War-Time Bombs Deactivated in Quang Binh Province

Together with the provincial Military Command and local authorities, MAG operators safely moved three war-time bombs found in residential areas in the central province of Quang Binh.

English professor Brooks E. Hefner gives talk in Morocco

English professor and director of Graduate Studies Brooks E. Hefner spoke at the Tangier American Legation Museum in Morocco.

End of the semester strategies and resources - Fall 2023

Incorporate strategies and resources that will help you meet your goals and manage stress.

Tetra Tech Assists Ukraine by Demining Agricultural Lands

Tetra Tech aims to assist Ukraine in detecting and neutralizing anti-personnel mines, unexploded and abandoned ordnance, improvised explosive devices, and other explosive objects.

College of Education Hosts Visitors from Northern Ireland, Uzbekistan

Global work at the COE isn’t just about getting faculty, staff, and students into other countries. We have been learning from our colleagues in Northern Ireland and Uzbekistan when they make it to Harrisonburg

There Are Now More Land Mines in Ukraine than Almost Anywhere Else on the Planet

Ukraine is staring down a massive humanitarian challenge — now and into the future.

Special Report on Cluster Munitions and Submunitions in Syria

Cluster Munitions & Submunitions in Syria: A Technical Appraisal. Special Report 5 is the culmination of nearly a decade of ARES research into the use of cluster munitions and submunitions in the Syrian Civil War.

Students to Present at WISE 2024

MSME students Dausny Cruz and Rilie Bass to present their experiences in Kosovo last summer at a national conference on intercultural communication.

The Invisible Killer Haunting Laos 50 Years after the Vietnam War

Laos was heavily bombed between 1964 and 1973 and unexploded munitions are littered, dormant but deadly, across much of the country.

International Opportunities at the COE

Fully Funded International Opportunities at the COE

JMU among nation’s best for producing leaders

Madison makes TIME magazine's exclusive new list.

Civilian Areas in North-West Syria Hit with Submunitions

More than 15 cities, towns and villages across North-West Syria have been targeted with cluster munitions.

The Picture of a Journey to Florence

New EUPS professor at JMU Florence campus, Christine Bakker, PhD, shares her professional journey, her experience working for the European Commission, and how she came to live in Florence, Italy full-time.

A Window into the Consulting World

Married JMU alumni, Mr. Richard Shapiro and Mrs. Alexis Shapiro stop by Florence, Italy to lead a consulting workshop and share their professional advice with the EUPS cohort.

JMU Duke Puts Down Roots in Italy

JMU Semester in Florence alumnus, Mr. Andrew Spannaus, speaks with students about his experience living in Milan and building a successful international career.

Il Conventino

Across the Ponte Vecchio, this historical social hub bridges cultures and communities.

A Changing Environment

The EUPS program ensures students are ready to enter the rapidly changing job market with practical experience.

Letter from the director of EUPS

Executive Director Charles Blake discusses the current cohort, upcoming alumni events in March and May 2024, and the varied ways in which alumni contribute to the EUPS program.

Economy Ministry Launches Accelerator for Demining Startups

An accelerator program in Ukraine is helping startups quickly develop and grow into humanitarian demining programs.

Computer Science students and faculty attend Grace Hopper Celebration

“It’s a place where women can share their stories and support one another.”

Drones and AI Could Locate Land Mines in Ukraine

An AI model could speed up laborious and dangerous demining efforts

Graduate student prepares to advocate for change in Papua New Guinea

Doreen Philip’s story of determination to give back to the community and become a source of empowerment for village women in Papua New Guinea.

War in the Breadbasket: Landmines and Food Security in Ukraine

Global food insecurity has surged in recent years, affecting about 258 million people in 58 countries or territories in 2022. Violent conflict is one of the leading drivers, alongside economic shocks and climate change.

A Glimpse Into the Mine Risk Education Activities in Poland

DRC helps people raise awareness of Explosive Ordnance Risk in Ukraine through informational campaign at the Przemysl railway station in Poland.

CISE embraces the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals

CISE integrates the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals into coursework and research initiatives.

Hunting the ghost ship: How an IA professor tracked the SPARTA IV

Intelligence Analysis professor Giangiuseppe Pili and his team utilized open-source data collection to analyze and identify the transportation of military cargo by the Russian SPARTA IV.

The ‘Everything School’

Is it a coincidence that the popular band Everything performed with the Marching Royal Dukes at Homecoming?

Nearly 600,000 Pieces of UXO Cleared in Laos’ Northern Province

Over 18,000 hectares of land in northern Laos' Xieng Khuang province have been cleared of unexploded ordnance (UXO), mostly agricultural land and areas slated for future development.

Conflict Pollution, Washed-up Landmines and Military Emissions: How War Trashes the Environment

Armed conflict leaves a long trail of environmental damage, which in turn can worsen our health and that of other species.

18 facts you may not know about James Madison University

JMU is not just a "football school"

Innovation Conference 2023: November 14–16

This week is the GICHD's Innovation Conference, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the latest advances in humanitarian mine action.

How Can a City Recover From a Brutal Conflict?

Few places in Yemen have experienced the brutality of its armed conflict as intimately as Ad Durayhimi, which sees extensive contamination by mines and other unexploded ordnance.

Bella Bledzki: JMU English major at Oxford

Bella Bledzki, a senior English major with a minor in Creative Writing, is currently studying abroad in Oxford through the Center for Global Engagement at JMU.

North Koreans Maimed or Killed by Landmines During Defection Attempts

A number of North Koreans trying to cross the China-North Korea border in North Hamgyong Province have been injured or killed by landmines recently.

Six Things to Know About Mine Action in Afghanistan

Six take aways for humanitarian mine action in Afghanistan, one of the most heavily contaminated countries in the world.

US Landmine Eating Vehicle Spotted in Ukraine

It appears that Ukraine has received a batch of American M1150 Abrams Mine Clearing Vehicles to help recapture lost territory.

JMU earns Silver-level for being a Bicycle Friendly University

JMU has been recognized as a Silver-level Bicycle Friendly University

Trimble Partners with HALO Trust for Landmine Clearance in Ukraine

Trimble Foundation Fund focuses its charitable giving on supporting natural disaster and climate resilience; promoting female empowerment; and advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Syria Regime Using Cluster Munitions in Bombing Campaign on Civilians in Idlib

The Syrian regime of Bashar Al-Assad has been using cluster munitions on the civilian population within the rebel-held Idlib province, Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed yesterday.

Colombian Campaign Against Landmines Provides Training to Indigenous Community

A Colombian organization is training the Emberá people in Non-Technical Studies (NTS) to promote the participation and inclusion of indigenous people.

3D Printed Prosthetic Limbs Help Ukrainians Live Normal Lives or Rejoin the Fight

Unbroken is an organization in Ukraine that helps wounded people regain their mobility through prosthetics, surgery, physical rehabilitation training and more.

Between Tradition and the Law: Artisanal Firearm Production in West Africa

A new Briefing Paper from the Small Arms Survey provides an overview of regional trends about the production of craft firearms, and their regulatory frameworks.

More Than 260 Civilians Killed by Landmines and UXO

Landmines and unexploded ordnance have killed more than 260 civilians in Ukraine over the past 20 months.

Landmine Blast Kills 20 In Northeast Nigeria

Twenty people in northeast NIgeria were kill when their vehicle struck a landmine while traveling from a funeral.

Landmine Incident Prompts CMAA Safety Advisory

A man in Banteay Meanchey province inadvertently detonated a landmine, resulting in the loss of his left leg.

Unexploded Ordnance Haunts Southern Lebanon

Unexploded ordnance from 2006 continues to threaten communities in Southern Lebanon, claiming 200 lives. 

College of Business eNews: November 2023

Stay informed. Read the November issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

The Middle East Is Burning – But the Crisis in Ukraine Must Not Be Forgotten

James Cowan, head of the landmine clearance charity The HALO Trust, visits Ukraine to see horror that still envelops the nation

Hungary Hosts Training for Divers Who Salvage UXO

Military divers from Belgium, Germany, Hungary and Lithuania participated in an international training exercise in Budapest, working in flooded underground mines, rivers, lakes, and caves.

JMU Student Shares Stage with Alger in Japan

Bella Santos ('25) shares her experience talking to university leaders in Hiroshima, Japan

Bringing Normalcy to War-Torn Ukraine

The Kyiv and Chernihiv oblasts in northern Ukraine were affected by fierce fighting in March 2022. Today, local residents are trying to move forward with their lives and bring back a sense of normalcy to it.

Echoes from the past

Paranormal investigators Tee Morris (’92) and Phil Rossi (’01) share a passion for unearthing buried history at the country’s most haunted places

Bulgaria and Romania Begin Demining Black Sea

Bulgaria and Romania have begun to clear the route of the new Ukrainian grain corridor in the Black Sea from mines.

Lessons From Mine Action: Integrated Care for Civilians in Conflict

As civilians worldwide are threatened by modern armed conflict, we urge the global health community to work alongside partners in mine action.

