For today’s feature interview, Anessa Interviews 4 Student Delegates about their Model NATO experience, Emma Breton-Chénier, Xavier Antonuk, Adrien Risch and Amal Belhaj share the highlights and opportunities of participating in this international learning experience.

The Laval University Delegation for NATO Simulation, founded in 2007, is mandated to represent Laval University at the International Model NATO, which takes place annually in Washington DC. These events bring together around a hundred students from various universities, mainly North American, who represent the different member countries of the organization. The delegates embody the diplomats of the Member State they represent through various committees and address various topics submitted to the agenda by the organizers.

This simulation presents an incredible opportunity to study the structure and functioning of NATO, as well as to better understand the various challenges and problems the organization faces. It also allows us to learn more about the states they represent.

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Beginning with the Fall 2026 competition, the maximum funding available through Targeted Engagement Grants will increase to $100,000 per project.

Eligibility

Project requirements

Your project must:

• demonstrate how it will achieve the MINDS Program objectives

• align with one or more MINDS Defence Policy Challenges

• support defence and security policy dialogue, research, or decision-making

Who can apply

You can apply if you:

• are an individual or are applying on behalf of an organization such as a university, think tank, non-governmental organization, corporation, or industry

• are based in Canada or internationally

Employees of federal, provincial/territorial, municipal or Indigenous government departments and agencies are not eligible to apply. This includes employees of Canadian Defence Academy institutions. Members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are also not eligible, except for Class A Reservists.

Applicants at the undergraduate or master’s level of study are only eligible to apply for funding through the Young MINDS Initiative.

Young MINDS Initiative: additional requirements

You must be:

• enrolled in an undergraduate or master’s program at an accredited university

• studying political science, history, international relations, public policy, or economics

  • other fields of study may be considered if you can demonstrate how they relate to defence and security

• sponsored by a professional academic or recognized expert in the field at your institution of study

Research approval

You must get approval from the Social Science Research Review Board (SSRRB) if you are conducting social science research with:

• Department of National Defence civilian employees

• CAF members or their families

• applicants to the CAF

• members of Canadian Cadet organizations

To learn more about the review process or request the SSRRB submission form, contact SSRRB-CERSS@forces.gc.ca.

Detailed eligibility requirements can be found in the application guide.

How to apply

Step 1: Review the application guide

Application requirements may change between funding competitions. Review the application guide carefully each time you apply.

Step 2: Complete the application form

Select the form that applies to your project:

• Targeted Engagement Grant application form

• Young MINDS Initiative application form

Note: Undergraduate and master’s students are only eligible to apply to the Young MINDS Initiative.

Step 3: Submit your application

Email your completed application to MINDS@forces.gc.ca

How we review your application

Applications are assessed and scored based on:

• how the project aligns with the MINDS Program objectives

• relevance to the MINDS Defence Policy Challenges

• use of Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+)

• how the project shows creativity or innovation

• how the project uses technology to achieve results and/or share findings

Funding is awarded to applicants with the highest evaluation scores.

Contact us

For questions, email minds@forces.gc.ca

Welcome to the first episode of “Unequal Dialogues,” a podcast on civil-military relations by the Civil-Military Relations Network. Hosted by Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar, this episode features Dr. Stephen Saideman discussing the evolution from the Canadian Defence and Security Network to the Civil-Military Relations Network. We explore the complexities of civil-military relations, the importance of maintaining democratic norms, and the challenges posed by political and military dynamics worldwide. This engaging dialogue aims to inform and spark conversation on the vital role of civil oversight in military affairs. Join us in understanding the intricate relationship between civil authorities and military forces.

This episode is brought to you by the 9 of Spades, to view all the cards and learn more, visit our partner’s website: the Centre for Military Ethics at Kings College London.

For further reading into this topic, we recommend the book: Supreme Command: Soldiers, Statesmen, and Leadership in Wartime by Eliot A. Cohen

Visit our website at www.civmil.org for more information and updates on the Civil Military Relations Network.

Subscribe now

The Canadian Defence and Security Network is an independent, non-partisan research group of partners from government, academia and civil society. The network is funded by a SSHRC Partnership Grant and a MINDS Collaborative Network Grant.

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Opportunities & Events:

1. Annual CIMIC Foresight Conference (September 14-17, The Hague, The Netherlands). The conference brings together experts from the military, academia, government, and civil society to challenge narratives, test assumptions, and examine the role of Civil-Military Cooperation in an increasingly contested environment. Registration is open until August 28^th. More information can be found at https://www.cimic-coe.org/events/annual-cimic-foresight-conference-2026/.

3. The fourth annual Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force Academic Symposium (October 16-17, Virtual via MS Teams; or in-person at the Canadian Forces College, North York, ON). The symposium seeks to highlight, share, and unify research related to developing, employing, and supporting Canada’s reserve forces and their capabilities. It emphasizes the unique skills and experiences reservists offer due to their dual employment roles. Please note this event is in English & French. More information can be found here

4. Defence & Security Economics Workshop (October 29-30, Carleton University, Ottawa). More information can be found here.

5. CDSN Annual Networking Night happens on Wednesday, 19 August at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Ottawa. CDSN members are invited to join the cohort and speakers from the Summer Institute for an informal gathering. RSVPs are required: cdsn@cdsn-rcds.com, hors d’oeuvres will be served.

Latest Podcasts:

All our podcasts can be found on Spotify, iTunes and Substack, and Soundcloud.

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.20: The Politics of Defence and Security

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.19: Unequal Dialogues with Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.18: Pragmatic Flexibility in the Indo Pacific with Dr. Kai Ostwald

Stay in Touch!

• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and via our website.

• Join our Listserv: cdsncommunity@cdsn-rcds.com, a place to share news
  and opportunities within the Canadian defence and security community

• Follow us on LinkedIn and via our website. 

• Join our Listserv: cdsncommunity@cdsn-rcds.com, a place to share news and opportunities within the Canadian defence and security community

  

Caseway was founded by Alistair Vigier, a former Canadian Army soldier turned legal-tech entrepreneur. Raised in a military family, Alistair spent seven years in the Canadian Armed Forces, including passing pre-selection for JTF2. That experience instilled a discipline-first mindset and a bias toward action—qualities that continue to define Caseway’s culture. After an injury ended his military career, Alistair transitioned into the legal world, working as a law firm business development manager. There, he helped grow a firm’s revenue to over $3.5M and earned BC Business 30 Under 30 recognition. But he also saw how resistant the legal industry was to change. That frustration led him to entrepreneurship.

In 2021, Alistair founded Clearway, which became the largest lawyer-review platform in Canada and the UK, serving hundreds of thousands of users per month. That experience revealed an even bigger opportunity: legal research itself was the bottleneck. In September 2024, he founded Caseway with a clear vision—to use technology to make legal information radically more accessible.

Fellowship Description

The Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Ottawa, via the Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians (IPSFC) Government of Canada program is happy to announce a postdoctoral fellowship for the year 2026-2027.

The Indo-Pacific Postdoctoral Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for an early-career scholar to advance their research and collaborate with the University of Ottawa’s collaborative research network on “Resource Governance in the Indo-Pacific”. The postdoctoral fellow’s area of focus will overlap with one or (ideally) more than one of the research program’s 4 streams: Climate and environmental change; Economic security and critical minerals; Work and migration and Indigenous rights.

The successful candidate will be an engaged researcher with interests overlapping with one or more research streams and who will split their time between conducting independent and collaborative research (50%) and project support (admin, knowledge mobilisation, network building, etc.) (50%). The postdoctoral researcher will work to deepen and strengthen linkages between Canadian and Indo-Pacific scholars, students and stakeholders on the topic of natural resource governance.

The postdoctoral fellowship is tenable in-person at the University of Ottawa, for one year with the possibility of an extension for another half a year. The University of Ottawa provides a supportive environment for professional development, interdisciplinary collaboration, and international research exchange.

Objective(s)

The fellowship aims to:

• Advance rigorous and regionally connected academic research on natural resource governance in the Indo-Pacific with a focus on climate, environmental change and livelihood adaptation; economic security and critical minerals; work and migration and/or indigenous rights.

• Provide logistical, planning and organizational support to the uOttawa collaborative research network on “Resource Governance in the Indo-Pacific”, including by planning and organizing knowledge mobilisation activities (podcasts, workshops, policy events).

• Collaborate with faculty members of the research network, including, if relevant, by co-authoring papers.

• Deepen and strengthen linkages between Canadian and Indo-Pacific scholars, students and stakeholders.

• Contribute to Asia competence and evidence-based policymaking in the context of natural resources governance and Canada’s Indo-Pacific engagement.

• Support a growing team of graduate students working on the project.

Areas of focus

The research program is entitled “Resource Governance in the Indo-Pacific: Navigating Livelihoods, Ecologies, Rights and Economic Security.” Natural resource governance is a strategic issue at the heart of Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.

The region is a global biodiversity hotspot where rapid growth, urbanization and infrastructure development have relied on intensive marine and terrestrial resource extraction. Climate change and environmental degradation are driving migration, while rising geopolitical tensions are elevating national security stakes, including regarding China’s rise and its impact over critical minerals supply chain resilience. Resource governance thus sits at the intersection of environmental, economic security, labour, and human rights concerns in an increasingly contested region.

This project intersects with Canada’s priorities in the Indo-Pacific—from diplomacy to economic security and resilience, innovation, sustainable development, and labour rights—offering an integrated, responsive framework for academic engagement. Applicants should demonstrate expertise and interest in one or (ideally) more of the program’s 4 research streams:

● Climate change, environmental governance, and livelihood adaptation (led by Jean-François Rousseau);

● Critical minerals, supply chains, and economic security (led by Pascale Massot in collaboration with Patrick Leblond and Wolfgang Alschner);

● Labour migration, labour rights and forced labour (led by Melissa Marschke in collaboration with André Laliberté);

● Indigenous rights (led by Scott Simon).

Value and duration

The fellowship will provide a salary of $55,000 CAD per year, and up to $10,000 CAD for fieldwork in the region, plus available benefits in accordance with University of Ottawa policies.

The fellowship will be held for one year with the possibility of extension for another half a year, depending on project needs, funding availability, and mutual agreement.

The fellowship will start in the fall of 2026, as early as October 2026.

Deadline

Applications are due by August 25^th, 2026, and will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

Eligibility Criteria

● Completed a PhD within five years in a relevant discipline (for further details see here: https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/leadership-governance/policies-regulations/policy-123-postdoctoral-fellows)

● Must be a Canadian citizen or hold Permanent Residency

● Applicants may not simultaneously hold another postdoctoral fellowship or any other full-time position.

Applicants must submit:

● Letter of intent (max. 1 page)

● Research project proposal (max. 2 pages, plus bibliography), including your potential faculty mentor/s

● Writing sample (publication preferred)

● CV

● Names and contact information for 3 potential referees. Letters of reference will only be requested from short-listed applicants.

● Optional document: max. 1 page (Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility statement).

● Short-listed applicants will be required to submit a proof of PhD completion. For applicants without a PhD in hand, proof of completion is required by the applicant’s chosen start date.

