Todd C. Helmus

@Helmus on Twitter

Senior Behavioral Scientist; Affiliate Faculty, Pardee RAND Graduate School

Washington Office

Education

Ph.D. in clinical psychology, Wayne State University

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact the RAND Office of Media Relations at (310) 451-6913, or email media@rand.org.

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Overview

Todd Helmus is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation and a nationally recognized expert on disinformation and violent extremism. He specializes in the use of data and evidence-based strategies to understand and counter disinformation and extremism. He has studied the disinformation threat posed by deepfakes, Russian-led propaganda campaigns targeting the United States and Europe, and the use of social media by violent extremist groups. He has also led research on the effectiveness of online interventions to prevent radicalization.

In addition to his research, Helmus is a frequent speaker at security conferences. He has served as a consultant to the U.S. Departments of Defense, State, and Homeland Security and has served as a deployed analyst to U.S. military commands in Iraq and Afghanistan. His work has been featured in various media outlets including the New York Times, the Financial Times, The Atlantic, Harpers Magazine, Forbes and MSNBC.

Helmus holds a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from Wayne State University, Detroit, MI.

Research Focus

Selected Publications

Helmus, Todd C., James V. Marrone, Marek N. Posard, and Danielle Schlang, Russian Propaganda Hits Its Mark: Experimentally Testing the Impact of Russian Propaganda and Counter-Interventions, RAND Corporation (RR-A704-3), 2020

Helmus, Todd C., Artificial Intelligence, Deepfakes, and Disinformation: A Primer, RAND Corporation (PE-A1043-1), 2022

Helmus, Todd C., Marta Kepe, A Compendium of Recommendations for Countering Russian and Other State-Sponsored Propaganda, RAND Corporation (RR-A894-1), 2021

Helmus, Todd C., Hannah Jane Byrne, and King Mallory, Countering Violent Extremism in the U.S. Military, RAND Corporation (RR-A1226-1), 2021

Helmus, Todd C., Elizabeth Bodine-Baron, Andrew Radin, Madeline Magnuson, Joshua Mendelsohn, William Marcellino, Andriy Bega, and Zev Winkelman, Russian Social Media Influence: Understanding Russian Propaganda in Eastern Europe, RAND Corporation (RR-2237), 2018

Helmus, Todd C., S. Rebecca Zimmerman, Marek N. Posard, Jasmine L. Wheeler, Cordaye Ogletree, Quinton Stroud, and Margaret C. Harrell, Life as a Private: A Study of the Motivations and Experiences of Junior Enlisted Personnel in the U.S. Army, RAND Corporation (RR-2252-A), 2018

Helmus, Todd C., Elizabeth Bodine-Baron, Empowering ISIS Opponents on Twitter, RAND Corporation (PE-227-RC), 2017

Helmus, Todd C., Christopher Paul, and Russell W. Glenn, Enlisting Madison Avenue: The Marketing Approach to Earning Popular Support in Theaters of Operation, RAND Corporation (MG-607), 2007

Honors & Awards

Gold Merit Award (2010), RAND
Bronze Merit Award (2021), RAND
Silver Merit Award (2022), RAND

Recent Media Appearances

Interviews: Bloomberg TV; Gray DC; Here and There, Santa Fe Public Radio; MSNBC; NPR, Morning Edition; Voice of America; WUSA-DC

Commentary

Social Media Analysis

The Ukrainian Army Is Leveraging Online Influencers. Can the U.S. Military?
Much has been said about Ukraine's astounding success in the information battlefield. How might the U.S. military emulate Ukraine's success to not only help win wars, but also to address its flagging campaign to recruit new members?
Mar 1, 2023
War on the Rocks
Ukraine

One Year After Russia's Invasion of Ukraine: Experts React
We asked nearly 30 RAND experts to highlight takeaways from the first year of Russia's all-out war—and share what they're watching as the conflict in Ukraine grinds on. Here's what they said.
Feb 20, 2023
Information Operations

Keeping Russians Informed About Ukraine Could Help End This War
Russia has taken increasingly aggressive actions to restrict access of information about the war in Ukraine. Ensuring that the Russian people know the truth about what their government is doing in Ukraine could bring this war to an end soon rather than later.
Mar 14, 2022
United Press International
Violent Extremism

Help, Not Just Hunt, Violent Extremists in the Military
The Pentagon is working to rid itself of violent extremist members. In addition to strengthening the chain of command to detect and remove extremist members from its ranks, the military could also empower military family members to intervene.
Aug 5, 2021
RealClearDefense
Russia

