Homeland security knowledgeNew academic homeland security journal launched

Published 26 April 2012

The inaugural issue of a new academic, peer-reviewed journal — the Journal of Homeland Security Education (JHSE)— is out; JHSE will focus on innovative concepts and models, strategies, technical tools, and theoretical and observational analyses; it also provides a platform for translational research that connects education to practice

A new publication, the Journal of Homeland Security Education (JHSE), has just been launched, and the inaugural issue is out. The JHSE will offer peer-reviewed articles on the latest in homeland security education, resources, and communication. The journal is directed at educational institutions and individuals throughout the United States.

The editors say that the JHSE focuses on innovative concepts and models, strategies, technical tools, and theoretical and observational analyses. It also provides a platform for translational research that connects education to practice.

“This field of study is a new one, but one that is growing exponentially due to both terrorist activity here and abroad and an uptick in natural disasters, beginning with Hurricane Katrina and ending with the recent rise in tornados around the country,” said Dr. Michelle Majewski, the journal’s editor-in-chief.

“There is a great need to educate community and government leaders about disaster preparedness and mitigation and the more long term aspect of resilience for communities who need to bounce back for the sake of their citizens and their economies” (see her “Welcome” note in the inaugural issue).

The JHSE was developed at Marian University of Wisconsin. It is edited by Dr. Majewski, a professor of psychology, dean of the university’s School of Criminal Justice, and director of the Institute for Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

Majewski notes that the JHSE is a product of the growth of homeland security programs at colleges and universities throughout the United States.

The editors note that with the recent development of so many degree programs, the university saw a need for academics to develop the homeland security body of knowledge and to form a theoretical basis for the profession that will guide curriculum development.

Future issues will have articles concerning accreditation, applied and basic research, assessment, textbook reviews, a practitioner’s corner, and articles on theory development. The first issue contains the following articles:

— Cristina D. Ramirez and Gail A. Rioux, “Advancing Curricula Development for Homeland Security Education Through a Survey of DHS Personnel”

— R. Jeffery Maxfield and John Robert Fisher, “Employing Critical Reflection in an Online Emergency Services Course”

— Ygnacio Flores, “Homeland Security: The Community College Role in Law Enforcement Training and Readiness”