Student Airborne Research Program

This past summer Dr. Webb had the opportunity to be a facilitator to NASA’s inaugural year of its East Coast Student Airborne Research Program

Assessment & Measurement and Psyc Sciences travel to the NERA conference

Students and faculty from the Quantitative concentration of the Psychological Sciences MA program and the Assessment and Measurement doctoral program recently traveled to the Annual Conference of the NERA

Harnessing the potential of AI

Artificial intelligence’s potential to spark fear and confusion can easily overshadow its potential for improving lives.

Landmine Blasts Injures Deminers in Sri Lanka

Four deminers injured by landmine blast in Mullaitivu, Sri Lanka, while clearing hazardous area.

Frederick Douglass’ life, work and contributions to the Civil War

Here’s what ChatGPT wrote when a history professor prompted it to write an essay about Frederick Douglass and the Civil War

The promise and the pitfalls of AI

JMU is proceeding with caution as it assesses the AI landscape.

Halloween can provide a new outlook on life, says JMU professor

Halloween is often seen as something that can scare people and keep them away, but what if the script were flipped.

Mitzi Perdue Hosts Charity Auction to Support Ukrainian Landmine Clearance

Mitzi Perdue hosts charity auction in her Salisbury, Maryland, home raising more than $220,000 for landmine clearance in Ukraine.

Scientist Expands Research on Landmine Blast Exposure Treatment

Neurophysiologist Cindy Linn received a grant from the Department of Defense to study treatment for eye damage from landmine blasts.

Wartime Bomb Safely Disposed in Lao Cai Province

The Military Command of Bao Yen district in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on October 19 removed a 350-kilogramme bomb left from wartime in Bao Ha commune, and destroyed it safely.

Ukraine Demines Half of Farming Lands Designated for Mine Clearance

Ukraine’s demining efforts show significant progress as the Ministry of Economy reports nearly half of priority farming lands cleared since the beginning of 2023.

Intelligence analysis professor presents at NATO event in Budapest

Baxter presented the role of current nuclear weapons-modernization efforts and how those efforts have impacted nuclear strategy

Cambodia hosts the Third Global Conference on Mine Action Victims

The Cambodian Mine Action Authority hosted the 3rd Global Conference on the Assistance to Victims of Anti-Personnel Mines and Other Explosive Ordnance in a Disability Rights Context.

Madison Art Collection loans works to Ben Shahn exhibition in Spain

This is the first time that the MAC has loaned works to a major museum overseas.

My journey to JMU

A journey filled with hope, panic and triumph

UK Dstl Adopts UAV-Mounted Sensor Concept for Mine Clearance

The UK Ministry of Defence anticipates the new mine detection concept “could alter the face of land warfare.”

STAD welcomes Ruben Carrazana as guest director of "Anon(ymous)"

A look into what it's like directing the upcoming show "Anon(ymous)" beginning Nov. 7

Counseling professor Debbie Sturm receives ECHO Award

The Center for Global Engagement recognized four faculty members as recipients of three inaugural study-abroad awards

In Ukraine: Demining Paves Way for New Capabilities in Humanitarian Clearance

Launching demining machine production independently and with global partners, Ukraine opens avenues for faster domestic clearance and potential export leadership in humanitarian demining.

Researcher discusses impacts of electoral technologies

Hasnain Bokhari shared the findings of his recent research on electoral technologies in Pakistan and their impact on democratic processes

MAG Works to Reduce the Impact of Conflicts in West Africa

MAG has been present in the Sahel and West Africa for more than 10 years, working to reduce the harmful impact of conflicts on populations.

Alger offers comments on Power 5 coach salaries

The Knight Commission on Intercollegiate Athletics released a report illustrating just how big “Power 5” conference football coaching salaries had grown.

APOPO’s Commitment to a Mine-Free Future for Zimbabwe

APOPO’s efforts extend beyond demining; they are instrumental in promoting eco-tourism in Zimbabwe and facilitating the free movement of elephants and other wildlife within the region.

JMU condemns the brutal attack on Israel and offers support for our community

We join others around the world in condemning terrorism and Hamas’ brutal attack on Israel.

Is There a Safe Way to Get Rid of UXO Under the Sea?

The Beaufort trench between Ireland and Scotland is one of the largest dumps worldwide for unexploded ordnance.

Madison Art Collection unveils exclusive works of art

The Madison Art Collection showcases recent researched works of art for the very first time

Demining Teams Find New Landmines After Each Yemen Truce

Houthi mine-laying operations appear to be accelerating says chief of Project Masam, which has removed 417,103 landmines and other unexploded ordnance in Yemen since June 2018

Humanitarian Demining Training Center Welcomes New Director

Former director Jonathon D. Green of the Humanitarian Demining Training Center has stepped out of his role September 22, passing the torch to the incoming director, Angel L. Belen.

Cambodia Confirms 26 Mine/UXO Casualties Over Past Nine Months

Cambodia Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has confirmed that 26 landmine casualties were reported over the past nine months, with four dead, 14 injured and eight crippled by the explosions.

Homecoming 2023 really does have Everything!

The popular '90s band will return to campus to perform with the Marching Royal Dukes during halftime of the football game.

Cambodia Warns of UXO Risk During Floods

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) has alerted the public to be aware of the danger of buried landmines being exposed during floods.

The Environmental Dimensions of Libya’s Flood Disaster

The catastrophic flooding in eastern Libya is a human and environmental disaster that has claimed thousands of lives. In a report, the Conflict and Environment observatory examine the environmental considerations.

Creating in Spain

SADAH professor of Art Lisa Tubach researches coral in Spain's aquatic biome through Bajo el Olivo: International Creative Arts Residency

How Abandoned War Weapons are Poisoning the Baltic Sea

A staggering 300,000 tonnes of deadly wartime weapons lie scattered on the Baltic seabed. For a century, these weapons have been festering at the bottom of the Baltic ocean, slowly leaking toxic chemicals.

Local Photographer Captures Human Side of Ukraine War

Photographer Allan Mestel’s latest project focuses on documenting the human perspective of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Landmines in Ukraine: Lessons for China and Taiwan

A mid-2023 detailed Chinese-language survey of landmine warfare in the Ukraine War yields the conclusion that mines have played the most important role in stymieing the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Reaching across the aisle

Sen. Tim Kaine emphasizes the importance of finding common ground.

North Vancouver Trails Closing for Explosives Search

Explosives experts contracted by the Department of National Defence are back in North Vancouver, searching the Blair Rifle Range lands for lost and forgotten munitions.

College of Business eNews: October 2023

Stay informed. Read the October issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Slowed 'Demining' Means Global Breadbasket Has Only Crumbs

Ukraine's recovery will depend on how fast the landmine clearance progresses, and without it, the world's breadbasket will be left with crumbs.

International Mine Clearance Training Concludes

Cambodia has successfully hosted a 10-day multinational training session focusing on landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) removal.

Carly Fiorina urges students to challenge the status quo

Business executive says future leaders can learn the fundamentals from looking at how Jamestown became the world’s first representative government

How Are Old, Unexploded Bombs Safely Detonated?

What goes into the detonation of an explosive war relic that has been left underground for decades? CNA talked to experts to find out more.

Unexploded Weapons Pose New Risk After Libya Flood

Libya has seven million people and has deep political fractures. It lacks a strong central government and has been embroiled in conflict on and off since a revolution toppled longtime ruler Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Cambodia and Thailand Talk Mine Clearance on Borders

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority has announced that the Kingdom will work with Thailand to conduct an in-depth study and devise plans to clear landmines and UXO.

A Glimpse into Explosive Ordnance Disposal with the ICRC

Around the world, the grim legacy of armed conflict persists long after the guns fall silent. Explosive remnants of war pose an ongoing risk to the safety and lives of countless civilians.

Streets of South Darfur Capital Littered with UXO/ERW

Public roads and neighbourhoods in the South Darfur capital Nyala are reportedly littered with unexploded ordnance and explosive remnants of war, threatening civilians over and above the challenges they already face.

Flooding in Libya Displace Landmines as Death Toll Rises

Many people in Libya have been left without fresh drinking water since the floods contaminated sources, but there's a new danger if they travel to get water: landmines displaced by strong currents.

JMU attends Global Citizenship and Peace seminar in Hiroshima

The workshop aimed to empower students to become agents of change in addressing climate adaptation and resilience.

Ukraine Interested in Cambodia’s Humanitarian Demining Experience

Yemen has one of the world's highest rates of contamination with landmines and other deadly explosives, the International Committee of the Red Cross has warned, nine years after the start of the brutal civil war.

Yemen's Explosives Contamination Among World's Worst

Yemen has one of the world's highest rates of contamination with landmines and other deadly explosives, the International Committee of the Red Cross has warned, nine years after the start of the brutal civil war.

Hello, my name is Dardanë

Dardanë Halimi is The Graduate School's new blogger — read her post.

Butcher Brown and the JMU Jazz Ensemble to Perform at Wilson Hall on Sept. 22 at 8 p.m.

