Mary Beth E Altier

Dr. Mary Beth Altier is a Clinical Associate Professor at New York University’s Center for Global Affairs where she leads the Masters’ Degree concentration in Transnational Security and Initiative on Emerging Threats. She received her PhD and MA in Politics from Princeton University and BAs in Mathematics and History from Drew University.

Dr. Altier’s interests are in international security, political violence, political behavior, nationalism, and ethnic conflict. She has over ten years’ experience researching the disengagement and reintegration of violent extremists. This work includes large-scale literature reviews, the compilation and analysis of quantitative datasets, and in-depth interviews with individuals across a range of violent extremist ideologies (Islamist, far right, ethno-nationalist). Dr. Altier’s other research examines popular support for armed political parties in developed and developing democracies. Her work has been published in a number of journals including International Studies Quarterly, Journal of Peace Research, Security Studies, Terrorism and Political Violence, and Studies in Conflict and Terrorism. She serves on the editorial boards of Terrorism and Political Violence, Studies in Conflict and Terrorism, Perspectives on Terrorism, Journal for Deradicalization, and Behavioral Sciences of Terrorism and Political Aggression. Dr. Altier is a member of the RESOLVE Network’s Research Advisory Council and has been invited to present her research to various government audiences and international organizations including NATO, Europol, and the UN. She has also published in The Washington Post and Lawfare and been quoted in various media outlets including PBS, WIRED, USA Today, Vox, and The Daily Beast. 

At the Center for Global Affairs, Professor Altier teaches courses in Transnational Security, Transnational Terrorism, Security Sector Governance and the Rule of Law, and Analytic Skills. She also runs Consulting Practicums with the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office and the US State Department’s Global Engagement Center as well as a Global Field Intensive to Belfast and London. Dr. Altier received the NYU SPS Excellence in Teaching Award in 2017 and 2023 and also serves as Co-Director of Faculty Research at the School of Professional Studies.