Review Process

Applications will be reviewed by the Indo-Pacific Scholarships and Fellowships for Canadians Steering Committee starting on August 25^th, 2026, on a rolling basis until the position has been filled.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Relevance to Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific region, including alignment with priorities such as climate adaptation, resilient critical mineral procurement, decent labour regimes, Indigenous rights, and regional governance

• Academic and methodological quality, including clarity, rigor, appropriate methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed), and expected outputs

• Feasibility and host institution fit, including alignment with existing or emerging regional partnerships (see the program webpage for details of eligible host countries)

• Willingness and demonstrated capacity to support the project’s logistics and knowledge mobilisation activities

• Potential for impact, particularly regarding policy relevance, mentorship, and capacity-building

• GBA+ integration, including attention to gendered, racialized, and intersectional dimensions of the research topic and methods

• English-French bilingualism is an asset.

About the University of Ottawa

The University of Ottawa is among the top five Canadian universities for research intensity and the largest English-French bilingual university in the world. Rooted in our community, we’re in the heart of a G7 capital — a city of power, leadership and transformation — a choice location from which to shed light on the future as we face the challenges of our times. The University welcomes 49,000 students annually and employs over 6,200 faculty. We benefit from our strategic location, on the unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinàbeg, in a city known for the interaction among research, the economy and policy.

https://www.uottawa.ca/about-us/

Equity / Inclusion Statement

This project is committed to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion in both design and delivery, guided by Gender-Based Analysis Plus (GBA+) principles.

Contact Information

For additional information and to submit your application:

Camille Thom, IPSFC Research Assistant, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

Cthom170@uottawa.ca

and

Pascale Massot, IPSFC Principal Investigator, School of Political Studies, University of Ottawa

pmassot@uottawa.ca

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Bourses d’études et de recherche indo-pacifiques pour les Canadiens (BERIPC)

Description de la bourse

La Faculté des sciences sociales de l’Université d’Ottawa, dans le cadre du programme du gouvernement canadien « Bourses d’études et de recherche indo-pacifiques pour les Canadiens » (BERIPC), a le plaisir d’annoncer la création d’une bourse postdoctorale pour l’année 2026-2027.

La bourse postdoctorale offre une opportunité unique à un·e chercheur·euse en début de carrière de faire avancer ses recherches et s’inscrit dans le cadre d’un programme de recherche collaboratif et interdisciplinaire de l’Université d’Ottawa sur le thème de la “gouvernance des ressources dans la région indo-pacifique”. Le domaine de recherche de la personne retenue sera articulé autour d’un ou plusieurs des quatre axes thématiques : changements climatiques et environnementaux ; sécurité économique et minéraux critiques ; travail et migrations ; et droits des peuples autochtones.

La personne retenue sera un·e chercheur·euse engagé·e dont les centres d’intérêt recoupent un ou plusieurs axes de recherche et qui répartira son temps entre la conduite de recherches indépendantes et collaboratives (50%) et le soutien au projet (administration, mobilisation des connaissances, création de réseaux, etc.) (50%). Le ou la chercheur·euse postdoctoral·e aura pour priorité d’approfondir et de renforcer les liens entre les universitaires, les étudiants et divers partenaires au Canada et dans la région indo-pacifique sur le thème de la gouvernance des ressources naturelles.

La bourse postdoctorale est à pourvoir en présentiel à l’Université d’Ottawa, pour une durée d’un an avec possibilité de prolongation d’une demi-année. L’Université d’Ottawa offre un environnement propice au développement professionnel, à la collaboration interdisciplinaire et aux échanges internationaux en matière de recherche.

Objectif(s)

La bourse vise à :

• Faire progresser une recherche universitaire rigoureuse et ancrée dans le contexte régional sur la gouvernance des ressources naturelles dans la région indo-pacifique, en mettant l’accent sur le climat, les changements environnementaux et l’adaptation des moyens de subsistance ; la sécurité économique et les minéraux critiques ; le travail et les migrations et/ou les droits des peuples autochtones.

• Fournir un soutien logistique, de planification et d’organisation au réseau de recherche collaboratif de l’Université d’Ottawa sur la « gouvernance des ressources dans la région indo-pacifique », notamment en planifiant et en organisant des activités de mobilisation des connaissances (balados, ateliers, événements consacrés aux politiques).

• Collaborer avec les membres du corps professoral du réseau de recherche, notamment, le cas échéant, en co-rédigeant des articles.

• Approfondir et renforcer les liens entre les chercheurs, les étudiants et les parties prenantes canadiens et de la région indo-pacifique.

• Contribuer au renforcement de l’expertise sur l’Asie et à l’élaboration de politiques fondées sur des données probantes dans le contexte de la gouvernance des ressources naturelles et de l’engagement du Canada dans la région indo-pacifique.

• Soutenir une équipe grandissante d’étudiant·es de troisième cycle travaillant sur le projet.

Domaines d’intérêt

Ce programme de recherche s’intitule « La gouvernance des ressources dans la région indo-pacifique : concilier moyens de subsistance, écologies, droits et sécurité économique ». La gouvernance des ressources naturelles est un enjeu stratégique au cœur de l’engagement du Canada dans la région indo-pacifique.

Cette région est un important centre de biodiversité mondial où la croissance rapide, l’urbanisation et le développement des infrastructures ont reposé sur une exploitation intensive des ressources marines et terrestres. Le changement climatique et la dégradation de l’environnement sont à l’origine de mouvement migratoires, tandis que les tensions géopolitiques croissantes accentuent les enjeux en matière de sécurité nationale, notamment en ce qui concerne l’essor de la Chine et son impact sur la résilience de la chaîne d’approvisionnement en minéraux critiques. La gouvernance des ressources se situe donc à la croisée des préoccupations environnementales, de sécurité économique, du travail et des droits de l’homme dans une région de plus en plus contestée.

