Researcher at Lender Center Investigates Veterans' Post-Military Existence, Worldwide Battle Patterns
In a groundbreaking study, Corri Zoli, a research associate at Syracuse University's Lender Center for Social Justice, is shedding new light on the intersection between military veterans, the racial wealth gap, and national security. Zoli's research, which humanizes national security through the lens of veteran experiences, challenges the traditional view of national security as solely a matter of geopolitical or military strategy.
Zoli's work underscores the importance of understanding veterans' experiences and stories, beyond superficial appreciation for their service. By doing so, she exposes the socioeconomic challenges that veterans face once they return to civilian life, including disparities tied to race and economic status that contribute to the racial wealth gap.
Through an interdisciplinary approach involving social science, law, and public policy, Zoli's research highlights the value of veterans' insights as critical to shaping informed policies addressing social justice and security. She emphasizes that supporting veterans equitably helps build a stronger, more inclusive society and improves national security from a human-centered perspective.
Syracuse University's commitments to public affairs, community engagement, and military veterans have been instrumental in supporting Zoli's work. The university's unique history of welcoming veterans, starting with Chancellor Tolley opening the doors to returning GIs following World War II, continues to this day through initiatives like the National Veterans Resource Center and D'Aniello Institute for Veterans and Military Families.
Zoli's research also suggests a need for increased community involvement in domestic safety, including infrastructure improvement, education about public service and safety careers, and civic engagement and understanding. Thirty years of economic data on veterans and service members show that, other things being equal, veterans have a wage premium, making military service a potential way to increase socioeconomic advantage in the U.S.
Conflicts today are more complex than in the past, involving unconventional warfare such as new cyber weapons, drones, violent or political extremism, and the creation and support of terrorist organizations below the state level. In this complex landscape, veterans, with their on-the-ground knowledge, can provide valuable strategic advice and practical expertise in addressing conflicts, security, and safety issues. However, they are underutilized as resources.
Zoli's research is a significant step towards bridging this gap and ensuring that the voices and experiences of veterans are heard in discussions about national security. By focusing on the human aspects of conflict and security, Zoli's work offers a fresh perspective that prioritizes people, their lives, voices, and rights. This approach not only enhances national security but also promotes policies that value veterans' contributions and address systemic inequities, thereby improving societal stability and security.
[1] Zoli, C. (2021). Humanizing National Security Through the Lens of Veteran Experiences. Lender Center for Social Justice, Syracuse University. [2] Zoli, C. (2019). Seminars in the Warrior Scholars Veterans Project, Syracuse University. [3] Lender Center for Social Justice. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://lendersocialjustice.syr.edu/about-us/
- Zoli's research in the Lender Center for Social Justice at Syracuse University extends beyond military strategy, delving into health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and science, pointing out the essential role of veterans' physical and mental health in national security.
- In her seminars for the Warrior Scholars Veterans Project and her Humanizing National Security study, Corri Zoli highlights the need for policies addressing the socioeconomic challenges veterans face in health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and scientific research, contributing to a stronger, healthier, and more inclusive society.
