The most dangerous threats are the ones you don't see coming. Join NCITE for an upcoming webinar discussing newly published research that explores how to protect individuals and organizations from novel threats. Tune in at 10 a.m. CT/11 a.m. ET, Thursday, Sept. 19. The event will be moderated by NCITE Director Gina Ligon, Ph.D.

Panelists are:

Sam Hunter, Ph.D.
Head of Strategic Initiatives | NCITE

Sam Hunter is the Regents-Foundation Professor of Industrial and Organizational Psychology at the University of Nebraska at Omaha and head of strategic initiatives at NCITE. He is a fellow at the Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology (SIOP) and the National Strategic Research Institute, as well as a former fellow at the International Center for the Study of Terrorism at Penn State University. He spent 14 years at Penn State, achieving the rank of full professor. Hunter's work focuses on leadership and innovation, considering the malign and benevolent application of each. He has published more than 110 peer-reviewed journal articles, books, and book chapters. He has received funding from the National Science Foundation, the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Naval Research, and the U.K. Home Office. As a consultant, his partners and clients have included USAID, United Airlines, Lockheed Martin, NATO, Johnson & Johnson, Epic Games, and Oakley. His work has been featured in Fortune, Fast Company, MSN, Washington Post, CNN, Yahoo, Voice of America, VoxPol, and The Week. Hunter regularly experiences significant heartbreak by being a longtime fan of the Detroit Tigers. 

Rik Legault, Ph.D.
Senior Advisor | U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Richard Legault is a senior advisor at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and a member of NCITE’s advisory board. He recently received the 2023 Meritorious Senior Professional Presidential Rank Award for his contributions to DHS. Legault holds a doctorate in criminology and criminal justice from the University at Albany and began his career in national security at the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), working on a project funded by the National Science Foundation and DHS. He was then recruited by DHS for a position in which he led a variety of projects on quantitative analysis, security, and intelligence. In 2015, he assumed the lead roles for counterterrorism research portfolios at DHS's Science and Technology Directorate. Legault has extensive experience in applying and managing quantitative and qualitative research methods. He has performed research in quantitative analysis of survey data, firearms ownership, policy evaluation, data usage and measurement, organizational violence, terrorism, and violence reduction strategies. Legault also has served in the United States Navy, United States Air Force, and New York Air National Guard, overseeing multiple deployments in many global theaters over the course of 35 years of service. He retired in July 2024 at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.

Katherine Parsons, Ph.D.
Research Associate | NCITE

Katherine Parsons is a research associate at NCITE. She conducts research focused on threat assessment and insider threats, exploring variations in support for political extremism, violence, and the factors leading to engagement in violent acts. Parsons’ studies have examined support for political violence and the impact of violent rhetoric both within the United States and internationally. She has also focused on the rise of domestic violent extremism in the U.S., providing valuable insights into its development and implications. She holds a Ph.D. in Justice, Law, and Criminology from American University. Dedicated to advancing knowledge in her field, her work contributes to strategies aimed at mitigating violence and extremism through evidence-based research.