Ce projet s’inscrit dans les priorités du Canada dans la région indo-pacifique, allant de la diplomatie à la sécurité économique et à la résilience, en passant par l’innovation, le développement durable et les droits du travail, offrant ainsi un cadre intégré et adapté à l’engagement universitaire. Les candidat·es doivent démontrer une expertise et un intérêt pour un ou (idéalement) plusieurs des quatre axes de recherche du programme :

• Changement climatique, gouvernance environnementale et adaptation des moyens de subsistance (dirigé par Jean-François Rousseau) ;

• Minéraux critiques, chaînes d’approvisionnement et sécurité économique (dirigé par Pascale Massot) ;

• Migration de main-d’œuvre, droits du travail et travail forcé (dirigé par Melissa Marschke) ;

• Droits des peuples autochtones (dirigé par Scott Simon)

Valeur et durée

La bourse est d’une valeur annuelle d’environ 55,000$ CAD ainsi qu’une allocation pouvant aller jusqu’à 10,000$ CAD destinée à la recherche sur le terrain dans la région indo-pacifique, sans compter les avantages sociaux applicables conformément aux politiques de l’Université d’Ottawa.

La bourse sera d’une durée minimale de 12 mois, et pourrait être prolongée de 6 mois selon les besoins du projet, de la disponibilité des fonds et d’un accord mutuel.

La bourse débutera à l’automne 2026, potentiellement dès le mois d’octobre 2026.

Date limite

Les candidatures doivent être déposées avant le 25 août 2026, et seront examinées au fur et à mesure jusqu’à temps que le poste soit pourvu.

Critères d’éligibilité

• Avoir obtenu un doctorat au cours des 5 dernières années dans une discipline pertinente (pour plus de détails, consultez : https://www.uottawa.ca/notre-universite/leadership-gouvernance/politiques-reglements/reglement-123-stagiaires-postdoctoraux

• Être citoyen·ne canadien·ne ou résident·e permanent·e

• Les personnes qui postulent ne peuvent pas occuper simultanément une autre bourse postdoctorale ni aucun autre poste à temps plein.

Les candidat·es doivent soumettre :

• Lettre d’intention (maximum 1 page)

• Proposition de projet (maximum 2 pages, excluant la bibliographie), incluant le nom de votre ou de vos mentors potentiels au sein du corps professoral.

• CV

• Un texte dont la personne candidate est auteur·rice principal·e

• Les noms et coordonnées de trois personnes référence. Des lettres de recommandation seront uniquement demandées pour les personnes retenues sur la liste courte.

• Document facultatif : 1 page maximum (déclaration relative à l’équité, à la diversité, à l’inclusion et à l’accessibilité)

• Les personnes présélectionnées devront fournir un justificatif attestant l’obtention de leur doctorat. Pour les personnes n’ayant pas encore obtenu leur doctorat, ce justificatif devra être fourni avant la date de prise de fonction choisie par le·la candidat·e.

Processus d’évaluation

Les candidatures seront évaluées par le comité directeur du projet à partir du 25 août 2026, et jusqu’à temps que le poste soit pourvu.

Critères d’évaluation

Les propositions seront évaluées sur la base des critères suivants :

• Pertinence par rapport à l’engagement du Canada dans la région indo-pacifique, y compris l’alignement sur des priorités telles que l’adaptation au changement climatique, l’approvisionnement résilient en minéraux critiques, des conditions de travail décentes, les droits des peuples autochtones et la gouvernance régionale.

• Qualité académique et méthodologique, y compris la clarté, la rigueur, l’utilisation de méthodes appropriées (qualitatives, quantitatives ou mixtes) et les résultats attendus.

• La faisabilité et l’adéquation avec l’établissement d’accueil, y compris l’alignement avec les partenariats régionaux existants ou émergents (voir la page web du programme pour plus de détails sur les pays d’accueil éligibles).

• La volonté et la capacité avérée à soutenir la logistique du projet et les activités de mobilisation des connaissances.

• Le potentiel d’impact, notamment en ce qui concerne la pertinence politique, le mentorat et le renforcement des capacités.

• L’intégration de l’approche ACS+, y compris l’attention portée aux dimensions de genre, de race et d’intersectionnalité du sujet de recherche et des méthodes.

• Le bilinguisme (français-anglais) est considéré comme un atout.

À propos de l’Université d’Ottawa

L’Université d’Ottawa figure parmi les cinq premières universités canadiennes en termes d’intensité de recherche et est la plus grande université bilingue anglais-français au monde. Ancrée dans notre communauté, elle se trouve au cœur d’une capitale du G7 — une ville de pouvoir, de leadership et de transformation — un emplacement idéal pour éclairer l’avenir alors que nous faisons face aux défis de notre époque. L’Université accueille 49 000 étudiants chaque année et emploie plus de 6 200 enseignants-chercheurs. Nous tirons parti de notre emplacement stratégique, sur le territoire non cédé des Algonquins Anishinabeg, dans une ville réputée pour l’interaction entre la recherche, l’économie et la politique.

https://www.uottawa.ca/notre-universite/

Déclaration sur l’équité et l’inclusion

Ce projet s’engage à promouvoir l’équité, la diversité et l’inclusion tant dans sa conception que dans sa mise en œuvre, en s’inspirant des principes de l’analyse comparative entre les sexes (ACS).

