Drones and Terrorism: Graduating Senior Bahceci Shines at Criminology Conference

Presenting a research poster at a major conference is a big deal for a student, particularly for an undergraduate.

Poster presentations create networking opportunities with experts and peers who often provide constructive feedback; summarizing complex ideas and data enhances communications skills; and, in addition to building confidence, it makes a significant addition to resumés and CVs.

A young woman in a green jacket and a head scarf stands in front of a poster with graphs. — Ayse Selma Bahceci with her poster: ‘Presenting at this level gave me firsthand insight into the many opportunities to further enhance our research.’ Photos provided.

For Ayse Selma Bahceci, presenting her poster in mid-November at the American Society of Criminology’s 79th annual meeting in San Francisco, a conference that draws more than 4,000 attendees from more than 40 countries, was not only thrilling, but also nostalgic.

“I was incredibly excited, as this was my very first conference,” the graduating senior said. “It was also a nostalgic experience because I was born and raised in San Francisco.”

A woman in a green jacket and head scarf talks with a woman in a red outfit. — Bahceci presents her poster to a conference attendee.

The government and international politics major in the Schar School of Policy and Government at George Mason University had her dream fulfilled just in time: She graduates in December. It’s an opportunity she was happy to have experienced.

“I had the chance to network with a diverse group of talented individuals in their respective fields, which was truly inspiring,” she said. “Presenting at this level gave me firsthand insight into the many opportunities to further enhance our research.”

The poster was titled “Changing Weapon Types in Terrorist Organizations: Which Groups Have Used Drones?” and reflected the work accomplished at George Mason’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC) and its affiliated organizations and tools.

“In this presentation, I analyzed drone use within terrorist organizations using data from the Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center [GTTAC] and the Incidents Database [GRID], shedding light on how drones are shifting weapon and logistic strategies among these groups,” she said.

A woman in a green jacket and head scarf stands next to a bald man in a blue shirt in front of a sign for a conference. — Bahceci, left, with Mahmut Cengiz at the conference: ‘I’m excited to see how the Schar School is preparing young experts to fight terrorism around the world,’ he said.

“Many attendees were intrigued by our Global Terrorism Trends and Analysis Center data collected at the Schar School, and my presentation on drones received excellent feedback,” she said, adding that the data is open for all to use.

“This was Ayse Selma’s first conference, and she gave an exceptional poster presentation on drones, a timely and important topic,” said Associate Professor Mahmut Cengiz, director of the GTTAC. Cengiz accompanied Bahceci to California.

“Her presentation was excellent and she was very well received,” he said. “I’m excited to see how the Schar School is preparing young experts to fight terrorism around the world.”

Presenting at a conference, Bahceci said, “has always been a goal of mine, and I am especially grateful to my mentor and advisor, Professor Cengiz, who supported me every step of the way in reaching this milestone in my career.

“I made many connections during my time at the conference, both from the United States and abroad,” she said. “I believe these networks are valuable moving forward in my career after I graduate.”