Richmond’s innovative jazz band joins forces with James Madison University’s premier jazz ensemble for a night of musical brilliance

With Drones, Geophysics and AI, Researchers Prepare to Do Battle Against Landmines

At an experimental explosives range in Oklahoma, a team searches for buried ordnance. Foreground, an unexploded U.S.-made M6A1 antitank rocket. All weapons shown in this story have been disarmed.

MAG and Partners Mark Milestone in Lebanon

Lebanon has been declared free of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) laid by ISIS following a five-year clearance project that has benefited thousands of people and seen almost 3M square meters of land declared safe.

Blinken Focuses on Mine Clearing in Ukraine as U.S. Lays Groundwork for Life After War

Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited a Ukrainian demining unit on Thursday. Blinken arrived in Kyiv on Wednesday and pledged more than $1 billion in additional aid, including funds for equipment to clear mines.

Kay Coles James continues to immerse herself in life of public service

Newest member of the JMU Board of Visitors hosts an open discussion on bipartisan communication

Ukraine Surpasses Syria With the Most Cluster-Munition Casualties in the World

More than 300 people were killed and over 600 wounded by cluster munitions in Ukraine in 2022, according to an international watchdog, surpassing Syria as the country with the highest number of casualties.

Dayton’s International Peace Museum Features Exhibit on Cluster Bombs and Vietnam War

A new exhibit at Dayton’s International Peace Museum spotlights Southeast Asia, the Vietnam War and the use of cluster bombs and munitions.

Civilian Injured by Explosive Remnant of War in Eastern Hama Countryside

A civilian was severely injured due to the explosion of an object of war remnants in Al-Rebah village in northern Salamyah countryside in eastern Hama within regime-held area, where he was taken to a hospital.

Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) Calls on Land Developers to Ask for Demining Assistance

The CMAA called on business owners who invest in areas suspected of having landmines or explosive remnants of war (ERW) to request that CMAA inspect the land.

The Dukes Vote Podcast, Episode 6: AI in Higher Education

n this episode, the Democracy Fellows explore how artificial intelligence affects higher education and our learning

UNICEF Geneva Discusses Impact of War on Children's Education

This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia Regina De Dominicis – to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva

College of Business eNews: September 2023

Stay informed. Read the September issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

National Suicide Prevention Week 2023

September 10-16th is National Suicide Prevention and Awareness Week. This week is a time to renew our focus on learning about suicide prevention, and ensure we are taking care of ourselves & others.

Kayah Landmine Clearers Working With Pliers and Bare Hands

More than 100,000 people have been displaced from Kayah State in Myanmar, according to the United Nations, and those trying to return home do so at the peril of landmines retreating fighters leave behind.

Switzerland to Send Remote-Controlled Deminer to Ukraine

A Swiss remote-controlled mine-clearing machine is ready to be sent to Ukraine, the defence ministry said on Tuesday.

Working while exploring the world

CoB alumna leverages her degree while traveling the globe

Cambodia to Host International Gathering on Landmines & ERW

A representative of the Ottawa Convention expressed strong commitment and support for Cambodia’s vision and efforts in demining by assisting the Kingdom’s hosting of an international mine victim conference.

Norwegian Deminers Helping Replant Angkor Park

National authorities in Cambodia said that the demining organization Norwegian People's Aid has planted 180 trees and 300 square meters of grass at the Angkor site.

Children make up 85% of unexploded ordnance casualties in Afghanistan

The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has said that Afghanistan is one of the most weapon-contaminated countries in the world, and children make up about 85% of the casualties.

Alum directs Boy Scouts National Jamboree

Tom Pendleton (’98) was at the helm of this year’s event in West Virginia.

Donor generosity continues post-Unleashed

Donors gave more than $27.5 million in charitable gifts to JMU during fiscal year 2023

Cambodia Deminers Remove UXO from Sunken Ship

Deminers could remove only about 20% of the unexploded ordnances (UXO) from a ship destroyed by Khmer Rouge soldiers during the Lon Nol regime and is lying buried under Mekong River in Prey Veng province.

From Harrisonburg to New York City: How one student is realizing dreams in two cities

Despite the challenges, one CoB student is making dreams a reality.

Colombia: Rejection of the Use of Anti-personnel Mines in the Department of Nariño

The Colombian Campaign against Mines denounced that during the past weekend, 7 victims of antipersonnel mines were registered in the department of Nariño, in the south of Colombia.

How Drones Are Helping Demine Ukraine

Ukrainian forces are using Draganfly drones to spot and remove Russian landmines. CEO Cameron Chell believes small drones will reshape the future of conflict.

One Thing May Save Ukraine From Russia's Mine Warfare Nightmare: Spider Boots

Spider boots may sound like one of the cool magic items you can find in fantasy games, but this specially-designed four-legged footwear exists in real life, and is literally a matter of saving life and limb.

Solomons Communities Warned to Stay Clear of Bomb Demolition Exercise

The Royal Solomon Islands Police Force Explosive Ordnance Disposal Team is conducting a live demolition of bombs at Hells Point, in the Alligator Creek area east of Honiara today.

Zimbabwe Defence Forces Conduct Demining Operations

The Zimbabwe Defence Forces (ZDF) are engaged in demining exercises in Matabeleland North and Masvingo provinces in line with the country's National Mine Action Stregy that seeks to get rid of landmines in the country.

Alumna turns home into sanctuary for Ukrainian relatives

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 hit close to home in Harrisonburg for some residents

Deadly Surprises From Putin Lurk Under These Family Homes

Massive mine removal operations are underway in Ukraine as the country tries to repair some of the damage from the Russian occupation nearly one-and-a-half years into the war.

Thousands of Pieces of Unexploded Ordnance Found Buried at Cambodian School

Cambodian authorities have temporarily closed a high school where thousands of pieces of unexploded ordnance from the country’s nearly three decades of civil war have been unearthed.

U.S. universities launch partnership to elevate free speech to counter threats to democracy

The Campus Call for Free Expression is designed to cultivate freedom of expression on campuses.

Harvest of Duds: What Cluster Munitions in Laos Can Teach Ukraine

As recently as 2021, Laos has experienced a sudden spike in fatalities from unexploded munitions: 63 people died that year, a figure higher than the previous two years combined.

Alger: Financial aid is 'single biggest need' to diversify JMU further

President Alger discusses the Supreme Court's ruling on race-conscious admissions.

Women Make South Sudan Safe, One Explosion at a Time

South Sudan has been in turmoil for most of its existence. It fought for decades to gain independence from neighboring Sudan in Africa’s longest-lasting civil war.

Clearing Landmines From Ukraine Will Be a Huge Task (But It Can Be Done)

Ukraine is now the most mined country on Earth, surpassing even Syria and Afghanistan, according to a report called Walking on Fire: Demining in Ukraine, issued last month by Globsec, a think tank in Slovakia.

ISAT professor receives outstanding service award

Rod MacDonald is awarded the Systems Dynamics Society Outstanding Service Award

Over 5 Million Square Meters Cleared of Landmines in Kurdistan

More than 5 million square meters across the Kurdistan Region’s minefields have been cleared of landmines since 2019, revealed the Kurdistan Regional Government’s (KRG) mine agency on Monday.

JMU physicist, students had role in second groundbreaking discovery at national lab

JMU physicist, students were among the contributors to experiments that led to a groundbreaking particle physics discovery.

U.S.-Funded Demining Strengthens Food Security in South Sudan

Climate change and continued conflict exacerbate South Sudan’s food security challenges, as four years of extreme floods have reduced agricultural yields and increased South Sudan’s reliance on costlier food supplies.

A Rocket Took Her Leg: She Defines the Pain and Resilience of Yemen

Shaimaa Ali Ahmed, 12, lost her leg at age 6 after happening upon an unexploded rocket. Yemeni children like her bear an outsized burden from the civil war, where land mines and ordnance litter the landscape.

Russian Forces Hiding Landmines in Everyday Items say Ukrainian Military Engineers

Ukrainian military engineers report that that Russian forces are hiding set deadly booby traps in toys, fridges, and children's books. 

English graduate Kevin Bie (’22) receives Fulbright Scholarship Award

English graduate Kevin Bie (’22) receives Fulbright Scholarship Award

Landmine Explosion Kills Child and Injures Two Others in Al-Bokamal City

Old landmine in Syria explodes, killing one and severely injuring two others in Al-Bokamal city the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports.

A Lurking Threat: Landmines Await Lay Kay Kaw Returnees

Although fighting has subsided, displaced residents from Lay Kay Kaw are unable to return home because the area is sown with landmines planted by both the military and its opponents.

Ugandan Peacekeepers Clear Unexploded Ordnance in Eastern DRC

Ugandan farmers from Mabenga village lauded the UPDF EACRF contingent for their efforts toward removing the unexploded ordnance.

Ukraine Will Produce its Own Mine Clearance Machines

In Ukraine, a machine for preparing the soil for mine clearance was certified, granting the manufacturer a certificateand a declaration of conformity allowing it to produce and use the machines.

