National Security Human Dynamics Network

Overview

USF NSHDN

The University of South Florida National Security Human Dynamics Network (USF-NSHDN) delivers human-dynamics–informed analysis, modeling, and decision support for national security partners (including U.S. Central Command).

The College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) facilitates this system-wide Network by assembling and mobilizing faculty experts to address issues broadly related to the relationship between Human Dynamics and National Security.

"Human Dynamics" comprises the actions and interactions of personal, interpersonal, and social-contextual factors and their effects on behavioral outcomes. It is influenced by factors such as economics, religion, politics, and culture.

~March 2009 Defense Science Board Task Force Report on "Understanding Human Dynamics." 

HUMAN DYNAMICS CONNECTION TO NATIONAL SECURITY

Human Dynamics - Security

 

CURRENT NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES

The Multidimensional Challenge of Today's National Security

Today’s security environment merges state competition with population‑level factors such as governance, economics, information, culture, climate, and health. Adversaries exploit human terrain through influence operations, disinformation, social division, and coercive leverage. Decision‑makers, needing more than threat reporting, require evidence‑based forecasting, scenario modeling, and insights into human dynamics.

 

Security Challenges 05-19-28

 

USF'S RESPONSE TO NATIONAL SECURITY CHALLENGES

Addressing the Most Complex security challenges

By placing Human Dynamics at the center of security planning and response, USF—a National Leader at the Nexus of Academic Excellence and Security Innovation—provides a crucial advantage in safeguarding national interests in an increasingly complex and interconnected world by deliberately and methodically building a nationally significant capability to address the most complex security challenges as recognized by the following initiatives:
  • Identified the Imperative: Recognized the shift toward integrating human dynamics into national security.
  • Built the Architecture: Created an integrated ecosystem: the interdisciplinary National Security Human Dynamic Network (NSHDN) + its state-of-the-art operational hub: Security Analysis and Innovation Lab (SAIL) + its human dynamics analytics core: Interdisciplinary Network for Security Insights on Global Human Dynamics Trends (INSIGHT) to translate social/behavioral science into operational decision advantage.
  • Proved the Impact: Demonstrated a proven demand signal that includes sustained DoW-DoD collaboration and funded delivery through customer tasking.
  • Scaled for the Future: Expanding partnerships, products, and scalable platforms; workforce development that translates methods into analyst and leader capability.