In his doctoral research, Long explores the relationship between surveillance and those surveilled, and how citizens become acclimated to mass surveillance within their societies. He also conducts the impact of surveillance programs on national security.

The SNSP fellowship is a year-long intensive and interdisciplinary program that prepares engineers, scientists, and other technically-educated individuals to develop and implement policy options to help solve problems of national and international importance. It seeks to advance the role of scientific and technical advice on issues of international security through education, research, outreach activities, and participation in the policy advisement process.