Unexploded Bomb Safely Defused in Nghe An, Vienam

Decades after the end of the war, Vietnam still suffers from the deadly threat of bombs, mines, and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left by war.

Croatia Allocates 1 Million Euros for Demining in Ukraine

Croatia contributes one million euro to demining efforts in Ukraine to restore agricultural land impacted by explosive hazards in Kharkiv Oblast.

Incendiary Bomb Found in Kurdistan Region’s Choman District

A Soviet-era ZAB100 incendiary bomb along with five anti-personnel mines were found in Erbil and destroyed by a team from the Iraqi Kurdistan Mine Action Agency.

Ukrainian Farmers Invited to Apply for Land to Demined

In Ukraine, farmers from Bohodukhivska, Chuhuivska, Iziumska, Kharkivska and Kupianska hromadas of Kharkivska oblast are invited to apply for demining support and land rehabilitation.

Disabilities in Syria: A "Hidden" Crisis

Recent surveys suggest that, after a decade of war, around a third of the Syrian population now has a disability of some kind. The recent earthquake only made this worse, aid organizations say.

Wildfire in Greece Triggers Explosions at an Ammunition Depot

Fires have raged across parts of Greece during three successive Mediterranean heat waves and have lead to massive explosions at an ammunition depot in central Greece.

Russian Landmines Pose a Persistent and Deadly Threat in Ukraine

As Ukrainian forces slowly push ahead with their 2023 counteroffensive after more than a year of shifting battle lines, the country’s military and civilians face a deadly problem: thousands of landmines.

US and Norway Promise $20.8 Million to Increase UXO Clearance in Southern Laos

The governments of the United States and Norway continue their long-term commitments to support the UXO sector in Lao PDR, comitting a combined total of over USD $20.8 million NPA for survey and clearance.

Forest Fire Triggers Landmine Explosions in Croatia

Strong winds and exploding landmines prevent Croatian firefighters from battled wildfires spreading in the Dubrovnik area south of the Croatian Adriatic city.

JMU students interviewed about sensory processing disorders

Walmarts across the U.S. will add “sensory friendly” hours. Occupational Therapist from James Madison University were interviewed by TV-3 on the topic.

Ukraine Says Allies Commit $244 Million for Humanitarian Demining

The U.S. State Department estimated in early December that some 160,000 square kilometres (62,000 square miles) of Ukrainian land needed to be checked for explosives hazards. That is nearly half the size of Germany.

UN Watchdog Says Landmines Are Placed Around Ukrainian Nuke Plant Occupied by Russia

The UN atomic watchdog says its staff at Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant report seeing AP mines around the site as Kyiv pursues a counteroffensive against the Kremlin’s entrenched forces.

Almost 700 People Killed and Injured by Landmines in Ukraine

In Ukraine, 221 people have been killed and another 450 have been injured by landmines and other explosive objects since the beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion.

“Metal Detectors Are No Use”: Challenge of Removing Landmines in Ukraine

Without the right technology, the Ukrainian counteroffensive is progressing slowly. The Ukrainian deminers and soldiers know there are larger minefields ahead.

Geospatial Semester students sweep awards at ESRI’s International Conference

Loudoun County, Virginia, students in JMU’s renowned Geospatial Semester win big at the ESRI International User’s Conference.

"There is always risk": The Zimbabwean Deminer in South Sudan

In many areas of South Sudan, there are still bombs, landmines and improvised explosive devices, and other hazardous materials, another peril for a population already grappling with armed violence, natural disasters and

UXO Continues to Harm Development, People’s Livelihood in Laos

The unexploded ordnance (UXO), mainly cluster munitions, has caused great harm to people's livelihood and remains a major challenge to Laos' socio-economic development.

JMU president to visit Hiroshima to participate in international summit

His attendance highlights JMU's commitment to fostering international partnerships and collaboration through education.

Furious Flower Poetry Center hosts more than 20 scholars and poets to create an open-access curriculum

Furious Flower Poetry Center and Furious Flower Advisory Board creates open-access Furious Flower Syllabus

Over 900 Kilometers in Bosnia and Herzegovina are Mine Suspected Areas

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, mine-suspected area accounts for 1.96 percent of the territory, as demining organizations conduct clearance in five municipalities.

What Are Cluster Munitions and Why Is the United States Sending Them to Ukraine?

The United States has announced that it will send cluster munitions to Ukraine after weeks of internal debate and public speculation. Ukraine has asked for these munitions that are highly effective against area targets.

Demining Ukraine: Bringing Lifesaving Expertise Back Home

As of June, 540,000 items of unexploded ordnance have already been cleared, but making Ukraine safe is a difficult and very expensive long-term prospect.

Kingdom Continues Demining Training for Ukraine Officers

Cambodia has continued with the provision of demining training to Ukrainian officers, with a continuation of the training programme carried out in January being undertaken for five days earlier this month.

At Least Eight People Killed in Somalia Landmine Explosion

Despite no organization claiming its responsibility, local officials blame the Al-Qaeda-linked Al-Shabaab terrorist group for the attack.

Advancing U.S. Alliances and Partnerships through Security Sector Governance Initiatives

Alliances and partnerships are among the United State's most important strategic relationships. They foster peace and security by promulgating international norms and good security sector governance principles.

Iraq Begins Program to Support Mine Victims

The Iraqi government adopted a new step to support victims of mines left during successive wars by starting a support program, amid local and international commendations and claims to be one the best in the world.

College of Business eNews: July 2023

Stay informed. Read the July issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Long After Wars End, Landmines Continue to Kill

When Ukraine needed training on removing landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) left behind by Russian forces, who did it turn to? It was probably not who you'd expect.

Bozena-5 Demining System Assembly Begins for Ukraine After Fundraising

The Bozena-5 demining system, based on tested technology used in UN missions, is expected to provide significant assistance in mine clearance operations in Ukraine.

Farmer Injured in Landmine Explosion in Kherson Oblast

A farmer was injured in an explosion caused by an unidentified Russian landmine while cultivating a field in the village of Posad-Pokrovske in Kherson Oblast, the regional military administration reported on July 2.

From James Madison University to Monticello to Colonial Williamsburg

SADAH alumna Emily Nootbaar selected as Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg’s Americana Foundation curatorial intern

Heroic Deminer Carries on Father’s Fight

Srey Sros starts her day at 5:45AM, journeying approximately 20km from her home to the demining fields. By 7am, she is kitted up in a protective vest and helmet, designed to shield her from fragments and explosions.

African Rodents Set To Clear Nagorno-Karabakh Minefields

An army of rats is set to sniff its way across land in Azerbaijan working, literally, for peanuts as they hunt for land mines.

Explosive Remnants of War Threaten Farming Activities, Add Layer to Dire Food Crisis in Tigray Region

According to the UN’s Mine Action Service, 726 sq km in Ethiopia remain contaminated by landmines and ERW from past internal and international conflicts.

State Department Funded Deminer Training Kicks off in Azerbaijan

The United States is partnering with ANAMA, MAG, and the International Eurasia Press Fund to traing and equip four, 14-person deming teams in Azerbaijan, promoting regional peace and cooperation.

Campus collaboration supports emerging African leaders

CoB and CISR work to train the next generation of leaders from Africa.

Years After the War Ends, Bombs Continue to Kill

UXO is still being discovered 50 years after the Vietnam War ended; however the United States has channelled millions to clean up UXO in country.

Vietnam Approves UXO Consequence Action Programme

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a decision approving a 2023-2025 national action programme on the settlement of consequences of unexploded ordnances (UXOs) left by the war.

Iraq Launches Strategy for Mine Action 2023–2028

The Supreme National Committee for Mine Action recently voted on a number of decisions to support the national mine action program and approved a strategy for the years 2023–2028.

History students rediscover alleged local plot to kill George Washington

The case, from 1779, is being reintroduced to the public courtesy of three graduate assistants.

Mines Dislodged by Ukraine Dam Could Wash Up on Beaches

Mines dislodged by Kakhovka dam collapse could wash up on Black sea beaches according to United Nations official.

Landmine Explosion Kills Shepherd on Kurdistan-Iran Border

A landmine explosion in an Erbil town on the border between the Kurdistan Region and Iran claimed the life of a 65-year-old shepherd on Sunday.

All the way to Galway

College of Business students head to Ireland.

Demining Working Group to Develop Mine Action Strategy

The Interdepartmental Working Group on humanitarian demining will work on the development of a Mine Action Strategy. The National Mine Action Authority approved the relevant decision at its meeting on June 16.

Madison International students share their program experiences

Students in Madison International, a JMU Residential Learning Community, provide insights on their experience with the program.

WWII Ordnance Threatens Civilians in the Solomons

Every year at least 20 islanders are killed or maimed by the detonation of leftover bombs, artillery shells, or other munitions.

Eight Security Officers Killed in Garissa Landmine Attack

At least eight security officers have died after a vehicle they were traveling in was hit by a landmine in Garissa, Kenya.

