IHS Fellows Program
Specialized expertise for critical infrastructure challenges
The Institute for Homeland Security Fellows Program brings specialized expertise to practical challenges in critical infrastructure protection. Through focused research and collaboration with IHS, Fellows advance the Institute’s people-centric approach to strengthening the security and resilience of the systems communities depend on.
What The Program Does
Program Goals
Develop externally funded research programs addressing critical infrastructure challenges.
Support pilot projects and exploratory studies that build a foundation for competitive external funding.
Connect academic expertise with public- and private-sector needs.
Produce useful knowledge for practitioners, organizations, and communities.
How It Works
Program Details
IHS Fellowships are selective, time-limited appointments that support the development of externally funded research programs aligned with the Institute’s mission.
Fellows contribute specialized expertise through pilot projects, exploratory studies, and other applied research initiatives that generate preliminary findings, establish partnerships, and build a foundation for competitive external funding.
4
Fellows in the inaugural cohort
The inaugural cohort includes five fellows whose work connects academic expertise with practical challenges in critical infrastructure security and resilience.
Becomiing a Fellow
Selection and Participation
Prospective Fellows may be identified through any of three pathways.
01
Invitation
Identified and invited by IHS.
02
Nomination
Nominated for consideration.
03
Expression of Interest
Reach out to share your interest.
Appointments
Appointments are made at the discretion of IHS leadership, based on relevant expertise and alignment with the IHS mission & priorities.
Project Scope
Project scope and expectations are developed in coordination with IHS.
Inaugural Cohort
Selection and Participation
Jason Davis
Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications - Research Professor
Dr. Jason Davis is a research professor at Syracuse University's Newhouse School of Public Communications, where he is co-director for the Newhouse Synthetic Media Lab and the Emerging Insight Lab. Currently, his research focuses on AI/ML-based detection of mis- and disinformation, systems for identifying synthetic text, images, audio, and video, and explainability frameworks that support human-in-the-loop decision-making.
Marcus Funk
Sam Houston State University - Professor of Media and Communication
Dr. Marcus Funk is an accomplished scholar, journalist and podcast junkie. As the communications director for the Institute for Homeland Security, he hosts Structurally Sound, an interdisciplinary podcast on critical infrastructure protection, preservation and resiliency. His fellowship focuses on memetic attacks and the confluence of disinformation, digital media and public trust in critical institutions and media. He also focuses on traditional and emerging communications infrastructure, including AM/FM radio and generative artificial intelligence.
Alexendar Kinney
Oberline College - Assistant Professor of Sociology
Alexander B. Kinney, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology at Oberlin College. He has a sustained research focus on organizational decision making in sectors operating under conflicting laws and regulatory expectations. His scholarly work has been published in Social Problems, Crime & Delinquency, and Law & Policy, among other journals.
Peter Lehmann
Affilitation
Bio Coming Soon!