Evan Perkoski

Evan Perkoski is an Associate Professor and Director of Undergraduate Studies in the Department of Political Science at the University of Connecticut, within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. His research focuses on political violence, including terrorism, insurgency, and the dynamics of militant organizations. He explores how groups like Al Qaeda fragment into splinter groups (e.g., Islamic State), analyzing their survival strategies and operational behavior. His work also addresses topics such as cyber operations, mass killings in uprisings, and the recruitment patterns of violent non-state actors, using quantitative methods and novel datasets.

His research trends emphasize fragmentation of militant groups, recruitment strategies (including child and women’s roles), and the intersection of ideology with conflict behavior. He has analyzed case studies in Afghanistan and Somalia, as well as broader patterns in global terrorism. His findings contribute to counterterrorism policy, cybersecurity strategies, and understanding conflict escalation mechanisms.

No scientific awards are explicitly mentioned in the provided materials. His advising and grants are not detailed here, though his role as Director of Undergraduate Studies suggests significant academic leadership. He is affiliated with Herbst Hall 409A in Storrs, CT, and maintains office hours for student engagement.