The Sentinel Research & Policy Institute (SRPI) develops creative, non-governmental solutions to complex counterintelligence challenges. This includes addressing malign influence operations, foreign information campaigns, and threats to academic and institutional integrity that do not have a clear government solution.

SRPI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that operates entirely outside of government — our independence is what makes our research credible and our analysis trustworthy to a broad range of stakeholders including academic institutions, private sector organizations, and the general public.

Several things set SRPI apart. First, we are entirely independent — we accept no government funding, no agency contracts, and no political funding of any kind. Second, our research relies exclusively on open-source, publicly available information, which means our findings are fully transparent and reproducible. Third, we integrate interdisciplinary perspectives from academia, technology, psychology, sociology, and strategic studies — not just from intelligence professionals.

This combination of independence, open-source discipline, and interdisciplinary depth allows SRPI to reach audiences and produce insights that government-affiliated organizations cannot.

SRPI is incorporated in Delaware as a 501(c)(3) public charity (EIN: 41-2853508). It originated as the Sentinel Research Society at the Institute of World Politics (IWP) in Washington, D.C., and its leadership and contributors are distributed nationally.

SRPI is governed by a Board of Directors that oversees research, publications, academic programs, communications, and fundraising. The organization is led by President and Chairman Shane McNeil, DSS.

SRPI’s current areas of focus include:

• Malign influence and foreign information operations
• Counterintelligence theory, strategy, and reform
• Threats to academic institutions and intellectual property
• Cybersecurity and information defense
• Strategic competition and great power rivalry
• Irregular warfare and maritime security
• Public-private collaboration on national security challenges

We are particularly focused on engaging private sector organizations that may not be inclined to work directly with government — and on producing solutions that operate in the space between academic research and operational reality.

SRPI maintains three publication platforms:

Sentinel Journal — SRPI’s peer-reviewed academic journal, published biannually. Articles are double-blind reviewed, assigned DOIs, and archived as open-access publications. Covers original scholarship on counterintelligence, national security, and strategic statecraft.

Sentinel Review — SRPI’s policy-oriented publication on Substack, featuring analysis, commentary, and research briefs with rolling publication. More accessible in format than the Journal but equally rigorous in its standards.

Common Ground Podcast — conversations with experts, practitioners, scholars, and policymakers on national security topics, available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

SRPI researchers also contribute externally to publications including USNI Proceedings, Small Wars Journal, The Strategist (ASPI), Modern War Institute at West Point, War Room (Army War College), and academic journals through Springer and other publishers.

SRPI welcomes submissions from researchers, practitioners, and graduate students. The Article Submission page at sentinelresearch.org/article-submission has full guidelines, word counts, citation standards, and the submission form for both the Sentinel Journal and Sentinel Review.

All submissions must use open-source information only and include SRPI’s standard conflict-of-interest disclosure. Editorial questions can be directed to publishing@sentinelresearch.org.

SRPI organizes a range of educational and research events including speaker series, discussion seminars, analytical exercises, and working groups. We are also developing symposium programs — including The New Front Lines, America’s Open Society Conundrum, and Who Defends the Idea of America — focused on national security topics of current policy relevance.

Events are open to SRPI members, chapter participants, and invited guests. Follow SRPI on LinkedIn and Bluesky for event announcements, or subscribe to the Sentinel Review on Substack.

The best starting points depend on who you are:

Students — If you’re a graduate or doctoral student, the Volunteers page covers how to contribute as a researcher, writer, or event supporter. If you’re an undergraduate, the Chapter Program is the primary pathway — either join an existing chapter at your university or apply to start one.

Researchers and practitioners — Consider submitting to the Sentinel Journal or Sentinel Review. External contributions are welcomed and we’re always looking for rigorous, open-source scholarship on national security topics.

Supporters — You can support SRPI’s mission through a tax-deductible donation that directly funds research and education.

When in doubt, reach out directly at directors@sentinelresearch.org — SRPI leadership is always willing to guide you through the options.

