W. Travis Morris

W. Travis Morris is a Professor and Director of the NU Peace and War Center at Norwich University's School of Criminology and Criminal Justice, where he has served since 2011. His work bridges academic research with real-world security applications through international field studies.

His educational background includes:

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology from Northern Illinois University
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Eastern Kentucky University
• Doctorate from the University of Nebraska

Morris specializes in violent extremist propaganda analysis, information warfare, and text network analysis, with extensive research on terrorism, counterterrorism, and counter-insurgency operations. His ethnographic fieldwork in Yemen examines crime within socio-cultural justice systems, culminating in the book "Dark Ideas: How Violent Jihadi and Neo-Nazi Ideologues Have Shaped Modern Terrorism". He connects theoretical frameworks to practical security challenges through interdisciplinary methodologies.

As an educator, Morris teaches Terrorism, Policing, Homeland Security, and Criminology courses while securing grants for student learning trips across the Balkans, Central Asia, and Middle East. These experiential programs immerse cadets in conflict zone diplomacy and cultural analysis, directly linking classroom theory to global security contexts.

He directs the John and Mary Frances Patton Peace & War Center, which serves as Norwich University's hub for conflict resolution research, international student exchanges, and cross-cultural security education. The center facilitates initiatives like the 2025 Olmsted Field Study in the Baltics, advancing Norwich's mission in peace and conflict studies.