Summit a Chance to Clarify U.S.-Russia Relations: RAND Call With Experts
RAND experts discuss possible topics of conversation and potential takeaways from the upcoming summit between the United States and Russia. The summit will be a chance to rebuild and review the countries' fraught relationship.
Jun 10, 2021
Military Doctrine

The Link Between Extremism and Military Functioning
U.S. Department of Defense policy prohibits service members from actively participating in extremist activities. Broadening the policy to include passive forms of participation could introduce two challenges.
May 20, 2021
Military Times
Violent Extremism

Human Intelligence: The Key to Ferreting Out Extremism in the Ranks
The U.S. military is fighting extremism—including white supremacists and violent anti-government radicals—in its own ranks. De-radicalized former extremists can provide crucial first-hand intelligence on extremist groups' recruiting tactics.
Mar 18, 2021
Defense One
Counterterrorism

Are Counter Violent Extremism Interventions Effective?
Government efforts to counter the propaganda and radicalization that lead to violent extremism are becoming more common around the world, but there's little research on whether such programs work. It is critical to conduct more research to tease out which programs are most effective.
Sep 11, 2020
The RAND Blog
Information Operations

How You Can Fight Russia's Plans to Troll Americans During Campaign 2020
The goal of Russian interference is to trigger emotional reactions and drive people to ideological extremes, making it nearly impossible to build a consensus. But Americans are less likely to have their emotions manipulated if they are aware that manipulation is the goal.
Jul 14, 2020
Los Angeles Times
Counterterrorism

Fighting Terror the Cold War Way
With much talk about how to “win hearts and minds” in the Muslim world, it's surprising that few are looking back to a global contest of ideas that the U.S. and its allies categorically won: the Cold War, write Todd C. Helmus and Dalia Dassa Kaye.
Oct 14, 2009
ForeignPolicy.com
Ad Men for U.S. Defense
Improving the U.S. military's brand identity demands more than just a catchy new slogan. While communications can help explain U.S. policies, the behavior of every soldier, sailor, airman and marine is what ultimately determines how civilians view U.S. forces, write Todd Helmus, Russell Glenn and Christopher Paul in a commentary appearing in United Press International.
Aug 20, 2007
United Press International

