Joel Elson

Joel Elson, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in Interdisciplinary Informatics at the University of Nebraska at Omaha's College of Information Science & Technology. He is also a Principal Investigator and Strategic Leadership Team Member at the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology, and Education Center (NCITE).

• Counterterrorism Research
• Emerging Technology Exploitation
• Human Flourishing and Social Connectedness
• Collaborative Work with U.S. Department of Defense and Homeland Security

Elson's research focuses on analyzing how extremists misuse emerging technologies while simultaneously exploring their benevolent applications for improving well-being and societal resilience. His work bridges theoretical insights with practical implementations through partnerships with Fortune 500 companies, governmental agencies, and local organizations.

Media outlets like The Washington Post, The Conversation, WOWT, and The Omaha World-Herald have highlighted his contributions to terrorism research in the metaverse, chatbot-driven violence prevention systems, and strategic collaborations with Sarpy County. These recognitions underscore his expertise in merging national security concerns with innovative technological solutions.

Elson actively collaborates with corporate and governmental stakeholders, ensuring real-world impact in both cybersecurity policy and community safety initiatives.