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Ongoing Research Areas


Complex individual and group behavior in potentially violent contexts. We draw on findings from psychology, sociology, social movement theory, and others to integrate diverse drivers of human behavior into a single metamodel of behavior: emotions, needs, cognitive processes, identity, social influence, propensity for violence, cultural norms, nature of identity threat in daily life, how social identities incorporate a sense of fear against outsiders examined along economic, cultural, or leadership variables, weapons use by crowd participants. Use case studies of protests, other video evidence and experimental results to enhance validity of meta-model.

Agent-based simulation modeling of civilian and security force interactions. Constructed WRENCH agent-based simulation model that enables exploration of effects of using various combinations of IFCs under different ROEs for managing crowds with different characteristics. Can be used interactively or as a constructive simulation. Created interface to enable running of large-scale data farming experiments. Continuous improvement of simulation is ongoing.

Intermediate force capabilities (non-lethal or less-lethal weapons) effects. Researching weapons effects on civilian crowds, interactions between security force and crowd, specific analysis of flash-bang devices on group and crowd dynamics when used for crowd control, using publicly available videos to analyze crowd dynamics between security forces and civilians, effects of intermediate force or less-lethal weapons on social identity dynamics in crowds.

Modeling security forces. Modeling human complexities of security force members, emotional and cognitive drivers, exploring differences between civilian people and those operating as part of a security force, social identities among security forces and the circumstances for changing identities and behavioral norms, will-to-fight considerations.

Expanding simulation scenarios. Exploring adaptation of simulation model to border security, disaster response, and humanitarian operations scenarios.

Protesting Crowd May 29, 2020 in Washington, DC

Protesting Crowd; May 29, 2020; Washington, DC;
Photo credit: Shutterstock

National Guard; June 6, 2020; Washington, DC

National Guard; June 6, 2020; Washington, DC
Photo credit: Shutterstock

Stun Grenade; August 13, 2020; Kyiv, Ukraine

Stun Grenade; August 13, 2020; Kyiv, Ukraine
Photo credit: Shutterstock