Gordon Institute to launch research hub focused on security

The Jack D. Gordon Institute for Public Policy at FIU’s Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs is set to launch a research hub focused on security.

The Security Research Hub will create an objective, independent and open virtual community comprised of academic institutions, think tanks, government agencies, civil society organizations as well as public and private sectors from around the world, promoting research collaboration, data sharing, training, education and a shared understanding of security issues facing the hemisphere.

“It is of utmost importance to build bridges between the production of new knowledge and decision-making processes that can transform our Hemisphere. This project allows that—the construction of safer, better integrated and prosperous societies free of fear and free of want,” said former Costa Rica President Luis G. Solis, interim director of FIU's Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center.

The hub is led by the Gordon Institute in collaboration with other key units across from FIU, including the Kimberly Green Latin America and Caribbean Center, Geographic Information Systems Center, the School of Computing and Information Sciences, FIU Libraries and the National Forensic Science Training Center. MITRE Corporation and Southern Command are also partnering in this initiative.

“This research hub leverages technology, open-source data, and the intellectual capital of academia, NGOs and individual citizens. By making data accessible, we are 'open-sourcing' the problem set, which will promote new insights and solutions. This partnership with FIU is a significant step toward democratizing data and harnessing innovation,” said Ambassador Jean Manes, former U.S. ambassador to El Salvador and current civilian deputy to the commander and foreign policy advisor of U.S. Southern Command.  

 A critical objective of the hub is to bring together a broad community dedicated to understanding and preserving the security interests of the hemisphere. The topics to be researched include transnational organized crime and illicit trafficking, cyber threats, migration and pandemics.

“Ultimately, the scope of security issues will largely be driven by the hub’s user community. Our intent is to leverage the hub’s user community to bring attention to the most pervasive and prevailing security challenges facing our hemisphere,” said Brian Fonseca, director of the Gordon Institute. 

The Security Research Hub marks the latest initiative between FIU, MITRE and Southern Command. It is set to launch in Summer 2021 with an interactive website that will be regularly updated with findings from the community.