Skip Navigation

Dr. Nicole Drumhiller

Associate Dean Professor, Security and Global Studies

Education

Ph.D. in Political Science
Washington State University
M.A. in Political Science
Washington State University
B.A. in Criminal Justice
Washington State University
B.A. in Political Science
Washington State University

Research Interests

The study of political behavior is a rapidly growing field that takes the behavior of groups, as well as individuals, into consideration. Attempting to understand the behavior of people and groups is not a new concept with some of the more sophisticated studies being traced back to the work of Sigmund Freud. Regardless of if we are looking domestically or internationally, groups as well as individuals, have the power to exact political change for the better, and for worse. My research focuses on looking at both groups and individuals in a variety of settings and covers the areas of political psychology, intelligence, security studies, and international relations. In particular, I am interested in research related to leadership personality and decision-making, and its impact on group behavior. One of my lines of research has focused on the characteristics of physicians who become political dictators or "doctators." A portion of this work was presented along-side a collaborator at the International Society of Political Psychology, and a paper on François Duvalier, doctator of Haiti, has been recently submitted for publication with a peer-reviewed journal. I plan to further expand this work by profiling another former "doctator" in 2017 with the goal of sending that article out for publication by 2018. Broadening my work to the group level, I'm also actively engaged in research that looks at the behavior of groups within the animal and environmental extremist movement. As part of this current grant supported research I will present my work, alongside a colleague collaborator at the 2017 Southwestern Social Science Association Annual Conference in Austin, TX and will follow-up and send this work out for peer-reviewed publication. Following this conference, I plan to carry this body of research forward by further exploring threatening combinations and the likelihood for follow-on violent behavior. To support this research, I will seek internal and external funding opportunism to help support field research and presentation in this area. In addition to my interest in extremist and terrorist organizations, I'm also interested in political and religious cult behavior, having previously published work within the American Intelligence Journal on cult formation and violence specific to the Soldiers of Heaven in Iraq. Finally, I have an interest in technological advancement specific to cyber, and weapons of mass destruction with a current co-edited book being prepared for submission in the first quarter of 2017 entitled Issues in Maritime Cyber Security.

Positions Held

2022 - Present
NKD Consulting, LLC
BioSecurity Consultant
2016 - Present
Center for the Study of Transnational Crime and Political Conflict
President
2018 - 2022
Washington State University Foundation
Research Consultant
2006 - 2013
Washington State University
Adjunct Faculty
2012 - 2012
Washington State University Foundation
Prospect Research Analyst

Intellectual Contributions

Intimate Partner Violence on Campus: A Victim-Centered Case Study

Nicole K Drumhiller
September 2022
Journal of Threat Assessment and Management

Religion and State Authority: Control of the Body

Kate Brannum, Nicole K Drumhiller
August 14, 2022
Journal of Coercion, Abuse, and Manipulation

Physician, then Political Dictator: Bashar al-Assad, President of Syria

Casey Skvorc, Nicole K Drumhiller
August 12, 2022
Global Security and Intelligence Studies

Advice, Decision Making, and Leadership in Security Crises

Nicole K Drumhiller
April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 27, 2022
Oxford Encyclopedia of Crisis Analysis. Oxford University Press.

Simulation and Game-Based Learning in Emergency and Disaster Management

Nicole K Drumhiller, Karen R Srba, Terri Wilkin
April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 14, 2021
IGI Global

Perceptions of Fear Among Targets of Radical Animal Rights Extremism

Nicole K Drumhiller, Jason M Roesler
December 14, 2018
Studies in Conflict and Terrorism

Women in Global Security and Intelligence

Nicole K Drumhiller, Kate Brannum
August 30, 2018
Journal of European and American Intelligence Studies

François Duvalier: Assessment of a 20th Century ‘Doctator’

Nicole K Drumhiller, Casey Skvorc
July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 1, 2018
Journal of Global Security and Intelligence Studies

Access to Information Doesn’t Have to Come with a Pretty Cover and a Price Tag

Kate Brannum, Nicole K Drumhiller
April (2nd Quarter/Spring) 25, 2018
Internet Learning Journal

Issues in Maritime Cyber Security

Joseph DiRenzo, Nicole K Drumhiller, Fred Roberts
July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 2017
APUS ePress in collaboration with PSO/Westphalia Press

Apocalyptic Opportunism: Cult Formation and Violence in an Unstable Nation State

Nicole K Drumhiller, Craig Whiteside
July (3rd Quarter/Summer) 2016
American Intelligence Journal

China, Culture, and the Perception of Intellectual Property and Cyber Espionage

Nicole K Drumhiller, Clay Wilson
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2016

Review of Intelligence Communication in the Digital Era: Transforming Security, Defense and Business.