Securing International Airspace Through U.S.-funded Training Programs

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has raised alarm over incessant rise in the possession of illegal arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

Nigeria Raises Alarm Over Proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons

The National Centre for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) has raised alarm over incessant rise in the possession of illegal arms and light weapons in Nigeria.

Teacher preparation program for literacy among nation’s best

JMU's undergraduate teacher preparation program has been recognized by the National Council on Teacher Quality as among the best in the nation.

Tragedy Underscores Need to Address UXO Danger in Somalia

Greater efforts are needed to protect civilians in Somalia from unexploded weapons of war, the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) said on Monday in the wake of a recent deadly incident in the south of the country.

Dislodged Landmines Major Concern as Residents Flee Kherson

The breaching of a major dam in southern Ukraine will have a catastrophic effect on locating landmines, the Red Cross has warned.

Civilians Suffer as Landmines Play Growing Role in Myanmar’s Conflict

The war zone in Myanmar has expanded in the two years since the putsch, and so have the number of minefields. Of the 330 townships in Myanmar, 78 have reported landmine explosions since the coup.

Smoke from Canadian wildfires can affect mental health too

Physical health isn’t the only thing jeopardized by smoke from Canadian wildfires, says graduate psychology professor Debbie Sturm.

Deepening the Fight Against Small Arms Proliferation

Law enforcement, crime, and conflict prevention agencies work together to counter the rising threat of illicit small arms and light weapons proliferation across West Africa.

'Best' Russian Drone Pilots Killed by Own Landmine

Several of Russia's "best specialists" in drone warfare have been killed by mines laid by Moscow's own forces, according to a pro-Kremlin commander.

NGO Signs MoU with the Solomon Islands to Map UXO

HALO’s Solomon Islands staff has spent much of the past two months in Cambodia and Laos learning cutting-edge UXO mapping techniques, including using the latest GPS tools.

Landmine Explosion Kills Two Construction Workers in Northern Samar

In Northern Samar, two people were riding a single motorcycle when they detonated an anti-personnel mine, the military claimed that they also suffered allegedly suffered gunshot wounds.

In Yemen, Landmines Kill 121 People This Year

Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) caused 121 civilian casualties in Yemen during the first quarter of 2023, according to a report released by UNOCHA.

The loneliest black holes may also be the hungriest

Actively growing monster black holes are more common among midsize and dwarf galaxies than in more crowded regions, a study of more than 290,000 galaxies shows.

Algeria Leads the Way Towards a ‘Mine-Free Africa’

Algeria has safely disposed of over eight million landmines, which were left by France as it withdrew following Algerian independence in 1962, as was revealed at an international conference this week.

Russia Lays Mines at 'Industrial Level' Ahead of Ukrainian Counteroffensive

Beyond the military challenge posed to advancing Ukrainian troops, Russian minefields will likely cause hundreds of civilian deaths and require billions of dollars to be safely removed in the coming years experts say.

Letter from the Director

An expanded advisory board can nurture our growing alumni community.

The Green Transition and the Future of Social Europe

EUPS student Francesca Ragonese and Prof. Mario Munta discuss the current state of the Green Transition and its implications for the future of social policy in Europe.

The Gardens of City Life

Take a walk through the flora, fauna and history of Florence’s most treasured gardens!

Building Responsible Artificial Intelligence

EUPS alumna Evi Fuelle (‘14) reflects on her journey into technology governance and shares her insights on the rapidly growing field of AI

Life is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Learn more about EUPS alumnus Seth Tallvik (2010) and his experiences living and working in Europe after years in DC.

South Sudan Clears Mines as People Return Home After War

As South Sudanese trickle back into the country after a peace deal was signed in 2018 to end a five-year civil war that killed nearly 400,000 people and displaced millions, many are returning to areas riddled with mines.

JMU expert says climate anxiety discussion should continue

Mental Health Awareness Month came to an end in May, but recognition of and discussion about anxiety related to climate change shouldn’t.

Government and UXO Companies to Forge Partnership

To explore ways of to dispose of deadly WWII unexploded ordnance in the solomon islands, lcoal commerical UXO companies met with the Solomon Islands Ministry of Police, National Security, and Correctional Services.

College of Business eNews: June 2023

Stay informed. Read the June issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Second International Conference on Mine Action Held in Azerbaijan

The 2nd International Conference on humanitarian mine action and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has been held at the Aghdam Conference Center in Azerbaijan.

New Phase of UXO Clearance Project Begins in Khammuan

A MAG team will search for and examine unexploded devices on farmland and land where development is taking place, in order to allow the socio-economic development of Khammuan province to forge ahead.

Combining CoB "gateway" with study abroad

Business majors marvel at other nations’ sustainability focus.

Royal Navy Divers Help Clear the Baltic Sea of Unexploded Ordnance

Royal Navy divers are making vital Baltic Sea shipping lanes safer by recovering unexploded mines and torpedoes as part of a NATO security mission.

Farmer Finds UXO’s at His Field in Battambang Province

Unexploded ordnance (UXO) was found by a farmer who was working on his rice field in Battambang province.

Almost One Third of Mykolaiv Region Territory, 140 Kilometers of Coast Require Demining

The area of mined territories in Mykolaiv region that need to be examined for the presence of explosives is 754,000 hectares, or 30% of the region's territory. Of these, about 288,000 hectares are agricultural land.

JMU joins Every Campus A Refuge

JMU is expanding its support of compassionate refugee resettlement. 

Madison grad grateful for opportunities offered through Valley Scholars program

Ayam Ali (’23) reflects on her journey to JMU

Russia’s ‘Petal’ Mines Are the Stuff of Nightmares

“Sauna! Lunch! Delivery!” tempts an advertisement by the side of the road. “Mines” reads a fresher sign just underneath. These red warnings bloom all over the scorched earth of eastern Ukraine.

Man Seriously Injured by Landmine While Walking in the Forest

A man was seriously injured after stepping on a landmine while he was walking in the forest to pick vegetables along the Cambodia-Thai border.

Sudan Is Awash With Weapons: What That Means for the War

Sudan is awash with firearms. The country ranks second among its regional neighbors in total firearm estimates, the vast majority of them are in civilian hands.

Yemen Landmines Kill 6 in Hodeidah in April

UN monitors in Yemen recorded 13 civilian casualties caused by landmines and explosive remnants of war (ERW) last month in Yemen’s western province of Hodeidah.

Roots of Peace Founder Wins World Food Prize

A California peace activist who has worked to remove land mines from war-torn regions and replace them with grape vines, fruit trees and vegetables was named the 2023 World Food Prize laureate.

United Nations Peacekeepers Clear Minefields in Lebanon

Almost 13 million square meters of land are today free of explosive devices in Lebanon, as part of the demining process promoted here by the United Nations Interim Force.

Project Raises Awareness of Landmines and UXO in Armenia

An EU and UNDP project organized landmine and explosive hazard awareness activities in Armenia this past April.

West Africa Has a Small Weapons Crisis

Research has found that globally, small arms and light weapons increase the likelihood, intensity and longevity of conflict.

Aid Agencies in Sudan Face Massive Reboot as War Takes Hold

As fighting continues to rage between Sudan’s army and its main paramilitary force, aid agencies say they’re trying to move from crisis management to mapping out what a reconfigured relief effort might look like.

The war in Ukraine

JMU professors frame the conflict and its impact on Europe and beyond.

Germany Makes Available Additional Funds for Victims of Landmines in BiH

Additional funds made available for landmine victims in Bosnia and Herzegovina by the Federal Republic of Germany.

Irish Troops Train Ukrainian Deminers in Cyprus

In Cyrpus, Irish troops providing explosive ordnance disposal training to Ukrainian deminers as part of an EU program to train Ukrainian forces.

Reimagining fashion

Anna Lee (’23) pledges to help create a sustainable marketplace for future fashion and design

Voices of war

Students and faculty members from Russia and Ukraine open up about how the war in Ukraine is affecting them.

Ukrainian Government Launches Fundraising Platform for Humanitarian Demining

Ukrainian President Zelenskyy announced the UNITED24 platform is launching the Humanitarian Demining direction to raise funds for the demining of Ukrainian land.

Kyiv Says Six Deminers Killed By Russian Shelling

Ukrainian State Emergency Service says six deminer with SES were killed by Russian sheleling while conducting clearance in the Kherson region.

Local organizations roll out welcome mat for refugees

Harrisonburg has a longstanding tradition of welcoming people from countries ravaged by war, poverty and economic instability.

Half a Dozen Land Mines Destroyed Along Loc in Balakote

Near the line of control in the Balakote sector, an Indian bomb disposal squad destroyed multiple landmines threatening army personnel.

Magway Region Landmine Attack on Myanmar Junta Convoy

Landmines planted by Yezagyo People’s Defense Force (PDF) in Magway Region’s Yezagyo Township hit a junta military convoy killing at least three junta soldiers and injuring many others, according to the PDF.

Professor’s research delayed by war in Ukraine

Before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, Kristen St. John was to serve as the co-chief scientist of an international team studying climate change in the Arctic Ocean.

