UNDERSTANDING TERRORISM

Understanding Terrorism



Understanding Terrorism

The Hart-Rudman report, “Road Map for National Security: Imperative for Change” (February 15, 2001), contains an extensive analysis of the current capability of the United States to respond to threats to homeland security as well as the strength of the national scientific enterprise. The report made significant recommendations for improvements in these areas, including an enhanced role for the National Science Foundation in the stewardship of the national scientific research and education programs. The Advisory Committee of the NSF Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate reviewed the issues in the Hart-Rudman report focusing on Improving Homeland Security and Recapitalizing America's Strength in Science and Education. This white paper presents recommendations to the NSF/MPS Directorate, and is intended to be a catalyst for further planning. The National Science Foundation, and in particular, the MPS Directorate, should expand its role as a steward of America's science research capability. NSF/MPS should continue to focus on its strength in basic research, while responding to issues of national priority, such as homeland security and science education. The MPS Directorate should play a leadership role in convening a strategic meeting with other agencies to discuss domains of interest and to establish means of coordination of activities. The MPS Directorate should create and maintain an inventory of the research activities and capabilities in the fields that it covers. The inventory would start with current and recent grant awardees, but subsequently should be expanded. Having such an inventory will enable an assessment of existing activities and their support. The MPS Directorate should take actions that will support the formation and maintenance of an active, national community involved in carrying out research in areas relevant to homeland security. Actions could include workshops, communications at national meetings and solicitations for exploratory proposals.

The MPS Directorate should conduct a set of open workshops to define actions that will support the recapitalization of America's strength in science and education. A cross-directorate Steering Committee should be formed to plan these workshops. The result of these workshops should be a detailed implementation plan.

References

Andersen, Martin Edwin (2003). “Local Responders Howl at DHS Emergency Management Plan” Congressional Quarterly Homeland Security - Local Response (August 8).

Badey, Thomas J., ed. (2004). Annual Editions: Homeland Security 04/05 (Guilford, CT: McGraw-Hill/Duskin, 2004).

Bea, Keith, and Henry Hogue (2006). FEMA Reorganization Legislation in the 109th Congress, Congressional Research Service, RL 33522, July 7.