Tiffiany Howard

Dr. Tiffiany Howard is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), where she has served on the faculty since 2008. She also serves as Director of the Center for Migration, Demography, and Population Studies, leading research initiatives on migration patterns, demographic shifts, and environmental change. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy applications through collaborations with major institutions including the United Nations, International Criminal Court, Department of Defense, and Department of Homeland Security.

Dr. Howard's educational background includes:

• Ph.D. Joint in Political Science and Public Policy, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• LL.M. University of London-University College London (Specialization in Human Rights Law)
• M.A. Political Science, University of Michigan (Ann Arbor)
• B.A. Political Science, Florida A & M University, with honors

Her research spans multiple critical areas in contemporary political science. Dr. Howard specializes in international security, with particular focus on the neuropolitics of terrorism and violent extremism, examining how cognitive processes contribute to radicalization. Her work on migration and refugee policy analyzes demographic shifts and their political implications, especially regarding Latino populations in Nevada. She also conducts significant research on gender and race studies, exploring the intersections of identity, particularly focusing on Afro-Latinos and the Black-Hispanic identity. Her scholarship on the racial wealth gap and Black entrepreneurship provides critical insights into economic disparities and potential pathways for improvement.

Analysis of Dr. Howard's publications reveals a consistent trajectory connecting political violence, state failure, and demographic shifts. Her early work established foundations in understanding state failure as a root cause of terrorism, while more recent publications have evolved to examine neurocognitive aspects of radicalization and the specific challenges facing Black communities in business and wealth accumulation. Her research demonstrates interdisciplinary integration, combining political science with neuroscience, economics, and public health perspectives to address complex societal challenges.

Dr. Howard has received numerous prestigious awards and fellowships:

• Council on Foreign Relations-International Affairs Fellowship (2019-2020)
• Geneva Center for Security Policy-Associate Fellowship (2020)
• Asser Institute-Visiting Fellowship (2020)
• Congressional Black Caucus Foundation-Senior Research Fellowship (2019)
• Marjorie Barrick Scholar Award (2013)
• Faculty Diversity Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship (2011)

Through her role as Director of the Center for Migration, Demography, and Population Studies, Dr. Howard oversees multiple research initiatives examining demographic trends and their policy implications. She has secured significant grant funding from various sources including the Ford Foundation, Department of Defense, and Department of Education. Her community engagement extends beyond academia through volunteer work with the Junior League of Las Vegas, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and her parish, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, demonstrating her commitment to applying scholarly insights to real-world challenges.