Studying abroad at JMU

Growing and thriving in a new environment

‘Our Islands Are Plagued by Bombs From the Second World War’

Eighty years after intense battles were fought over the archipelago, Solomon Islanders are still regularly maimed and killed by ordnance

Endless learning in the Music City

Acquiring professional skills in the sport industry is like running a marathon: It starts with a few small steps.

Colombia: Help for Landmine Survivors

Land mines are a sad inheritance of the Colombian civil – and they continue to mutilate and kill. LWF in Colombia, together with FELM, raises awareness about the danger and supports people after land mine accidents.

Ukrainian orchestra honors homeland through song

The Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine performed at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts as part of its six-week American tour.

Revolutionary Autonomous Tractor Tackles Ukraine’s Landmine Problem

Innovation Origins is developing cutting-edge technology that aims to save lives in Ukraine while allowing agriculture to thrive on previously dangerous lands.

Ukrainian Farmer Comes up With Novel Way to Demine His Fields

In Ukraine, Oleksandr Kryvtsov, a general manager at his agricultural company, decided he couldn't wait for help from overworked official deminers to clear his field.

CMAA, Vallon Hold Tech Workshop on Demining

The Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority and Vallon GmbH can a regional workshop in Cambodia on solutions for locating landmines and other unexploded ordnance.

The humanitarian toll of explosive hazards

CISR and its alumni shed light on the use of conventional weapons in the Russia-Ukraine war.

Learning by doing in the Dominican Republic

More than a dozen first-generation and otherwise underrepresented students were given a unique opportunity to study abroad during spring break.

College of Business eNews: May 2023

Stay informed. Read the May issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Protecting the worker

Alumna offers legal aid for low-wage earners to help them fight for their rights in the workplace.

SAAM inspires awareness events

JMU acknowledges Sexual Assault Awareness Month through awareness-raising events.

WWII Bomb Destroyed in Kota Belud by Royal Malaysian Navy Divers

The Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN) has destroyed an unexploded bomb that was believed to have been used during the Second World War (WWII) in Pulau Mantanani, Kota Belud.

Using Design Thinking to Invent a Low-Cost Prosthesis for Landmine Victims

Can design thinking help nonprofits sustain both innovation and its human impact into the future? Harvard Buisness Review looks at the philosophy of designing low-cost prosthesis for landmine victims.

Co-op in Cambodia Teaches Northeastern Student to Be Comfortable in Uncomfortable Situations

The Landmine Relief Fun, an American nongovernmental organization established to support the work of a former Khmer Rouge child-soldier Aki Ra, provides student co-op opportunity in Cambodia.

Back in action

Dukes show up and show out in annual competitions.

High Risk, High Reward: EOD in Kosovo

The U.S. Army EOD team at Camp Bondsteel, Kosovo, is on call 24/7 and has an average response time of 30 minutes upon receiving a 9-line request to remove UXO.

JMU: Where students from Kosovo earn their master's degrees

Kosovar students support JMU students on Kosovo's Independence Day

Assessment & Measurement program attends NCME and AERA

Students and faculty recently traveled to Chicago, IL to attend the annual meetings of the National Council on Measurement in Education (NCME) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Two Arts and Letters faculty awarded Fulbright Scholarships

Arts and Letters Faculty, Daniel Beers (justice studies) and Ken Rutherford (political science), were awarded Fulbright Scholarships to conduct research abroad in 2023-24.

IA students present at the Annual Intelligence Studies Consortium Symposium

Three IA students Kylie King, Adam Scroggins, and Maddie Walden were the only undergraduate presenters accepted to the symposium.

Health Sciences students and faculty educate about health disparities

At the 2023 JMU Diversity Conference, Health Sciences faculty and students presented on the disparities in healthcare and how book club sessions can educate people on the topic.

International Ph.D. student making her mark on Madison

Tatjana Titareva’s dissertation is on the use of artificial intelligence in higher education administration.

In Ukraine, a Nasty Cleanup Job With No End in Sight

American volunteers in Ukraine are conducting EOD and demining operations, but as nonprofits, many need additional funding for the scope of contamination.

JMU nursing looks to increase diversity with new admissions approach

The decision to pursue holistic admissions reflects the School of Nursing’s commitment to inclusive excellence.

Landmine Injures Two UN Peace Keepers in Mali

Two UN military personnel were wounded by a landmine blast near the village Amba, 75 km from Douentza, in the Mopti region of Mali.

Quang Tri Completes Survey of Unexploded Ordnance Areas

The central province of Quang Tri has completed a survey of cluster bomb remnants in all accessible areas since its launch eight years ago, reported Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) Vietnam on April 18.

Using OSINT to Help in Mine Clearance Operations in Ukraine

Open source intelligence (OSINT) is a term used to describe information acquired from publicly available sources. This includes both online and offline sources.

University Student is Sole Undergraduate Winner of NSF Fellowship

Binghamton University student only undergraduate to be awarded this year’s National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship for her research in humanitarian demining geophysics, or landmine detection.

JMU meets the test in annual global competition

Mentor praises CFA Challenge team members as ‘self-starters.’

Ukraine Farmer Risks Life Clearing Shells From Fields

In Ukraine's Mykolaiv region, although demining teams are out in force some farmers are taking clearance into their own hands.

JMU geologist had role in groundbreaking research

William Lukens said Thursday’s publication of two articles in Science — which establish a new paradigm for ape evolution and their ecosystems in eastern Africa — is a career highlight.

Frontline Cemeteries Shut to Ukrainians for Easter Because of UXO

Hundreds of cemeteries near front lines will be closed to Ukrainians wanting to pay their respects at graves of their relatives for Orthodox Easter this weekend, as officials fear the danger of land mines and UXO.

Experts Review Civilian Possession of Arms in ECOWAS

As part of the reduction of insecurity and the fight against illicit arms trafficking, the ECOWAS Commission brought together during a workshop, independent subject matter experts on issues of arms control.

Hidden in the Grass: Russia’s Trip Wires and Landmines

As Moscow’s troops set booby traps in forests, houses and backyards, finding them has become a dangerous art for Ukrainian soldiers.

TetraTech Sends Fifteen Pickup Trucks to Help Ukraine Demine Liberated Territories

TetraTech, a US company, has donated 15 Toyota "Hilux" pickups to Ukraine’s State Emergency Service to help pyrotechnic units in demining territories from explosive objects following the Russian invasion.

Will you take the trip?

Couple’s cross-country journey meant to drive home a point

Changing the narrative

With the goal of turning something negative into a positive, the Williamsburg Alumni Chapter collected 600+ children's books to donate to the schools in the local communities.

Seven Truffle Pickers in Syria Killed by Landmine

Seven truffle hunters were killed by a landmine left in the Syrian Desert by Islamic State near Deir ez Zor, while regime shelling of Idlib province killed a child.

Shepherd in Erbil Province Diffuses Thousands of Landmines

Landmines have been planted in the Kurdistan region since the 1960s, ove the past 30 yeards, a shepherd from the north of Erbil has diffused thousands of landmines for the past 30 years.

College of Business eNews: April 2023

Stay informed. Read the April issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Fauci defends COVID-19 decisions during Madison Vision Series event

Shutting down schools, businesses and institutions in the wake of COVID-19 helped save lives and contain the spread of the virus, Fauci says.

New Report Showcases U.S. Global Leadership in Conventional Weapons Destruction and Landmine Clearance

In fiscal year 2022, the United States supported conventional weapons destruction activities in more than 65 countries and areas with more than $376 million according to newly released annual DoSreport.

Ukraine Is Top Recipient of U.S. Mine Clearing Aid

The U.S. State Department documented its efforts to help more than 60 countries destroy explosive hazards and other conventional weapons, with Ukraine receiving the most assistance in fiscal year 2022 — more than $91M.

Graduate Psychology students present at NASPA

Students and faculty from the Department of Graduate Psychology partnered with colleagues in the Division of Student Affairs (SA) to present at the NASPA conference.

Angola Landmines: The Women Hunting for Explosives Left From Civil War

An increasing number of women in Angola are working to get rid of the scourge of landmines left from the 27-year civil war, which are still claiming victims long after the fighting finished.

Students recognized with national awards

Congratulations!

The Affirmative Action conversation colleges should be having

JMU President Jonathan R. Alger discusses the upcoming Supreme Court decision on Affirmative Action.

Distinguished alumna takes ‘atypical path’ to CFR lifetime membership

Jamie Jones Miller ('99) joins President Alger on the Council on Foreign Relations.

Humanitarian Ministry, GICHD Partner on Environmental Demining

Speaking during a visit to the Ministry, by a delegation of GICHD, the Chief, Mine Action Programmes, Valon Kumnova, said that the purpose of the visit was to look into some of the problems currently faced by Nigeria, an

Researching tax-change implications and outcomes

International tax provisions could affect economic growth.

Persisting Challenges in Demining in Post-Conflict Areas

An anti-personnel mine is easily laid or merely strewn across battlefield gaps to restrict enemy movement. Mankind over the years has suffered very extensively due to anti-personnel mines with casualties.