Coordonnées

Pour plus d’informations et pour soumettre votre application :

Camille Thom, assistante de recherche à la BERIPC, École des sciences politiques, Université d’Ottawa

Cthom170@uottawa.ca

et

Pascale Massot, chercheuse principale à la BERIPC, École des sciences politiques, Université d’Ottawa

pmassot@uottawa.ca

To gauge just how much information manipulation is happening online, Dr. Jean-Christophe Boucher, PhD, and a transdisciplinary research group are scraping social media and using AI and machine-learning tools to classify it.

Boucher is an associate professor of political science and fellow in the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studiesin the Faculty of Arts. In 2025, he served as special advisor and deputy director of data science with Global Affairs Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism, where he helped build and lead a data-science team focused on identifying and analyzing foreign information manipulation and interference.

Boucher recently sat down with UToday to discuss information manipulation in the digital space.

How would you define information manipulation in the digital space?

Information manipulation is not simply a technological problem. It is increasingly a challenge for democratic governance and national security. Foreign states, political movements and commercial actors all seek to shape how citizens understand political issues, elections, public-health measures and international crises.

There are two ways actors manipulate the information space. On the one hand, there’s content manipulation, which is the creation and spread of false or misleading information on any issue. There are all sorts of ways to create false or misleading information, including through AI-generated content and deepfakes. Secondly, there is the manipulation of the spread and the amplification of information. This is where you may be using genuine content, but you are inauthentically inflating its spread by using bot networks. Actors usually do both at the same time, or either one.

What are some of the markers you look for when trying to identify information that has been manipulated?

There are many ways to identify it, and we’ve built a suite of techniques and tools to analyze it. When you’re dealing with large-scale information manipulation, data analytics must play a role. The team I work with is dedicated to building transdisciplinary projects and now includes software engineers, computer scientists, data scientists, political scientists, sociologists, veterinarians and public-health professionals. My experience leading the data-science team at Canada’s Rapid Response Mechanism reinforced the importance of combining technical expertise with subject-matter knowledge when identifying information-manipulation campaigns. We create AI classification models that analyze claims and classify them based on their truthfulness.

One challenge is that information manipulation increasingly targets scientific and technical issues that affect everyday life. Whether the issue is vaccine safety, animal health, foreign interference or emerging technologies, addressing manipulation requires both advanced data analytics and the scientific expertise needed to evaluate complex claims. A computer scientist can help build a detection model, but understanding whether a claim is misleading often requires experts in public health, veterinary medicine, security studies or other specialized fields.

When it comes to fake amplification, actors use different methods, and we’ve measured them. We can see actors create fake accounts to share, reply to, or otherwise engage with content to game the algorithm. We see various actors use these techniques, so it’s very difficult for untrained eyes to get a sense of whether this is something people really want to see or if it’s someone putting their thumb on the scale.

Are there moments in time when you’d expect to see more information manipulation spread?

The expectation now is that information-manipulation strategies will be deployed at highly politically charged events. In democracies, there’s a focus on events related to democratic processes, such as elections, referendums and discussions on specific issues. For example, we are currently looking into the ostrich culling that occurred in British Columbia, and we’ve scraped social media to measure how this event coalesced around specific issues in animal health, as well as around political systems and anti-government narratives. We also see people manipulate the information space to make money. People can profit from monetization on social media platforms, so we see people flood social networks with false or misleading content that is shared and engaged with online solely for the purpose of making money.

How can people be aware of this information manipulation as they scroll?

I think people would be very surprised by how much inauthentic content there is on social media. A significant share of the content and engagement people encounter online is either automated, co-ordinated or otherwise inauthentic. Now that AI systems have been democratized, even more people can create this fake content or amplification. We’re at a point where it’s difficult to tell the differences, and surveys show most Canadians have a hard time discerning AI-generated content from authentic content. The most important thing people can do is approach online content with healthy skepticism. The challenge today isn’t just figuring out whether something is true or false. It’s understanding why you’re seeing it in the first place and how algorithms, co-ordinated networks and AI systems influence what appears in your feed.

The funding marks a record year for Carleton, with the university leading three of the 17 SSHRC Partnership Grants awarded nationally in 2026 — the highest number of grants it has ever received in a single competition.

Together, the projects will connect researchers, policymakers, industry leaders and community organizations across Canada and around the world to address complex societal challenges. The projects will also create new opportunities for student training, knowledge mobilization and public engagement.

SSHRC Partnership Grants support large-scale collaborations between post-secondary institutions and partner organizations to advance research, research training and knowledge mobilization in the social sciences and humanities.

Building Canada’s Cybersecurity Workforce

Carleton researchers Alex Wilner and Leah West will lead the Canadian Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence (3CE), a national network designed to strengthen Canada’s cybersecurity capacity through interdisciplinary education, research and training.

Based at Carleton’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), 3CE brings together researchers from four Canadian universities and partners from government, industry and the non-profit sector. The initiative will help train more than 160 graduate students and postdoctoral researchers while providing professional development and experiential learning opportunities across the cybersecurity ecosystem.

The network will focus on six key areas including emerging technologies, critical infrastructure protection, national security, foreign interference, research security, democracy, privacy and human rights. Through applied research projects, cybersecurity exercises, training institutes and knowledge-sharing initiatives, 3CE aims to prepare the next generation of cybersecurity professionals to respond to increasingly complex digital threats.

A key objective of the initiative is to broaden participation in cybersecurity and strengthen communication and collaboration across disciplines, sectors and communities.

Advancing Research on Civil-Military Relations and Democracy

NPSIA researcher Stephen Saideman will lead the Civil-Military Relations Network (CMRN), an international partnership focused on advancing understanding of the relationship between democratic governments and their armed forces.

