Dr. Elizabeth Radziszewski

Strategic Advisor on Irregular Warfare, Conflict, and Security Policy

Global Security Scholar | Irregular Warfare Expert | Policy Innovator | Educator & Strategic Advisor

Dr. Elizabeth Radziszewski is a globally recognized scholar-practitioner at the forefront of irregular warfare, national security policy, and conflict analysis. With over two decades of experience in research, teaching, and policy engagement, she served as Associate Research Scientist and Research Portfolio Lead at the Irregular Warfare and Conflict Assessment Group within the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START), University of Maryland.

Elizabeth’s work bridges the gap between academia, defense, and policymaking. As a former Resident Research Fellow at the U.S. Naval Academy’s Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership, she has advanced strategic insights into the ethical dimensions of conflict, defense partnerships, and the evolving role of private military companies (PMCs) in modern warfare. Her scholarship has been featured in leading journals such as Conflict Management and Peace Science, Civil Wars, and The Journal of Conflict Resolution.

She is the author of two influential books:

Private Militaries and the Security Industry in Civil Wars (Oxford University Press, 2020), a groundbreaking study of market competition and accountability in the private security sector.
Social Networks and Public Support for the European Union (Routledge, 2013), which offers a deep analysis of informal opinion dynamics and public discourse in Eastern Europe.

Dr. Radziszewski holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where her award-winning dissertation explored the role of social networks in shaping public opinion on foreign policy. She also earned an M.A. in Political Science from the same institution and a B.A. in Political Science/History and Journalism & Media Studies from Rutgers University, graduating with Highest Honors in both majors. Her early academic excellence was recognized with the Henry Rutgers Scholar designation, the Paul Tillet Award for Civil Liberties, and the Best Undergraduate Paper in Political Science.

A passionate and innovative educator, Elizabeth has held faculty positions at Rider University, Yeshiva University, Lehigh University, and Seton Hall University, designing and delivering over 40 courses in international relations, political violence, cyber conflict, comparative politics, and homeland security. She is primarily known for integrating design thinking and creativity into policy instruction and student mentorship—skills that empower future security professionals to solve real-world problems with bold, human-centered approaches.

Her policy research directly supports the U.S. Department of Defense and the broader national security community. She has led projects like the Global Responses to Asymmetric Threats (GRAT) Portal and contributed to net assessments on counterinsurgency, private military contractors, and conflict duration. Elizabeth regularly briefs government and defense leaders, including at the Irregular Warfare Center, the U.S. Strategic Multilayer Assessment Office, and the Australian Institute of International Affairs.

Fluent in Polish and deeply engaged with Eastern Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa, Dr. Radziszewski’s research combines field-based inquiry, statistical rigor, and policy innovation. Her work draws from extensive qualitative fieldwork and survey research, often conducted in post-conflict regions or politically sensitive environments.

Beyond academia, she frequently contributes to global media and thought leadership platforms. Her insights have appeared in The Diplomat, The Wilson Quarterly, Duck of Minerva, and the Irregular Warfare Initiative. She has been recognized by Queen Noor of Jordan, honored by the United Nations for her role in refugee education, and awarded prestigious fellowships and research grants from the Mellon Foundation, Woodrow Wilson Center, and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Dr. Elizabeth Radziszewski is a respected thought leader, policy innovator, and educator dedicated to shaping ethical, data-driven, and creative approaches to conflict, security, and power. Whether advising on counterterrorism strategy, mentoring students in global security, or reimagining foreign policy through design thinking, she brings unmatched insight and integrity to the world’s most complex security challenges.