Child Casualties from Houthi Landmines Increase Eight-Fold in Yemen

Despite a year of calm in Yemen, the research said child casualties from Houthi landmines increased during the April to October 2022 truce in the country.

Uplift in the Mile High City

Alternative Spring Break immerses students in volunteer service.

ISAT students attend conference in Mexico

Students’ work revealed how interdisciplinary research and coursework are vital to students’ learning.

Documentary photographer Giles Duley to speak on JMU campus

Giles Duley, internationally-recognized documentary photographer and UN Global Advocate for Disability in Conflict and Peacebuilding Situations, will speak for CISR's Global Humanitarian Week event this Thursday.

Unexploded Rockets, Mines, and Grenades: Inside the Hunt to Destroy Lethal Ordnance in Ukraine

Throughout Ukraine’s fields, grasslands, and forests, it’s the job of a few hundred de-mining experts to locate, secure, and disable or destroy these hazards.

Protecting the Innocent, the Land, and the Body: Traditional Sources of Restraint on Landmine Use

What drives restraint in armed conflict? Recent studies have examined different factors contributing to restraint behaviour, mainly focusing on strategic incentives such as seeking legitimacy from global audiences.

Civilians in Northern Myanmar Face Growing Risks From Landmines

Chin Human Rights Organization says at least 11 civilians have been killed and 20 others injured by landmines since Myanmar’s February 2021 coup.

OSCE and Spain’s Guardia Civil Build Capacity to Prevent Illicit Trafficking of SALW

The OSCE and Spain’s Guardia Civil launched a specialized canine team instructor course for eight Ukrainian specialists at the Guardia Civil’s Dog Training Centre (CADEPE) on 21 March 2023.

Cambodia to Host Int’l Mine Victim Conference

Cambodia announced that it will host an international victim assistance conference this October for survivors of landmines and other explosive remnants of war, focusing on the context of disability rights.

Civilians Surrender Illegal Small Arms in the Philippines

The Philippine military collected nearly three dozen illegal weapons from civilians in the Muslim province of Basilan, security officials said Tuesday.

NASCAR's drive for change

Hart School alumnus talks DEI within a predominantly-white sport.

Metal-Detecting Drone Could Autonomously Find Landmines

In development at the Autonomous Systems Lab at ETH Zurich, a novel combination of a metal detector and a drone with five degrees of freedom may provide a viable solution to remote landmine detection.

Before Power Is Back, Deminers Must Make Ukraine’s War Repairs Safe

Clearing the whole of eastern Ukraine of explosive hazards will take years, but as the country tries to restore power, water and heating to towns and villages, de-mining teams have to prioritize.

Iraq War 20 Years On: The Most Mined Country on Earth and Clearance Efforts Will Take ‘Decades’, Experts Warn

A recorded 1,733 square kilometres of land in Iraq was contaminated with landmines at the end of 2021, making it most heavily mined country in the world as clearance efforts are still “decades” away from completion.

Anyone Can Cook!

Learn how to prepare a four-course Italian meal from a local professional chef

OSCE Organizes Explosive Ordnance Disposal Level 3 Course in Dushanbe for Central Asian Demining Specialists

Together with the Tajikistan Ministry of Defence and U.S. Army Central, OSCE's recent EOD level 3 course in Dushanbe covers a wide range of topics from EOD safety to demolition range management.

CMAC, JICA to Cooperate on Landmine Clearance

Under the South-South Cooperation, CMAC shares experience, knowledge, and skills in demining not only with Ukraine but also with many countries such as Angola, Iraq, Laos, and Colombia.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 12 Participates in Humanitarian Mine Action in Croatia

HMA is a Department of State-led initiative to certify U.S. and partner EOD teams in HMA and increase partner nation capabilities in the areas of de-mining, ordnance and explosive stockpile management, and EOD training.

Demining Ukraine: “The Most Important Thing Is to Protect People”

Ukraine is the most mine-contaminated country on earth. Red warning signs bearing skulls and crossbones litter the fields and forests of liberated territories, whilst civilians are still falling prey to explosives long a

Ukraine Calls for Equipment From Partners to Help Demine Some 2.5 Million Hectares of Land

In Ukraine, Kherson farmers can only hope to sow 30 percent of agricultural land due to unexploded ordnance and landmines. Combat engineers, at the request of the locals, are on hand to demine the land.

Assessment & Measurement students and faculty present at ICPS

Assessment and Measurement professor Sara Finney and graduate students Kate Schaefer and Mara McFadden traveled to Brussels, Belgium to present three studies at the International Convention of Psychological Sciences.

Fauci, Acosta to headline Madison Vision Series event in April

The town hall will be free and open to the public.

Mainstreaming Gender in Albanian Police Through the OSCE's SALW Project

Through OSCE, female police officers in Albania are assisting the national authorities to decrease the risk of weapon proliferation and misuse of small arms and light weapons.

Libya’s First Female Deminers Must Deal With More Than Bombs

The first women to clear dangerous explosives in Libya are part of an international trend for gender equity in the job.

Two Thai Park Rangers Injured in Landmine Explosion in Chiang Mai Forest

Two park rangers were injured by what is believed to have been a landmine while their five-man team was patrolling in the Pha Daeng National Park in Chai Prakan district of Chiang Mai.

200 Units of Erw’s and Ammunitions Cleared From Village in Kratie Province

The Mine clearing unit of the National Center for the Management of Peacekeeping Forces and Demining (NPMEC) are hard at work in clearing mines in Thnal village, Svay Chres commune, Snuol district, Kratie province.

US Donates Vehicles, Equipment for UXO Clearance in Laos

The US government has provided new vehicles and equipment to the Lao National Unexploded Ordnance Programme for UXO clearance operations, worth at US$1.3 million (21 billion kip).

In Kosovo, Ukrainians Are Trained in Demining

In Pec, in western Kosovo, at the foot of the snow-capped Dinaric Alps, lit by the February sun, the setting is breathtaking. However, Aleksandar (first name changed at his request) is not there to enjoy the view.

Three Killed in Landmine Explosion in Syria

At least three civilians were killed when a landmine planted by radicals exploded in a residential neighborhood in the city of Deir Ezzor, the capital of the eastern Syrian province of the same name.

Invisible Heroes: How Deminers in Ukraine Tackle Dangerous Fields on Liberated Lands

Every day, deminers in Ukraine venture out into the unknown: each step in booby-trapped fields left over from Russian occupation could be their last. But it’s a laborious job that needs to be done, says The Halo Trust.

Mine Clearing, the Work of Heroes

Since the late 1980s, the mine-clearing community has been working hard to protect citizens in communities contaminated by landmines. Today, Ukraine is now in acute need of mines and unexploded ordinance clearance.

In Liberated Ukraine City, Civilians Still Pay Price of War

Izium is a gruesome reminder of the human cost of the war in Ukraine. Six months after it was liberated, civilian residents say they continue to pay the price.

Small Arms Control as a Precondition for Peace, Security and Development

In post-conflict contexts, managing stocks of arms can be key to preventing the resurgence of violence. Effective and transparent control over small arms contributes to peacebuilding, community security and development.

Border Control Critical in Efforts to Combat Proliferation of Small Arms

Small arms and light weapons pose an enormous and ever growing peace and security threat particularly when they end up in the wrong hands

College of Business eNews: March 2023

Stay informed. Read the March issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

Ukraine May Need 70 Years to Demine Territories

Considering the scale of mine pollution, demining efforts may last up to 70 years. Therefore, to solve this problem as soon as possible, strong support from international partners is needed.

From the Battlefield to the UN

Giles Duley discusses his new role as the United Nations’ first global advocate for persons with disabilities in conflict and peacebuilding situations.

Preventing and Eradicating the Deadly Legacy of Explosive Remnants of War

In this post, ICRC Legal Adviser Eirini Giorgou lays out the obligations under international humanitarian law (IHL) for States and non-State armed groups with regard to explosive remnants of war.

Government Declares Kampong Chhnang Mine-Free

The senior minister of the Royal Government of Cambodia stated that, as of February, a total of more than 7 square kilometers of suspected landmines and unexploded ordnance had been cleared in Kampong Chhnang province.

Soils of War: The Toxic Legacy for Ukraine’s Breadbasket

Using the samples and satellite imagery, scientists estimated that the war in Ukraine has degraded at least 10.5 million hectares of agricultural land across the country.

8 Killed, Over 40 Injured in ISIS Landmine Blast in Deir Ez-Zor

SOHR has documented the death of 51 civilians due to explosions of old landmines, unexploded shells and bombs across Syria since early 2023.

Black in America

“There's never been a golden age to be Black in America. Will you be a part in making that happen?”

Syria Landmine Blasts Kill 10 Truffle Hunters

Landmines planted by jihadists killed 10 civilians in central Syria on Monday, state media reported, in the latest in a wave of deadly incidents involving truffle hunters.

Russian Land Mines in Ukraine Threaten Food Security Across the Globe

Due to extensive explosive contamination "25 percent of the Ukrainian rural population involved in agriculture stopped their activities or reduced their output due to the war." reported the UNFAO.

