phase of this project where select papers will be featured in a joint publication (Date TBD - late 2012/early 2013).