Publications

Report
Prevalence of Veteran Support for Extremist Groups and Extremist Beliefs: Results from a Nationally Representative Survey of the U.S. Veteran Community
The authors conducted a nationally representative survey of the U.S. veteran community to examine the prevalence of support for specific extremist groups and ideologies, including support for political violence.
May 23, 2023
Report
In the Wreckage of ISIS: An Examination of Challenges Confronting Detained and Displaced Populations in Northeastern Syria
The authors examine the humanitarian and security conditions in two Syrian camps for internally displaced persons: al-Hol and Roj. They address concerns about radicalization and highlight challenges in returning displaced residents to their homes.
Mar 9, 2023
Report
A House Reunited: Prospects for Bipartisanship in a Divided Country
Based on workshop discussions, this Perspective presents some proposed solutions, and potential data sources to evaluate these solutions, to problems related to mis- and disinformation, election security, extremism, and immigration reform.
Jan 19, 2023
Report
China's Role in the Global Development of Critical Resources: Case Studies in Coal Power, Electricity Transmission, and Seabed Mining
China's foreign investment and financing activities over the past two decades have garnered substantial attention and raised concerns. This report explores Chinese investment and financing activities in energy infrastructure and critical minerals.
Nov 7, 2022
Research Brief
A Dangerous Web: Mapping Racially and Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism
The authors reviewed literature on racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), analyzed social media data from six platforms, and created a global network map to better understand how to inform counter-REMVE strategies online.
Aug 22, 2022
Report
An Exploratory Examination of Agent-Based Modeling for the Study of Social Movements
The authors of this report explore the use of agent-based modeling as a method for studying the effects of information and communications technologies on the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of social movements over time.
Aug 16, 2022
Report
Artificial Intelligence, Deepfakes, and Disinformation: A Primer
This Perspective provides an overview of the threat of deepfakes and reviews the fundamental artificial intelligence-driven technologies that make them possible. It highlights deepfakes' threats, as well as factors that could mitigate them.
Jul 6, 2022
Draft
The Role of Communication and Network Technologies in the Dynamics of Social Movements
Investigates the multi-faceted role of information technologies in the spread and dynamics of social movements.
Jun 10, 2022
Report
Mapping White Identity Terrorism and Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism: A Social Network Analysis of Online Activity
The authors reviewed literature on racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism (REMVE), analyzed social media data from six platforms, and created a global network map to better understand how to inform counter-REMVE strategies online.
Jun 7, 2022
Report
Do National Security Communication Campaigns Work? Taking a Lesson from the Public Health Sector
Through a systematic review of research on public health communication campaigns, the authors identified insights relevant to national security communication campaigns, such as those conducted by the U.S. Army's psychological operations forces.
May 10, 2022
Report
What Prevention and Treatment of Substance Use Disorder Can Tell Us About Addressing Violent Extremism
In this Perspective, the authors examine similarities between violent extremism and substance dependence in terms of social and psychological causes, behaviors, and opportunities for prevention and intervention.
Jan 5, 2022
Report
Countering Violent Extremism in the U.S. Military
To support the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD)'s efforts to counter extremism in its ranks, the authors considered how a terrorism prevention framework might address the issue. They offer intervention initiatives that DoD might consider adopting.
Oct 25, 2021
Research Brief
What Do Former Extremists and Their Families Say About Radicalization and Deradicalization in America?
Violent extremism is an evolving, ongoing threat in the United States. This project describes personal accounts of white supremacists, Islamic extremists, and their family members about joining extremist groups and, in some cases, deradicalizing.
Jun 25, 2021
Report
A Compendium of Recommendations for Countering Russian and Other State-Sponsored Propaganda
To help audiences make sense of the large array of counterdisinformation recommendations, the authors of this report coded recommendations in 64 other policy reports and assessed which recommendations benefit from researcher consensus.
Jun 1, 2021
Report
Detecting Conspiracy Theories on Social Media: Improving Machine Learning to Detect and Understand Online Conspiracy Theories
Using linguistic and rhetorical theory, researchers developed an improved model of machine-learning technology to detect conspiracy theory language. This report describes the results and suggests ways to counter effects of online conspiracy theories.
Apr 29, 2021
Report
Violent Extremism in America: Interviews with Former Extremists and Their Families on Radicalization and Deradicalization
Terrorism and ideologically inspired violence are persistent and serious threats to U.S. national security. This report uses interviews to explore why and how 32 individuals joined extremist organizations and how some of them exited these groups.
Apr 1, 2021
Report
Countering Foreign Interference in U.S. Elections
This report describes responses to both Russian memes designed to breed dissension and a public service announcement warning about threats from foreign interference in U.S. elections. This is the fourth report in a series on election security.
Mar 29, 2021
Report
Tweeting Out Surveys to Pro-Ukraine Influencers: Exploring the Potential for Enlisting Support in the Information Fight Against Russia
RAND researchers used Twitter advertisements to solicit survey participation from the most-influential members of the pro-Ukraine activist community, drawing on key influencers to help counter Russian propaganda in the region.
Mar 24, 2021
Journal Article
Social Media and Influence Operations Technologies: Implications for Great Power Competition
