Preparedness/Security Experts List

The University of South Carolina Office of Media Relations has prepared a list of faculty experts to address topics related to terrorist attacks on our nation. To reach faculty members listed below, contact the staff member whose name is listed, or call the USC Office of Media Relations at 803-777-5400.

The health of the nation
The terrorist attacks in 2001 led to a comprehensive examination of our nation's healthcare systems to determine how best to prepare a public-health workforce that could recognize and respond to acts of bioterrorism, emerging infectious diseases and public-health emergencies. The Center for Public Health Preparedness (USC-CPHP) at USC's Arnold School of Public Health was one of 19 original centers established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop the public-health workforce needed for the challenges of the 21st century. The USC-CPHP collaborates with other network members to assist state and local health departments, such as the S.C. Department of Health and Environmental Control, to assess public-health preparedness training needs, provide training and evaluate training effectiveness. Dr. Gene Feigly, a USC professor of environmental health sciences, is principal investigator of the grant; Dr. Donna Richter, dean of the Arnold School of Public Health, is co-PI; and Dr. Jane Richter is the center's director. To learn more about the center's activities and programs, go to http://www.sph.sc.edu/acphp/default.htm. (Karen Petit)

Implementing disaster response
From 2002 - 04, the Institute for Terrorism Response and Preparedness at USC's Arnold School of Public Health, conducted training for state leaders and emergency-preparedness and public-health professionals charged with implementing disaster and emergency-response plans. Dr. Lee Pearson, director of special projects at USC's Arnold School of Public Health and former director of the institute, now leads the S.C. Homeland Security Exercise Program, funded by the state of South Carolina, to train first responders for terrorist attacks involving weapons of mass destruction. USC is a partner with Unitech Corp. in Charleston for this training. (Karen Petit)

Tracking terrorist activities on the Internet
A research group led by Dr. Joseph Johnson in USC's department of physics and astronomy has received more than $2 million from the Defense Advanced Response Projects Agency to help detect attacks and intrusions in Internet traffic, including changes that might suggest terrorist activity. Johnson, an adviser to NATO, has spoken internationally about the problem of cybersecurity and has developed software through Advanced Solutions Group, a research and development company at USC, to detect computer network changes that affect information security. (Karen Petit)

Terrorism, counter-terrorism and planning for disasters
Dr. Susan Cutter, a Carolina Distinguished Professor of Geography, is one of the nation's leading authorities on hazards, man-made and natural. In January 2005, she was tapped by the Department of Homeland Security to co-lead a U.S.-sponsored social and behavioral research center dedicated to reducing worldwide terrorism. The $12 million center is named the Homeland Security Center for Excellence for Behavioral and Social Research on Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism. Cutter is director of USC's Hazards Research Laboratory, where she conducts funded field research. In response to the 9-11 terrorist attack, she led a team of USC researchers to New York City to examine the use of geographical information systems and remote sensing used in the World Trade Center rescue and relief efforts. Cutter can discuss her 9-11 research and all aspects of disaster preparedness and response and social vulnerability in a post-9-11 world. She is a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and past president of the Association of American Geographers. (Peggy Binette) E-mail: scutter@gwm.sc.edu.

Counter-terrorism and policing world society
Dr. Mathieu Deflem, an associate professor of sociology, researches international police cooperation and the law-enforcement agencies involved in counter-terrorism. He is the author of the 2002 book, "Policing World Society," and the editor of "Terrorism and Counter-Terrorism: Criminological Perspectives," which appeared in 2004. He can discuss international police cooperation and counter-terrorism efforts as they relate to security and law-enforcement organizations such as the FBI, CIA, Europol and Interpol; the policing of internationals at home and abroad; and how police agencies have evolved to meet the demands of terrorist groups and the threats they present to world security prior to and since 9-11. Deflem has conducted research visits in Israel and at Europol's anti-terrorism office in The Hague. (Peggy Binette) E-mail: deflem@gwm.sc.edu; after hours contact 803-256-9116.

Trade and terrorism in a post-9-11 world
Dr. Katherine Barbieri, an associate professor of political science, studies globalization and terrorism, specifically the relationships between trade, security and international business. Barbieri wrote the controversial book, "The Liberal Illusion: Does Trade Promote Peace?" and contends that trade relationships do not promote peace and that countries that trade more with each other are more likely to fight. Barbieri can discuss how free trade and the war on terror are opposing interests; ports security and trade; security and terrorism since 9-11. (Peggy Binette) E-mail: barbierk@gwm.sc.edu.

Middle East history: Putting 9-11 in context
Dr. Kenneth Perkins is a professor of Middle Eastern and North African history. For more than 30 years, Perkins has conducted research and taught courses on Islamic Civilization and the modern history of the Middle East and North Africa. Perkins can provide historical context to the culture, unrest and politics of the Middle East, 9-11 and the war on terror. A prolific author, Perkins has written, translated or edited seven books and has contributed to more than 120 book reviews to scholarly journals. Perkins is president of the American Institute of Maghreb (North African) Studies and is a member of the Middle East Association and the Middle East Institute. (Peggy Binette) E-mail: kp@sc.edu.

War coverage in the age of technology
Charles Bierbauer was CNN's top correspondent in Washington for 20 years before being named dean of the College of Mass Communication and Information Studies in 2002. Bierbauer had recently left CNN at the time of 9-11 but produced and anchored Discovery Channel's live coverage on the night of 9-11 and produced subsequent segments and reported for an hour-long Discovery documentary on the roots of terrorism. Bierbauer can discuss the role of media and security. Specifically, he can address 9-11 and news coverage of the war on terror; the Internet and new media as vehicles for news and information; the proliferation of cable news; security, public policy and the role of media as they relate to the American public; and the lasting impact of 9-11 and how Americans are dealing with it today. (Peggy Binette) E-mail: bierbau@gwm.sc.edu.