Nicole K Drumhiller
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2015
Journal of Strategic Security

What's In a Flag? Identity, Symbols and Protests in Belfast

Elena M Mastors, Nicole K Drumhiller,
October (4th Quarter/Autumn) 2014
Peace & Change

Review of Dirty Entanglements: Corruption, Crime, and Terrorism by Louise I. Shelley

Nicole K Drumhiller
January (1st Quarter/Winter) 2014
Journal of Strategic Security

External Contracts, Fellowships, Grants and Sponsored Research

U.S. Fur Industry and Perception of Fear and Threat of Physical Violence

Joint Mink Research Committee
2016
Funded – In Progress

U.S. Fur Industry and Perception of Fear and Threat of Physical Violence

Olympic Fur Breeders
2016
Funded – In Progress

Presentations

Human Intelligence and Domestic Violent Extremism in the U.S.: Should We Prioritize Prevention Over Prosecution?

International Studies Association
April 6, 2024

Impacts of Emerging Technology on Human Intelligence

International Studies Association
April 6, 2024

Anticipating the Threat: Challenges of Warning Intelligence in Complex Threat Environments

International Studies Association
March 2023

Personnel Problems: Warning Intelligence Through Behavioral Screening in High Consequence Environments

International Studies Association
March 2023

Physician, then Political Dictator: Basar al-Assad, President of the Syrian Arab Republic

IAFIE 2022 Joint Conference
June 19, 2022

Navigating the Academic Pracitioner Divide in Intelligence

International Studies Association
March 31, 2022

Space Economic Policy Analysis

Space Education and Strategic Applications
September 24, 2021

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Space and STEM Careers

Space Education and Strategic Applications
September 23, 2021

ASIS International: Why Lifelong Learning Is Vital in Threat Management

ASIS International
November 6, 2019

Educating the Space Warriors: Partnering in the New Race for Space

35th Space Symposium
April 10, 2019

Experiential and Game-Based Learning at American Public University

OLC Innovate
April 4, 2019

Animal Rights and Environmental Extremism in Italy

École Universitaire Internationale - Rome, Italy
February 23, 2019

Social Identity and Non-State Actor Challenges to the State

École Universitaire Internationale - Rome, Italy
January 18, 2019

The Future of Intelligence

Address Before the Italian Senate.
January 17, 2019
Official Presentation of the Operative Intelligence Research Center
January 17, 2019

Religion and State Authority: 50 years of balancing constraint

50 Years of Change
November 10, 2018

Religion and State Authority: 50 Years of Balancing Constraint

Northeastern Political Science Association
November 10, 2018

Creating a Culture of Collaboration, Resilience, and Academic Rigor in Applied Doctorates

International Association for Intelligence Education Europe
September 12, 2018

Radical Animal Rights Extremism: Assessing the Nature of the Threat

Annual Stakeholders Summit
May 4, 2018

Challenges to State Authority and Control: A Comparison of the Twelve Tribes, Scientology, Reichsbürger, and the U.S. Patriot Movement.

International Studies Association Annual Conference
April 5, 2018

Is it 1 or 80? Classifying Radical Environmental and Animal Rights Based Crime and Terrorism

Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences Annual Meeting
February 15, 2018

United States and Canada Cross Border Challenges in Responding to Radical Environmental and Animal Rights Extremism

Pacific Northwest Political Science Association Annual Meeting
November 13, 2017

Technology and Forensics: The Future of Law Enforcement

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
April 21, 2017

Academic Conferences: Best Practices for Conference Discussants, Chairs, and Presenters

CTL BrownBag
April 19, 2017

Radical Animal Rights Extremism: Assessing the Nature of the Threat

Southwestern Social Science Association Meeting
April 14, 2017

Harnessing the Power of TEVUS

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
December 16, 2016

Social Media and its Many uses

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
December 16, 2016

Student-Faculty Research Collaboration

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
October 28, 2016

Conference Presentations: Best Practices

SSGS Webinar Series
September 28, 2016

Challenges in Profiling the Anonymous

USC/ARO Workshop on Cyber-Physical Security: Challenges and Approaches
February 4, 2016

Maritime Smuggling: How Technology Can Disrupt the Network

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
December 11, 2015

Visual Analytics: A Case for Ethical Decision Making

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
September 30, 2015

Decision-Making and Counter Terrorism: How the Visual Analytics of Data Can Help Save Lives

AMU-VACCINE Webinar Series
July 31, 2015

Doctators: A Survey of Physicians as Political Dictators in the 20th and 21st Centuries

International Society of Political Psychology
July 4, 2015

Doctators: A Brief Survey of Physicians as Political Dictators

The Psychology of Encounter and the Politics of Engagement
July 3, 2015

Conducting Scholarly Research: The Role of the Literature Review and Theory

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
May 14, 2015

Applying a Critical Thinking Framework to Improve Intelligence Analysis

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
April 9, 2015

The Challenges and Opportunities of Publishing: A Roundtable

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
March 12, 2015

Shock-Imagery: Good for the Cause or Counterproductive in the Animal Rights Movement?

International Studies Association
February 18, 2015

Conducting Field Research: What You Need!