As democracies around the world face growing political polarization, security challenges and concerns about democratic resilience, the network will bring together scholars, policymakers, military institutions, think tanks and civil society organizations to examine how civilian oversight and military institutions can effectively support democratic governance.

The partnership will explore topics such as institutional and legal frameworks, military personnel, public trust, politicization and democratic erosion. Through collaborative research, professional development programs, internships, exchanges and public engagement initiatives, CMRN will help train a new generation of civil-military experts while deepening public awareness of this vital relationship.

The network also places a strong emphasis on equity, diversity and inclusion, while fostering international collaboration aimed at strengthening democratic institutions in Canada and abroad.

Examining the Future of Trade Governance

Achim Hurrelmann, a researcher in the Department of Political Science and the Institute of European, Russian and Eurasian Studies will lead the Research Network on Trade Politics in North America and Europe (TRADEPOL), an international partnership examining how growing political debates around trade are reshaping governance and decision-making.

As governments increasingly use trade policy to address issues ranging from economic security to sustainability and geopolitical competition, TRADEPOL will examine how businesses, labour organizations, governments and civil society actors navigate a rapidly changing trade environment.

The network will study evolving trade politics across North America and Europe, focusing on changing policy actors, emerging trade agendas and shifting patterns of international cooperation and conflict. A key outcome of the project will be the creation of a new open-access Trade Politics Database, providing researchers and policymakers with a unique resource to analyze trade-related discourse and governance trends over the past two decades.

By connecting universities, government institutions, business associations, trade unions and think tanks, TRADEPOL will generate research and policy insights that support more equitable, inclusive and accountable approaches to trade governance.

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Join us for this timely, 2-day program where we provide an overview of Canadian Defence procurement from the perspective of government and industry. It will provide participants with an in-depth understanding of the Defence procurement process, how government officials approach Defence procurement and the challenges involved, how industry views military acquisitions and the hurdles involved with winning and negotiating contracts, and how government and industry can strengthen their relationships and mutual understanding as Canada increases Defence spending and investment in the Defence industrial base.

Dates:

• Fall 2026: Thursday, December 10 and Friday, December 11, 2026

Registration: registration is now open. Before proceeding please review our cancellation and withdrawal policies here.

To pay by Credit Card (VISA or Master Card) or Debit, please register here.

To register and have an invoice issued for payment by cheque, Electronic / International Funds Transfer, cash or through an approved institutional arrangement please click “request an invoice” at the bottom of the online registration form here.

Training Location: HYBRID, online and in-person 5th Floor Richcraft Hall
Times: 9 AM to 4 PM ET daily
Fee: $ 800.00 + HST.

What you will Learn:

This workshop brings together a mix of former government procurement executives and industry leaders who offer a unique insight into the Canada Defence procurement process. In this program we will examine the structural components of the Defence procurement environment and explain how government works with the private sector through the bidding and contract award pathways to acquire the materials and services necessary for Canada’s Defence commitments.

Learning Objectives:

Participants will develop an in-depth understanding of:

• Canada’s Defence procurement processes and structures from project identification to close out.

• How government views Defence procurement, including how officials assess risk, what considerations inform bid evaluations and contracts, and how relations with contractors are managed.

• How industry views and approaches military acquisitions, investment decisions, bidding, and capability delivery and sustainment.

• How the new Defence Investment Agency is changing how government procures and how the Defence Industrial Strategy is reshaping the Defence sector.

• Common sources of tension or misalignment between government and industry, what how they can be overcome.

• What opportunities exist for stronger partnerships between government and Defence industry today.

Who should attend:

This workshop is ideally suited to participants from both government and industry who wish to better understand Canada’s military acquisition system. The workshop will compare and contrast how procurement is seen from a public and private sector perspective and explore ways to bridge the gap between the two.

Featured Instructors and guests:

Dr. , Associate Professor, NPSIA, Carleton University.

with

Troy Crosby, former Assistant Deputy Minister for Materiel, DND.

André Fillion, former Assistant Deputy Minister for Defence & Marine, PSPC.

Alex McPail, President & CEO EXA Consulting Group.

Samuel Witherspoon, CEO ANVIL Intelligence Inc.

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Sanjida Amin is the CDSN Postdoctoral Fellow (2025–2026) at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP) at Queen’s University. She is currently completing her PhD in Political Science at the University of Toronto, where her research focuses on foreign sponsorship of insurgent groups, insurgent-state relations, and the international dimensions of civil war.

Her book project examines how external support from foreign states shapes internal conflict dynamics, particularly by driving insurgent fragmentation during peace negotiations. Her broader research interests include international peacebuilding, alliance politics, and Canadian foreign and defense policy. Her current postdoctoral project investigates how U.S.-Canada security relations influence Canada’s evolving engagement with UN peacekeeping, situating this within the broader context of multilateralism and shifting global security priorities.

Sanjida’s research has been supported by Fulbright Canada, the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarship (SSHRC), and the Ontario Graduate Scholarship. She aims to contribute to more effective peacebuilding and mediation strategies in protracted conflicts, as well as to informed debates on Canadian international security policy.

For today’s feature interview, we preview our new Civil Military Relations podcast “Unequal Dialogues” with host Dr. Manaswini Ramkumar, starting this summer.

Learn more about the new Civil Relations Network here: www.civmil.org

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This is the Call for Sessions for the XXI ISA World Congress of Sociology , which will close on 25 June 2026 at 23:59 UTC/GMT. No extensions are possible. The Call for Sessions is available here: https://isaconf.confex.com/isaconf/wc2027/cfs.cgi

This is the moment to build a strong and diverse program that reflects the interests and priorities of our research community. The quality and diversity of the Congress program begin with the sessions created during this phase. The more proposals received, the greater the opportunity to build a scientifically strong, diverse, and resilient program.

