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PACER Tribal Colleges & Universities Research Scholars Program

Principal Investigator: Lauren Sauer, MS.

During the course of the upcoming two years, PACER will dedicate effort and funding to create an undergraduate research training program specifically targeted at underserved Tribal Colleges and Universities in geographic areas that do not receive significant grant funding or support from DHS specifically or the Federal Government in general. PACER will collaborate with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) on this initiative, as well as will seek collaboration with the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) and the National Native American Law Enforcement Association (NNALEA) to identify specific areas of homeland security education needs. We will also work closely with the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties and as appropriate with the White House Office of Native American Affairs and other interested agencies. As part of PACER's commitment to invest in the training of a future, diverse workforce, with the skills necessary to succeed in homeland security related research fields, we will recognize and support outstanding undergraduates from two of the nation's Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs). Currently there are no graduate level programs among the TCU. This program will seek out students within six semesters of graduating (typically juniors and seniors at 4-year institutions), with a demonstrated interest in conducting academic exploration related to homeland security topics that align well with PACER priorities.

Participants: PACER will select a total of 20 students (10 students per year) from among those who apply to participate in our TCU Research Scholars Program. As part of their application, in describing the research project they seek to undertake, students must demonstrate an interest in homeland security issues as well as in pursuing future education, training, and employment opportunities in a homeland security related field. Project types may include comparative reviews/analyses, meta-analyses, collection of primary data, analysis of primary and/or secondary data, etc. In addition, they must identity a faculty mentor who will oversee and guide their research project. Up to 20 mentors (10 per year) will be identified (with the expectation that one faculty member may elect to mentor more than one student applicant). Applications will be reviewed by a convened internal expert review panel.

Initial Award Package: As part of the award package, PACER will provide a(an):

• $1,000 stipend to selected students to be used to cover costs associated with undertaking an independent research project (including, for example, time, travel, supplies, photocopies, book purchases, data set purchase, etc.);
• Internet-ready laptop computer, carrying case, and accessories to each selected student. Laptops are designed to assist the students' research. Students will keep the laptops after the conclusion of their research to help further their education and promote PACER in the community;
• Research Book Bag to each awarded student, which will provide a collection of highly regarded research texts identified by experts in the field as useful in helping inform and guide the student research process and assisting with the undertaking of a rigorous research project;
• Institutional access to the Films in Humanities and Sciences Research Methods in Social Sciences web-based series. Each partnering institution will receive 3-year access to this on-line series consisting of four modules: Introduction to Designing Experiments, Organizing Quantitative Data, Inferential Statistics, and Exploring Qualitative Methods. Films can be viewed by faculty and students alike to aid in the instruction of all students with in the TCU, not just selected scholars, in research methods;
• Each research mentor with a stipend to offset their time and any associated expenses; and
• Each research mentor with the opportunity to participate in an informational training session to be held on-site at their Institution, conducted by a Hopkins Trainer, related to overseeing and supporting in-depth student research projects.

Creation of a Society for Disaster Health

Principal Investigators: Gabor D. Kelen, MD

Introduction: One overarching policy development is the creation of a new discipline of Disaster Health called for by HSPD-21. The establishment of this field would be greatly aided by the formation of a society to promote its development and interests. Such a society is envisioned to be inclusive of all fields related to disaster health (e.g. medicine, public health, nursing, EMS, first responders, etc.). It is envisioned that similar to other professional societies, this society will engage in promoting academic advancement and the professions involved across multiple disciplines, training at many levels, and advocacy.

Apart from research efforts in support of HSPD-21, PACER will engage in developing such a professional society promoting research, education, policy, and advocacy for disaster medicine and public health preparedness. We envision that – similar to other professional societies – this society will engage in promoting and sponsoring academic advancement of the science itself and of the professionals and academicians involved in Disaster Health. Such a society will also serve to advocate for and promote the research and educational efforts of all of DHS's Centers of Excellence. PACER support for this endeavor includes only administrative support to help establish the society.