Graduate Studies Webinar Series
November 20, 2014

What’s In a Flag? Identity, Symbols and Protests in Belfast

International Society of Political Psychology
July 2014

Social Cognition: Awareness of Biases

Washington State Fusion Center Analyst Conference
September 2013

Simulations and Applied Learning

Annual Conference - International Association for Intelligence Education
May 2013

Deterrence and Political Psychology: The Importance of Knowing Your Enemy

Maritime Risk Symposium
November 2012

Nonproliferation Efforts and the Increasing Spread of Cruise Missiles.

Annual Conference - Pacific Northwest Political Science Association
October 2011

Apocalyptic Opportunism: Cult Formation and Violence in an Unstable Nation-State.

Annual Conference - International Studies Association
March 2011

In the Shadow of the Red Queen: State Behavior and Participation in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Regime.

Annual Conference - Pacific Northwest Political Science Association.
October 2010

Forcing a Square Peg into a Round Hold: The Control Model as a Difficult Fit for the Biological Weapons Regime

Annual Conference - International Studies Association
February 2009

Bioregulator’s and Just War

Annual Conference - Southwest Political Science Association
March 2008

Media Contributions

How to Prepare Your Pets for Stressful Situations and Natural Disasters

APU Edge
May 25, 2023
Social Media - Podcast

Where Are All the Cybersecurity Workers?

AMUEdge
January 10, 2023
Social Media - Podcast

ASIS International: Why Lifelong Learning Is Vital in Threat Management

Inhomelandsecurity
November 6, 2019
Social Media - Blog

How Threat Assessment Teams Can Help Prevent Violence on Campus

July 11, 2019
Social Media - Blog

Internships Available for Security and Global Studies Students

InHomelandSecurity
April 22, 2019
Social Media - Blog

Education, Space and Employment: The Expanding Frontiers

InSpaceNews
April 15, 2019
Social Media - Blog

Podcast: Dr. Nicole Drumhiller interviews Executive Director Chris Costa of the International Spy Museum

Podcast
May 3, 2018
Social Media - Podcast

Podcast: Experts Describe New APUS Doctoral Degree Programs

In Homeland Security
July 12, 2017
Social Media - Podcast

Officers Need Community Support Daily, Not Just After Tragedy

InPublicSafety Blog.
March 2016
Social Media - Blog

Sharpening Scholarly Skills Can Enhance Professional Performance

InPublicSafety Blog.
February 2016
Social Media - Blog

Explore Your Intellectual Curiosity as an Academic Researcher

InPublicSafety Blog.
November 2015
Social Media - Blog

The Path to Strengthening Your Academic Writing Skills

InHomelandSecurity Blog
August 2015
Social Media - Blog

Intelligence Career Options: What Degree Should You Consider?

InHomelandSecurity Blog
June 2015
Social Media - Blog

Is the Use of Shock Imagery Effective for Drawing Public Attention to an Issue?

In Public Safety
August 18, 2014
Social Media - Blog

Domestic Terrorism: Determining the Scope of Localized Threats

Scholar of the Week
March 2013
Social Media - Blog

Certifications and Licensure

September 8, 2021
Certified Leadership and Resilience Coach (CLRC)
BlueRio Institute
December 3, 2020
Certified Professional Coach
American Public University SYstems
January 2015
eMETT 3.0 Expert Level
Paul Ekman Group
January 2015
eSETT 3.0 Expert Level
Paul Ekman Group
October 5, 2022
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
February 22, 2022
Certified Threat Manager
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals
August 26, 2019
CITI - Social and Behavioral Research Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program)
August 2018
Certified Threat Manager (CTM)
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)
March 29, 2016
CITI - Social & Behavioral Research - Basic/Refresher
Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI)
August 26, 2016
Certified Threat Manager (CTM)
Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP)

Awards & Honors

July 27, 2021
Learning Award
APUS
For those who promote knowledge and understanding among students, faculty, or staff.
July 27, 2021
Quality Award
APUS
For those who lead by promoting distinction, excellence, and continuous improvement in serving students, faculty, or staff.
July 27, 2021
Vision Award
APUS
For those who provide a transformative experience, creating learning experiences, student interfaces, degree programs, communities of learning, ease transfer credit, enhance affordability, build partnerships, and offer thought leadership to change higher education.
June 16, 2021
2020 University Strategic Initiative – Catalyst – Learning Management System Migration
APUS
During 2020, the earner of this badge made significant contributions to the migration of courses to a new online classroom to improve user experience, promote student-to-student and faculty-to-student interaction, enable a robust mobile classroom, and further differentiate APUS as a leader in online learning.
June 2013
First Place
International Association for Intelligence Education
First Place in the Professional Category of the IAFIE Essay Contest. Paper with Elena Mastors. "Complex Analysis and Foreign Leaders: The Obligation for Intelligence Education."
June 15, 2013
APUS Outstanding New Faculty Member of the Year Award
American Public University System
2010
APSA Teaching Award Recognition
2010
Faculty Excellence Award
Naval ROTC battalion at Washington State University and the University of Idaho.