The Impacts and Benefits of Engaging STEM Students in Maritime Security Research

2015 ◽  
Vol 49 (4) ◽  
pp. 45-52
Author(s):  
Beth Austin-DeFares ◽  
Barry Bunin
Keyword(s):  
Homeland Security ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Maritime Security ◽  
Student Interest ◽  
Student Survey ◽  
Centers Of Excellence ◽  
Student Research ◽  
Department Of Homeland Security ◽  
Survey Responses ◽  
Academic Study

AbstractThe Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has created university-based Centers of Excellence—each focused on a unique homeland security need. As described in this article, the Maritime Security Center (MSC), formerly the Center for Secure and Resilient Maritime Commerce, a DHS Center of Excellence in Port and Maritime Security, has developed a summer research program with the objective of enhancing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) student interest in advanced academic study and careers in the maritime homeland security domain. Student research projects have focused on the use of sensor technologies (e.g., passive acoustics, electro-optics, radar, and satellites) to detect surface vessels and modeling and simulation tools to advance the situational awareness of homeland security practitioners and first responders. Student research outcomes from the maritime security-centric Summer Research Institute (SRI) have resulted in the development of new tools and technologies for homeland security professionals, co-authored papers, and presentations at conferences, and have inspired robust relationships between researchers and the maritime homeland security community. Student survey responses and follow-up communications with program alumni confirm the impacts of the SRI program on enhancing their professional development and interest in academic study and careers in homeland security.

Maritime Security Summer Research Institute

2014 ◽  
pp. 100-123
Author(s):  
Beth Austin-DeFares ◽  
Julie Pullen ◽  
Barry Bunin
Keyword(s):  
Homeland Security ◽  
Maritime Security ◽  
Port Security ◽  
Department Of Homeland Security ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Student Teams ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Institute Of Technology ◽  
Summer Research Program ◽  
Research Institute

In its efforts to respond to national workforce imperatives and central to its mission as a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Center of Excellence in Port Security, the Center for Secure and Resilient Maritime Commerce (CSR), led by Stevens Institute of Technology, has created an intensive summer research program tailored to undergraduate and graduate-level students. The Summer Research Institute (SRI) is designed to engage multidisciplinary student teams in rigorous, hands-on research in collaboration with the Center's researchers and industry and government partners. The research fields include maritime security, remote sensing technologies, emergency response and management, and Marine Transportation System (MTS) resilience. The program aims to enhance the professional development of students while increasing their interest in advanced academic study and careers in the maritime/homeland security domain.

Makah IndianTribe – U.S. Coast Guard Memorandum of Agreement A Model for Meaningful Tribal-Federal Engagement

2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 (1) ◽  
pp. 300663
Author(s):  
Chad Bowechop ◽  
Andrew Connor ◽  
Scott Knutson ◽  
Heather A. Parker ◽  
LCDR Lance Lindgren
Keyword(s):  
Oil Spill ◽  
Homeland Security ◽  
Situational Awareness ◽  
Puget Sound ◽  
The United States ◽  
Coast Guard ◽  
Common Interest ◽  
Department Of Homeland Security ◽  
Indian Tribe ◽  
Work List

On 12 April 2013, the Makah Tribal Council Chairman and the District Commander of the 13th Coast Guard District (D13) signed into effect the “Memorandum of Agreement between the United States Coast Guard and the Makah Indian Tribe Regarding Interoperability and Coordination”. The purpose of this “Makah-USCG MOA” is to establish terms by which the two parties will coordinate and collaborate in the fulfillment of their mutual trust responsibility. The MOA's focus is to enhance consultation, improve leveraging of resources within each party's authorities, and improve collective all-hazards prevention and response posture in the Makah Treaty Area. Such an agreement between a federal agency and an Indian tribe is authorized by Executive Order 13175 - Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments, signed in 2000 and is consistent with the 2011 Department of Homeland Security Tribal Consultation Policy. This groundbreaking document represents a 20 year relationship between key members of the Makah Tribe and the oil spill response members of CG D13 and Sector Puget Sound, and the trust developed over that period while working together to mutually support each party's oil spill prevention, preparedness and response readiness, as well as the desire to help and support each other by harmonizing efforts. With recent legislation such as the 2010 Coast Guard Authorization act, authorizing resources to engage tribes into training, exercises and other spill response preparedness activities particularly in the Northwest, it became clear there was a need to memorialize the strong supportive working relationship between the Makah and the CG, and provide some structure to our planning and development efforts. The MOA lays out a minimum of semi-annual meetings during which the two parties discuss overarching items of mutual interest and determine a work list of concrete, achievable goals to complete within the next 6 month period. An initial work list of common interest issues and responsibilities are outlined in the MOA, and fall into three general categories: Prevention; Preparedness and Response. The MOA also addresses the importance of Communication with the goal of enhancing mutual situational awareness via improved communication protocols between the Coast Guard and the Makah Tribe.

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