Russia, China, and the so-called Islamic State are three key U.S. adversaries that have exploited online technologies for propaganda. This chapter reviews the aims, capabilities, and limitations of online propaganda for each of these entities.
Oct 23, 2020
Report
Russian Propaganda Hits Its Mark: Experimentally Testing the Impact of Russian Propaganda and Counter-Interventions
This report, the third in a series, describes a study designed to assess how people react to and engage with Russia's online propaganda. Media literacy advisories and labeling the source of the propaganda were found to have a counter effect.
Oct 15, 2020
Report
Counter-Radicalization Bot Research: Using Social Bots to Fight Violent Extremism
As the online recruitment of violent extremist organizations grows, the U.S. government may benefit from promising emerging technology tools to rapidly detect targets of such recruitment efforts and deliver counter-radicalization content to them.
Oct 8, 2020
Report
Foreign Interference in the 2020 Election: Tools for Detecting Online Election Interference
This report, the second in a series on information efforts by foreign actors, describes what appears to be an instance of election interference on Twitter and offers recommendations for response.
Oct 8, 2020
Report
From Consensus to Conflict: Understanding Foreign Measures Targeting U.S. Elections
Russia might try to manipulate and divide U.S. voters via social media during the U.S. political campaign season of 2020. This first report in a series of four reviews research on foreign actors targeting local, state, and national elections.
Oct 1, 2020
Report
Countering Violent Extremism in Indonesia: Using an Online Panel Survey to Assess a Social Media Counter-Messaging Campaign
This report presents the results of an evaluation designed to assess the effects of countering violent extremism–themed social media content used in a campaign to promote tolerance, freedom of speech, and rejection of violence in Indonesia.
Sep 9, 2020
Report
Countering Violent Extremism in the Philippines: A Snapshot of Current Challenges and Responses
In this report, RAND researchers provide a snapshot of the terrorist and extremist threats facing the Philippines and the countering violent extremism efforts that the Philippine government and nongovernmental agencies have undertaken in response.
Sep 9, 2020
Report
Promoting Peace as the Antidote to Violent Extremism: Evaluation of a Philippines-Based Tech Camp and Peace Promotion Fellowship
This report contains an evaluation of and recommendations from a countering violent extremism (CVE)–themed set of tech camps and fellowships in the Philippines. This report also contains research from a study of CVE radio programming on Mindanao.
Sep 9, 2020
Report
Countering Violent Extremism in Nigeria: Using a Text-Message Survey to Assess Radio Programs
The authors present the results of a text message–based randomized controlled trial designed to assess the impact of a countering violent extremism (CVE)–themed radio program broadcast in northern Nigeria in 2018–2019.
Mar 12, 2020
Research Brief
The Growing Need to Focus on Modern Political Warfare
RAND researchers analyzed how political warfare is practiced today and identified ways that the U.S. government, its allies, and its partners can respond to or engage in this type of conflict to achieve U.S. ends and protect U.S. interests.
May 31, 2019
Report
Life as a Private: Stories of Service from the Junior Ranks of Today's Army
This volume tells the stories of six soldiers in their own words. While a separate RAND Arroyo Center report details the service experiences of 81 junior enlisted soldiers, this report provides deeper insight into the junior enlisted experience.
Mar 6, 2019
Report
Assessing Outcomes of Online Campaigns Countering Violent Extremism: A Case Study of the Redirect Method
This report reviews prior assessments of online programs dedicated to countering violent extremism (CVE), offers recommendations for future assessments, and provides a case study of one particular CVE campaign.
Dec 10, 2018
Report
Countering Russian Social Media Influence
The Russian government's campaigns of disinformation -- political, social, religious, or otherwise -- have found a comfortable home on social media. This report presents strategies to counter Russian social media influence.
Nov 1, 2018
Testimony
Russian Social Media Influence: Understanding Russian Propaganda in Eastern Europe: Addendum
Document submitted August 30, 2018, as an addendum to testimony before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on August 1, 2018.
Aug 31, 2018
Testimony
Russian Social Media Influence: Understanding Russian Propaganda in Eastern Europe
Testimony presented before the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence on August 1, 2018.
Aug 1, 2018
Report
Life as a Private: A Study of the Motivations and Experiences of Junior Enlisted Personnel in the U.S. Army
Who joins the Army, why, and how satisfied are they with their decisions? This study's portrayal of U.S. Army privates could serve as an educational tool for Army senior leadership, junior officers, noncommissioned officers, and prospective recruits.
May 14, 2018
Report
Russian Social Media Influence: Understanding Russian Propaganda in Eastern Europe
Researchers analyzed Russian social media data and conducted interviews with regional and security experts to understand the critical ingredients to countering Russia's propaganda campaign against former Soviet states.
Apr 12, 2018
Report
Modern Political Warfare: Current Practices and Possible Responses
Analyzes how political warfare is practiced today and identifies the most effective ways that the U.S. government, along with its allies and partners, can respond to or engage in this type of conflict to achieve U.S. ends and protect U.S. interests.
Apr 5, 2018
Report
Empowering ISIS Opponents on Twitter
This Perspective presents options for operationalizing recent RAND Corporation findings about ISIS opponents and supporters on Twitter. It formulates a countermessaging approach for two main communication pathways.
Apr 21, 2017
Report
Development and Pilot Test of the RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism
The RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism helps programs assess their activities and identify needed improvements. This report is a companion to the toolkit and provides background on its development and testing.
Mar 13, 2017
Tool
RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism
The RAND Program Evaluation Toolkit for Countering Violent Extremism uses checklists, worksheets, and templates to help programs assess whether their activities have met their goals and identify needed improvements.