Finally, we would like to remind you that the Call for Integrative Sessions remains open until 28 September 2026. This is an excellent opportunity to collaborate across RCs/WGs/TGs and National Associations and sister organizationsaround the Congress theme, “Global Sociology in Turbulent Times”.

You do not need to be a member of ISA to propose a session at this time. However, once your session is accepted, at least one Session Organizer must be an ISA member and a member of the relevant Research Committee (RC), Working Group (WG), or Thematic Group (TG) by July 29, 2026. Therefore, collaborating with current members is a beneficial way to move forward.

For further questions, please contact barisates@gmail.com or isa-rc01@isa-sociology.org.

Kai Ostwald is the HSBC Chair in Asian Research and an Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia, jointly appointed in the School of Public Policy and Global Affairs and the Department of Political Science. He also serves as Director of UBC’s Institute of Asian Research and Associate Editor for Pacific Affairs. His work focuses on political economy, governance, and development in Southeast Asia, with a particular emphasis on democratization, geopolitics, and Canada’s engagement with the Indo-Pacific. Kai connects academic research with real-world policy challenges, working closely with practitioners across governments, international organizations, and think tanks. He regularly participates in Track 1.5 and Track 2 diplomatic dialogues, contributing to discussions on geopolitics and regional cooperation. He has testified before Canadian parliamentary special committees and has delivered training sessions and briefings to Global Affairs Canada, the US State Department, and the Canadian Forces College on regional geopolitics and governance.

Kai is a Senior Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, an Associate Senior Fellow at Singapore’s ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, and a Distinguished Fellow at the Penang Institute in Malaysia. He has also conducted consulting work with organizations including the International Development Research Centre, the World Bank, and the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, among others. His research and policy commentary have been featured in leading academic journals such as the American Political Science Review, Democratization, Canadian Foreign Policy Journal, Political Science Research and Methods, Journal of East Asian Studies, and Asian Survey. His insights have also appeared in major media outlets, including The Atlantic, Bloomberg, CBC, Nikkei Asian Review, Globe and Mail, The Guardian, and the South China Morning Post.

Kai Ostwald: Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy requires rethinking ‘like-mindedness’: https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/03/29/canadas-indo-pacific-strategy-requires-rethinking-like-mindedness/

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Edna Mohamed -Al Jazeera: US-Iran war pushing millions into food crisis, warns UN

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In this special Bylines & Frontlines episode, hosts Brook Morrison and Isabela Rittinger sit down with WIIS-Canada award recipients Dr. Lynne Gouliquer and Nicole Wei-Tung Ling for an intergenerational conversation on leadership, mentorship, identity, and navigating institutions not built with everyone in mind.

Drawing from experiences spanning the military, academia, international governance, and youth advocacy, the conversation explores what leadership means beyond titles and hierarchy. Dr. Gouliquer reflects on leadership as the courage to challenge institutions and create space for change, while Nicole Ling discusses the realities young women face navigating security and international policy spaces often marked by tokenism and rigid power structures.

Together, they unpack:

● how identity shapes leadership and belonging

● the tensions and opportunities between generations

● the difference between mentorship, sponsorship, and meaningful guidance

● and why future leadership must prioritize adaptability, inclusion, and dialogue over hierarchy and gatekeeping.

This episode is a candid and deeply human conversation about resilience, institutional change, and the responsibility leaders have not only to lead—but to make space for others to lead too.

Please note the opportunity is available for researchers with a doctoral degree and with expertise on defense and security issues (preferably associated to Canada and/or NTATO).

Application rules and instructions can be found here: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/programs/minds/scholarships/nato-defense-college-ndc-fellowship.html

Should you have any questions, you can reach out to alexandre.courtemanche@forces.gc.ca.

Opportunities:

1. The last day to apply for this year’s CDSN Summer Institute at Carleton University is May 30th, apply now to secure your spot in this year’s cohort: https://www.cdsn-cds.com/summerinstitute

2. WIIS Annual Blog Competition in collaboration with Population and Security: This year’s theme is “When Security Loses its Human Face”. We welcome submissions in English or French (max. 1000 words), using hyperlinks where relevant. Submission deadline is June 1^st, send your blog post by email to popandsec@gmail.com.

2. PhD Fellowship in Societal Security and Preparedness at the Royal Danish Defence College. Deadline to apply is June 1^st, more information can be found here.

3. Canada-Iceland Conference on Resilience (Oct 15-17, Winnipeg, Manitoba): The conference will be held in a hybrid format, papers are being accepted until June 1^st.

4. The fourth annual Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force Academic Symposium (October 16-17, Virtual via MS Teams; or in-person at the Canadian Forces College, North York, ON). The symposium seeks to highlight, share, and unify research related to developing, employing, and supporting Canada’s reserve forces and their capabilities. It emphasizes the unique skills and experiences reservists offer due to their dual employment roles. Please note this event is in English & French.

• Call for Research Proposals – A Call to Action: Reserve Force Renewal. Deadline to apply is June 12^th. This Call for Proposals invites researchers on the topic of Reserve Force Renewal. While the focus is on the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves, including the Primary Reserve, Canadian Rangers, Cadet Organizations, and Supplementary Reserve, perspectives from Allied nations are welcome. We invite academia, government researchers, military professionals, and experts to submit proposals for our upcoming academic symposium, “A Call to Action: Reserve Force Renewal.” This symposium aims to consolidate research on the development, employment, sustainment, and unique capabilities of Canada’s Reserve Forces.

