A research team is a small group of students, advised by a faculty member, working on a specific question throughout the year. Questions are given at beginning of the year by STRATCOM. Questions are very broad and students are encouraged to narrow the scope and focus on the question.

Throughout the year students create a research paper to be submitted to the Welch Deterrence Writing Competition, as well as a presentation to present at various conferences including Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA) and the summer deterrence symposium.

Opportunities provided through the research team include networking with intelligence community professionals, experience writing and briefing as a team, critical thinking and exploration into a specific topic, and forming professional relationships with faculty members.

  • Teach students how to conduct research in a team
  • Create a timeline, research plan, and stick to it
  • Think critically about questions and how best to answer them
  • Develop a comprehensive brief of research