About Michelle Black, Ph.D.
Michelle Black is an associate professor of political science, with over seventeen years of experience working for the U.S. Department of Defense as a servicemember and civilian.
She currently serves as co-director for the University of Nebraska Deterrence Lab, a researcher for the National Counterterrorism Innovation Technology and Education (NCITE) Center, a research fellow for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and co-editor-in-chief for Space & Defense Journal. She researches deterrence, international security, intelligence, counterterrorism, political violence, and Middle East politics.
Dr. Black and her team work closely with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other security organizations.
She publishes her work in leading books and journals such as the Oxford Research Encyclopedia, Journal of Cybersecurity, Defense Studies, Journal of Policing, Intelligence, and Counter Terrorism, and Defense Security Analysis. She is currently writing a new book with Wiley-Blackwell that focuses on developing strategies for deterrence planning and operations.
Before joining UNO, Dr. Black was a government civilian for the Department of Defense from 2009-2016. She specialized in Deterrence Analysis and Adversary Decision-making for the United Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Plans and Policy Directorate at Offutt Air Force Base. While at USSTRATCOM, she provided analysis and recommendations to senior leaders on decision-making strategy, deterring state and non-state actors, and regional expertise. Additionally, she initiated and directed the Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance, recruiting over 35 academic institutions to the program. This program provides a platform for defense and educational organizations to communicate and collaborate on research issues regarding Deterrence and Assurance.
Dr. Black also served for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) as a Psychological Operations from 2001-2009 and later as a Defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
Education
- Ph.D. in political science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
- M.S. in negotiation and dispute resolution, Creighton University
- Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst College
- M.S. in international relations, Troy University
- B.A. in cultural anthropology, University of Iowa