Is this project an undergraduate, graduate, or faculty project?
Undergraduate
Project Type
group
Campus
Daytona Beach
Authors' Class Standing
Jonathan Ellis, Senior
Lead Presenter's Name
Jonathan Ellis
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Zorri
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Abstract
PI: Jonathan Ellis, Student, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Co-PIs/Research Team: Student Team, Spring 2021, Introduction to Homeland Security 110-01 Daytona Beach, FL
Presentation: Countering domestic violent extremism through a whole-of-society approach, a case study of first- and second-year college students and renewed inclusivity
Domestic terrorists represent a growing share of the threat Americans face today. Domestic terrorists include racially- and ethnically motivated violent extremism, antigovernment and anti-authority violent extremism, and other violent extremist ideologies. The situation surrounding COVID-19 has also created an environment that could accelerate some individuals’ mobilization to targeted violence or terrorist activities. This project takes a whole-of-society approach to identify and prevent targeted violence anywhere and in any form. Using funding from a government agency, the HS-110 class at Daytona Beach was challenged to consider not only how they might counter targeted violence and terrorism but also how to empower positive initiatives that advocate for community connectedness and inclusivity. The research encompassed in this study targets college students in their first and second years, who may be spending time more time indoors due to COVID restrictions, and therefore are statistically more likely to be influenced and/or targeted by nefarious online groups. The researchers also identified a benchmark of existing audience sentiment, determined their attitudes, and the behavior change they desired. Through a strategic outreach program, the research team challenged students to spend time doing an activity away from their computers, and incentivized that activity through branding, competition, and an award structure. They then used a combination of tools to periodically examine progress and examine whether or not there had been an attitudinal shift, behavior change, and/or conversion to action within the defined target audience.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, Collaborative, Climbing, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
No
Countering Domestic Violent Extremism Through a Whole-of-society Approach
PI: Jonathan Ellis, Student, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
Co-PIs/Research Team: Student Team, Spring 2021, Introduction to Homeland Security 110-01 Daytona Beach, FL
Presentation: Countering domestic violent extremism through a whole-of-society approach, a case study of first- and second-year college students and renewed inclusivity
Domestic terrorists represent a growing share of the threat Americans face today. Domestic terrorists include racially- and ethnically motivated violent extremism, antigovernment and anti-authority violent extremism, and other violent extremist ideologies. The situation surrounding COVID-19 has also created an environment that could accelerate some individuals’ mobilization to targeted violence or terrorist activities. This project takes a whole-of-society approach to identify and prevent targeted violence anywhere and in any form. Using funding from a government agency, the HS-110 class at Daytona Beach was challenged to consider not only how they might counter targeted violence and terrorism but also how to empower positive initiatives that advocate for community connectedness and inclusivity. The research encompassed in this study targets college students in their first and second years, who may be spending time more time indoors due to COVID restrictions, and therefore are statistically more likely to be influenced and/or targeted by nefarious online groups. The researchers also identified a benchmark of existing audience sentiment, determined their attitudes, and the behavior change they desired. Through a strategic outreach program, the research team challenged students to spend time doing an activity away from their computers, and incentivized that activity through branding, competition, and an award structure. They then used a combination of tools to periodically examine progress and examine whether or not there had been an attitudinal shift, behavior change, and/or conversion to action within the defined target audience.