Trace Lasley Senior Executive in Residence Justice, Law & Criminology
- Degrees
- PhD, University of Kentucky, 2012
- Bio
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Dr. Trace Lasley is the Senior Executive in Residence in the Terrorism and Homeland Security Policy (THSP) Program in the School of Public Affairs. A homeland security expert with experience as a practitioner and academic, he has a record of shaping national policy and leading strategic initiatives with senior officials. This deep understanding of the homeland security mission, including counterterrorism, border security, and cyber, informs his development of innovative curricula and his mentorship of students. He is also an inaugural faculty member at the Institute for Applied Artificial Intelligence.
Dr. Lasley has held various roles in the national security enterprise, including serving as an advisor at the U.S. Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). His professional experience includes directing research and analysis for complex human rights investigations at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), leading strategic planning functions for DHS international programs, and providing strategic advice to DHS executive leadership on international engagement. As an Atrocity Prevention Policy Advisor at the State Department, he spearheaded interagency coordination for the National Security Council (NSC)'s Atrocity Prevention Task Force.
At American University, Dr. Lasley prepares students for careers in national security by delivering undergraduate and graduate courses that build knowledge, skills, and abilities. He emphasizes practical experience, creating hands-on activities that include risk analysis, strategic planning, and executive briefing. He also leads THSP practicum projects with government and private sector partners, including the Department of Justice, DHS/Homeland Security Investigations, Pangiam, LLC, and Ridgeline International. His courses regularly host guests from across the national security enterprise.
Dr. Lasley leads SPA's Professional Development Series, which helps graduate students prepare for their careers through workshops on planning, resume-writing, interviewing, and others. He also created and directs the Public Servant Planning and Skills Network, open to anyone affected by recent changes in federal service. In addition to these efforts, he is the co-lead of the new International Homeland Security Program, which will launch a new course offering in Spring 2026 with a one-week residency in Madrid, Spain.
His research focuses on illicit organization behavior, including the strategy, tactics, recruitment, and funding of violent groups, as well as the intersection of strategy, policy, and emerging technology. His research has appeared in publications such as Conflict Management and Peace Science, Risk Analysis, and Third World Quarterly. Dr. Lasley shares his expertise on homeland security and curriculum development at industry and academic conferences, including the Center for Homeland Defense and Security and the Federal Academic Alliance.
Dr. Lasley holds a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky.
- See Also
- SPA Department of Justice, Law and Criminology
- SPA Professional Development Series
- For the Media
- To request an interview for a news story, call AU Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request. Explore all AU Faculty Experts in our media guide.
Teaching
Spring 2025
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JLC-485 Topics in Terrorism: AI and Homeland Security
Summer 2025
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JLC-682 Crime and Conflict Nexus
Fall 2025
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JLC-485 Topics in Terrorism: AI and Homeland Security
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JLC-672 Terrorism, Crime & Public Pol
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JLC-682 Crime and Conflict Nexus
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JLC-695 Terrorism & Homeland Sec Pract: Homeland Security Policy Pract