Ukraine is Becoming the World’s Largest Minefield

Ukraine is fast becoming the biggest minefield on the planet and while military action often takes center stage, another type of war is going on in Ukraine being “fought” by personnel from the State Emergency Service.

Colombian Navy’s Demining Work Brings Hope

The Colombian Navy's Demining Battalion and Amphibious Engineers, through the Humanitarian Demining Company, destroyed explosive devices, and cleared in Sucre.

MAG Awarded $8 Million for Ukraine Operations

MAG has been active in Ukraine since April 2022, delivering risk education to Ukrainian communities at risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance through a partnership with the Ukrainian Deminers’ Association.

Three UN Peacekeepers Killed in Mali Blast

Three UN peacekeepers were killed on Tuesday when their convoy struck a roadside bomb in jihadist-torn central Mali.

Il Resto è Storia!

EUPS student, Katherine Wallentine (‘23), shares what inspired her to pursue the EUPS program after five years working in US state and federal government.

Ukraine Faces Massive Explosive Contamination One Year Into Conflict

The conflict in Ukraine is affecting the lives of millions of people and continues to fuel a major humanitarian crisis. Since February 2022, the situation throughout the country deteriorated drastically.

Civilians Face Heightened Danger From Colombia’s Landmines

New violence in Colombia’s decades-long conflict has impeded demining efforts, putting rural populations at risk of improvised landmines.

JMU intelligence expert outlines implications of Russia withdrawal from New START

Russia’s withdrawal from the U.S.-Russia arms control treaty this week signals the end of the last remaining peace dividend of the Cold War.

Buckingham: WW2 Grenade Found in River Detonated in Controlled Explosion

A suspected World War Two device found in a river has been detonated by bomb disposal experts.

Government to Consider Expanded Role for Defence Forces in EU Ukraine Mission

Cabinet will examine proposal to approve deployment of up to 30 personnel to EU’s military assistance mission in support of Ukraine.

The unexpected rewards of traveling

Kiera ('24) participated in a study abroad program in Ireland that reunited her with her Irish family! Such are the unexpected rewards of traveling!

Russian Land Mines Disguised as Toys Target the Children of Ukraine

The calculated cruelty, part of a campaign to demoralize the Ukrainian population, must not stand.

JMU students lend a hand by providing respite care

Friday was National Caregiver day and students from JMU’s Caregivers Community Network were out lending a hand by providing respite care.

Nigerian Police Force Hands Over Various Arms, Ammunition to NCCSALW

The National Center for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons (NCCSALW) received 3,980 weapons of various calibres on Thursday under the supervision of the Nigeria Police Force

Computer science professor receives two NSF grants

“We want the students to be taught with effective methods, and we want the teachers to have a better experience, to be better prepared, and be more confident about their teaching.”

Landmine Charity Calls for a ‘Marshall Plan For Mines’ for Ukraine

Ukraine urgently needs a 'Marshall Plan for Mines' after 12 months of war and mine laying has left the country with the biggest explosives problem of the 21st century.

Linda Villarosa is the 2023 Viewpoints on Health Speaker

Viewpoints on Health will be presented on March 23, 2023 at 6:30pm.

'22 grad's film wins best short in Virginia film fest

“Home of the Brave,” written and directed by 2022 SMAD alumnus Ian Welfley, won Best Short Narrative Film at the Virginia Film Festival in November.

Reflecting on Black History Month

JMU celebrates Black History Month.

German President Observes Mine Clearance in Siem Reap

Germany president visits landmine-affected Siem Reap province, pledges German support to Cambodian clearance efforts and observes clearance operations by The HALO Trust.

Several Landmines Explode Amid Forest Fire Along Line of Contact in Poonch

A forest fire in India's Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch district causes multiple landmines to detonate and explode.

March Madness: Ranking the ranking methods

147,573,952,589,676,412,928 ways to fill out a tournament bracket.

Humanitarian Demining Center Provides Aid to Syrian Settlements Affected by Earthquake

A team of the Armenian Humanitarian Center for De-mining and Expertise is working together with Syrian engineer-seismologists in Aleppo for evaluating and documenting the state of damaged buildings.

MPs Back Plan to Clear Croatia of Landmines by 2026

Lawmakers in the Croatian parliament backed the proposed National Mine Action Programme, which is intended to see the country completely cleared of landmines from the 1990s war by March 2026.

Australian Navy Divers Called In to Remove Unexploded Ordnance

Navy divers called in to remove a Mark 82 general purpose bomb found in the Jervis Bay Marine Park (Australia) by a recreational diver. 

Madison Vision Series presents “Awadagin Pratt — Black in America”

Join us as the internationally renowned pianist chronicles his life, including graphic accounts of police stops for "Driving While Black."

Ukraine to Create Centralized Demining Hub

Serving as an analytical center, the "Ukrainian Center for Humanitarian Demining" will help improve coordination between all these actors and help to attract all possible resources for demining.

From the India Today Archives: Living Under the Shadow of Landmines

Landmines laid by the army have killed or injured hundreds of civilians in areas bordering Pakistan. Time for a cost-benefit analysis?

Ukraine War: Halo Trust Landmine Charity to Double Workforce

The world's largest land mine charity, the Halo Trust, is doubling its workforce in Ukraine this year to clear areas of explosives.

Despite Howard Buffett’s Help, Land Mines Litter Ukraine And Threaten Spring Planting

Tens of millions around the world rely on the country for grain and cooking oil, but clearing live explosives from Russia’s unprovoked invasion is expensive … it’s a process that can take months.

Unexploded Artillery Shell Unearthed at Gettysburg

Steven Brann was out Wednesday on the Gettysburg battlefield in Pennsylvania, sweeping the ground with a metal detector ahead of crews that are rehabilitating a famous part of the Civil War park.

Climate Change and Post-conflict Reconstruction in the Nineveh Plains of Iraq

A recent SIPRI report, informed by field research with communities in the Nineveh Plains region, emphasizes the importance of recognizing the linkages between climate change and post-conflict reconstruction.

Japan Contributes to United Nations (UN) Mine Action Service for Humanitarian Mine Action and Peace-building in Sudan

Contributing to humanitian mine action efforts in Sudan, Japan contributes $980K to UNMAS to clear 70,000 square meters and 30 kilometers of roads of mines and explosive remnants of war.

$700M Needed to Clear Border Areas of Cluster Bombs

Cambodian authorities need about $700 million to clear cluster bombs along the borders which still pose danger to people who go to collect forestry products for a living.

ISAT graduate program reopens and is accepting applications

Students will spend half of the program in each location, studying in Harrisonburg during the fall semester and in Malta during the spring.

JMU alumnus creates efficient cooking device in Madagascar

Wimpy created a device that saves time in the kitchen, reduces fuel usage, improves indoor air quality and is better for the environment.

Yemen: Frightening Uptick in Victims of Landmines and Explosive Remnants of War

Reports from international and local organizations indicate that Yemen witnessed the largest landmine laying operation since the end of World War II, resulting in a frightening uptick in landmine casualties.

Young Boy Injured in Poonch Landmine Explosion

A 14-year-old boy was injured in an accidental landmine blast in Poonch district of Jammu province on Monday.

Super amounts of data surround the Super Bowl, but unpredictability rules

As the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles prepare for Super Bowl LVII on Sunday, fans will have increasing access to a vast amount of data.

Over Six Hundred U.S.-Made Weapons Destroyed in Cambodia

Cambodia is making rapid progress on the demining front, with three more provinces to be declared mine-free in February and March. The new victory comes thanks to the efforts of de-mining technicians and authorities.

Four Killed, Two Seriously Injured After a Car Hitting Landmine in Loikaw

A white IPSUM car was hit by a landmine on the road passing Zayathpyu village. Four people in the car died on the spot, another two were seriously injured.

Plans Afoot to Demine Ukrainian Farms

U.N. Officials met with representatives of the Ukrainian Ministry for Agrarian Policy and Food to discuss demining Ukrainian farmland.

Three More Provinces Soon to Be Declared Mine-Free

Cambodia is making rapid progress on the demining front, with three more provinces to be declared mine-free in February and March. The new victory comes thanks to the efforts of de-mining technicians and authorities.

Dukes visit D.C.

Teaching Toolbox January 23, 2023

College of Business eNews: December 2022

Stay informed. Read the December issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

College of Business eNews: November 2022

Stay informed. Read the November issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

College of Business eNews: October 2022

Stay informed. Read the October issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

College of Business eNews: September 2022

Stay informed. Read the September issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

College of Business eNews: March 2022

Stay informed. Read the March issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

College of Business eNews: February 2022

Stay informed. Read the February issue of the College of Business E-Newsletter.

U.S. State Department releases Open Doors® Report

Funded by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Open Doors® annually presents a comprehensive report on the mobility of students in U.S. higher education, both inbound and outbound.

ISSS hosts international students for annual Thanksgiving meal

In a tradition dating back over 10 years, ISSS hosted international students for a Thanksgiving meal.