Mar 13, 2017
Report
Assessment of the State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training (SLATT) Program
Assesses the Bureau of Justice Assistance's State and Local Anti-Terrorism Training Program, which provides various forms counterterrorism training to state, local, and tribal law enforcement personnel.
Oct 28, 2016
Report
Investing in the Fight: Assessing the Use of the Commander's Emergency Response Program in Afghanistan
This report examines the use of the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) in Afghanistan. It explores the effectiveness of CERP in supporting tactical operations in Afghanistan during the counterinsurgency-focused 2010--2013 time frame.
Oct 13, 2016
Report
Examining ISIS Support and Opposition Networks on Twitter
This report examines the debate about the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) on Arabic Twitter and uses a mixed-methods analytic approach to identify and characterize in detail the Twitter networks of ISIS supporters and opponents.
Aug 16, 2016
Report
Evaluating the Impact of Whole-Body Vibration (WBV) on Fatigue and the Implications for Driver Safety
Summarizes findings from a review of the literature on whole-body vibration (WBV) and fatigue, in addition to looking at study designs and methodology for providing more rigorous investigations of the impact of WBV on fatigue and driver safety.
Oct 22, 2015
Report
Advising the Command: Best Practices from the Special Operations Advisory Experience in Afghanistan
Identifies best practices for Special Operations Advisory Groups, which are tasked with advising headquarter elements of the Afghan Special Security Forces.
Aug 10, 2015
Report
Building Special Operations Partnerships in Afghanistan and Beyond: Challenges and Best Practices from Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia
This report summarizes key special operations forces (SOF) partnering practices and presents findings from case studies in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Colombia. It also identifies best practices to benefit development of SOF in Afghanistan and elsewhere.
Jul 31, 2015
Report
Promoting Online Voices for Countering Violent Extremism
American Muslims play an important role in helping counter extremism, and are increasingly using social media to this end. RAND researchers identified challenges facing these Muslim activists, and identified ways to help empower these voices online.
Feb 4, 2013
Report
Locals Rule: Historical Lessons for Creating Local Defense Forces for Afghanistan and Beyond
Analyzes the use and management of local defense forces in eight major counterinsurgencies, from Indochina to Operation Iraqi Freedom, in order to inform U.S. and allied operations in Afghanistan as well as other current or future conflicts.
Sep 18, 2012
Research Brief
Addressing Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Among Servicemembers and Their Families: Existing Department of Defense Programs and Options for Improvement
Provides overviews and detailed descriptions of 211 programs currently sponsored or funded by the Department of Defense to address psychological health and traumatic brain injury, along with recommendations to maximize program effectiveness.
Nov 9, 2011
Report
Programs Addressing Psychological Health and Traumatic Brain Injury Among U.S. Military Servicemembers and Their Families
Provides overviews and detailed descriptions of 211 programs currently sponsored or funded by the Department of Defense to address psychological health and traumatic brain injury, along with recommendations to maximize program effectiveness.
Nov 9, 2011
Report
The Long Shadow of 9/11: America's Response to Terrorism
In a series of essays, this book addresses the question of how America has responded in the ten years since the 9/11 terrorist attacks and suggests options for more effectively dealing with the terrorist threat in the future.
Jul 26, 2011
Report
Barriers to the Broad Dissemination of Creative Works in the Arab World
Within the Arab world, many creative works are being produced that could play a role in countering violent extremism. This book examines the substantial barriers to the broad dissemination of these creative works and suggests ways to overcome them.
Sep 4, 2009
Report
Social Science for Counterterrorism: Putting the Pieces Together
Why does terrorism arise and decline? Why do people become terrorists or disengage? How do terrorists generate, maintain, or lose public support? How do terrorists make decisions? These are the questions that the authors address.
May 13, 2009
Report
Invisible Wounds of War: Psychological and Cognitive Injuries, Their Consequences, and Services to Assist Recovery
A comprehensive study of the post-deployment health-related needs associated with post-traumatic stress disorder, major depression, and traumatic brain injury among servicemembers returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.
Mar 26, 2008
Research Brief
Applying Madison Avenue Principles and Recent Operational Experience to Counterinsurgency and Stability Operations
This research brief summarizes a study that examined successes from the commercial marketing industry and how those lessons might assist U.S. and coalition forces to improve shaping campaigns during stability operations.
Jul 11, 2007
Report
Enlisting Madison Avenue: The Marketing Approach to Earning Popular Support in Theaters of Operation
Enlisting Madison Avenue extracts lessons from business marketing practices and adapts them to U.S. military operations in a unique approach that will potentially maximize the impact and improve the outcome of civilian-focused influence efforts.
Jun 30, 2007
Report
''People Make the City,'' Executive Summary: Joint Urban Operations Observations and Insights from Afghanistan and Iraq
Reveals lessons that will better enable military and civilian alike to meet national policy objectives by more effectively conducting urban combat and restoration.
May 14, 2007
Report
Steeling the Mind: Combat Stress Reactions and Their Implications for Urban Warfare
Describes the known precipitants of combat stress reaction, its battlefield treatment, and the preventive steps commanders can take to limit its extent and severity.
May 11, 2005
Journal Article
Reinforcing Effects of Diazepam Under Anxiogenic Conditions in Individuals with Social Anxiety
Diazepam (DZ) reinforcement was tested under anxiogenic (public speaking) and neutral (computer task) conditions.
2005