SRPI has two primary volunteer tracks:

Doctoral Volunteers lead working groups and research projects, host and contribute to the Common Ground podcast, peer review submissions to the Sentinel Journal and Sentinel Review, and mentor graduate contributors across SRPI programs.

Graduate Student Volunteers participate in working groups and events, write articles for SRPI publications, coordinate and support events, assist in research projects, and contribute to social media and communications campaigns.

Visit the Volunteers page to learn more and express your interest.

SRPI offers several professional development pathways:

• Publication — peer-reviewed and policy-level publication in the Sentinel Journal and Sentinel Review, with DOIs and open-access distribution

• Research collaboration — participation in SRPI’s active research projects alongside experienced scholars and practitioners

• Mentorship — guidance from SRPI leadership and doctoral contributors who work across the national security and intelligence fields

• Network access — invitations to SRPI events, symposia, and professional engagements

• Ambassador Program — for strong chapter contributors, the Ambassador Program provides a formal designation as an SRPI campus representative with additional professional development resources

SRPI’s leadership is dedicated to providing comprehensive support to contributors. This includes access to SRPI’s research network and publication platforms, mentorship from experienced professionals, opportunities for collaboration with other contributors, and guidance in developing ideas into impactful research.

For contributors working on research projects, SRPI also provides the conflict-of-interest disclosure framework, open-source research standards, and editorial support for publication submissions.

No prior knowledge of counterintelligence is required. In fact, a lack of preconceived CI knowledge can be a genuine advantage — it brings a fresh perspective to problems that experienced CI professionals may approach with embedded assumptions. Academic rigor, intellectual curiosity, and a commitment to open-source research discipline are more important than a CI background.

SRPI’s leadership and doctoral contributors are always willing to provide orientation and guidance for those new to the field.

Citizenship requirements are handled on a case-by-case basis. SRPI recognizes that national origin can be a relevant factor in the context of national security research — some countries present more significant threat considerations than others, while others are close U.S. partners.

SRPI leadership evaluates each prospective contributor as a whole person and makes an individualized assessment of how non-citizens can best participate. If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in SRPI, reach out at directors@sentinelresearch.org to discuss your situation.

No. SRPI does not require any security clearance, and in fact the absence of clearance is the norm for SRPI contributors. All SRPI research is conducted using publicly available, open-source information only — no classified material is used in any SRPI project, publication, or event.

If you hold a clearance in your professional capacity, you are welcome to contribute to SRPI as a researcher — but you must not use, reference, or draw on any classified information or classified knowledge in your SRPI work. See the Standards & Integrity section below for more detail.

Absolutely not. SRPI is categorically committed to using exclusively publicly available, open-source information in all its research, publications, and events. No classified, restricted, or sensitive government information is used in the development of any SRPI product — without exception.

Participants whose professional background provides access to classified information should not include that information or knowledge — even implicitly — in any SRPI work. If you are uncertain whether something qualifies as open-source, do not use it.

Several SRPI researchers and Board members are federal employees, including individuals serving in agencies within the Department of Defense and the U.S. intelligence community. SRPI takes this seriously and requires all contributors to include a standard conflict-of-interest disclosure in published work.

The standard disclosure makes clear that all SRPI research, publications, and products represent the personal academic opinions of the contributing researchers and are not intended to reflect the views, policies, or positions of any government agency or employer.

No. SRPI is an independent nonprofit and is not affiliated with, funded by, or directed by any government agency, political party, or commercial interest. SRPI does not engage in lobbying, advocacy, or partisan activities of any kind.

SRPI’s independence from government is a foundational design principle — it is what allows the organization to produce credible, nonpartisan research that can be trusted by a wide range of stakeholders, including those who might be skeptical of government-affiliated analysis.

SRPI collects only the information necessary to manage volunteer and contributor relationships, process applications, and communicate about programs and publications. We do not sell, share, or distribute personal information to third parties. For specific privacy questions, contact directors@sentinelresearch.org.