  • Presentation Topics: We welcome proposals on various topics related to reserve forces, with a particular focus on 1. Talent Management and Professional Development, 2. Recruiting and Retention, 3. Training, 4. Other (select presentations outside of the first three themes).

  • Send proposals to both of the following: Lieutenant-Colonel Dave Sweeney at david.sweeney@forces.gc.ca, Lieutenant-Commander Jenn Martin at jennifer.martin@forces.gc.ca.

  • Subject Line: A Call to Action: Reserve Force Renewal

  • Abstract Submission Instructions: include author(s) and affiliations, point of contact, complete title, and a maximum of 400 words without images or acronyms. All accepted abstract proposals will be reviewed and published online with the final agenda.

5. Defence & Security Economics Workshop (Oct 29-30, Carleton University, Ottawa) If you are interested in presenting a paper, please submit an abstract to DefenceEconomicsCanada@gmail.com, the deadline for submission is June 30^th. More information can be found here.

6. Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS) Conference: The 2026 IUS Canada Conference will be held at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario from October 23-25. We welcome papers or organized panels that address the key themes of interest to the IUS Fellows in support of emerging scholarly research dealing with the military establishment and civil-military relations. More information can be found here.

Latest Podcasts:
All our podcasts can be found on Spotify, iTunes and Substack, and Soundcloud.

Battle Rhythm

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.17: Risks, Resiliency and Defence Tradeoffs

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.16: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network (LERRN) with Dr. James Milner

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.15: Mistrusted to Serve? With Dr. Jean-Christophe Boucher

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.14: People Centered Security and Defence

Resilience Plus

Resilience Plus Season 5, Episode 5: Chief Petty Officer 1^st Class (CPO1) Cavel Shebib

Conseils de sécurité

Conseils de sécurité episode 59: Mathieu Luinaud, consultant en stratégie et expert du secteur spatial

Bylines & Frontlines

Bylines & Frontlines Episode 8: Localization as Strategy. Rethinking WPS from the Ground Up from WIIS-C

Stay in Touch!

• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, and via our website.

• Join our Listserv: cdsncommunity@cdsn-rcds.com, a place to share news
  and opportunities within the Canadian defence and security community

  Subscribe now

  

For today’s feature interview, Prof Anessa Kimball speaks with Federico Chaves Correa. They discuss Canada’s evolving relationship with Latin American countries in an era of constantly hemispheric security and defence issues.

Federico Chaves Correa is a doctoral candidate in political science at Laval University under the supervision of Aurélie Campana and Pamela Colombo. He also holds a master’s degree in political science from Laval University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the Universidad Nacional de Rosario. He was a doctoral researcher on the FrameNet project, co-organized by several universities in Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom, funded by the Open Research Area (DFG, SSHRC, ESRC). He is currently a member of the Roméo Dallaire Chair in Leadership in Teaching Civil Conflict and Sustainable Peace.

Webpage: https://www.conflits-et-paix.cle.ulaval.ca/en/team/federico-chaves-correa

Article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/jcms.70079

Bringing together leading experts from multiple disciplines, Canada in the Global Refugee Regime explores how Canada has influenced global refugee responses and where its impact has been more muted. Chapters examine the country’s actions in international forums; its resettlement and sponsorship initiatives; its engagement in key regional contexts such as Latin America, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East; and the links between refugee policy and foreign policy. Contributors reflect on the relationship between Canada’s international leadership and its domestic practices, offering a nuanced account that moves beyond simplistic narratives of benevolence.https://www.mqup.ca/Recent-News/2026/05/Canada-s-Role-in-Global-Refugee-Responses-by-Nathan-Benson-James-Milner-and-Delphine-Nakache

James Milner is a Professor of Political Science at Carleton University. He is currently Project Director of LERRN: The Local Engagement Refugee Research Network, a 7-year, SSHRC-funded partnership between researchers and civil society actors primarily in Canada, Jordan, Kenya, Lebanon and Tanzania. He is also Director of the Migration and Diaspora Studies program at Carleton University, Co-Chair of the Global Academic Interdisciplinary Network, and Canada’s first De Mello Chair. He has been a researcher, practitioner and policy advisor on issues relating to the global refugee regime, global refugee policy, meaningful refugee participation and the politics of asylum in the global South. He has undertaken field research in Burundi, Guinea, Kenya, India, Tanzania and Thailand, and has presented research findings to stakeholders in New York, Geneva, London, Ottawa, Bangkok, Nairobi, Dar es Salaam and elsewhere. He has worked as a Consultant for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in India, Cameroon, Guinea and its Geneva Headquarters. He is author of Refugees, the State and the Politics of Asylum in Africa (Palgrave Macmillan, 2009), co-author (with Alexander Betts and Gil Loescher) of UNHCR: The Politics and Practice of Refugee Protection (Routledge, 2012), and co-editor of Refugees’ Roles in Resolving Displacement and Building Peace: Beyond Beneficiaries(Georgetown University Press, 2019) and Protracted Refugee Situations: Political, Human Rights and Security Implications (UN University Press, 2008).

To recognize the achievement, we are re-posting a feature interview with Battle Rhythm Host Dr. Stephen Saideman and Pulitzer Prize Winner Byron Tau.

Byron Tau is an investigative and enterprise journalist who specializes in law, courts, and national security. As a reporter for the Associated Press, he won a 2026 Pulitzer Prize in international reporting for an “astonishing global investigation into state-of-the-art tools of mass surveillance.” Tau previously worked at The Wall Street Journal and Politico. A native of Holliston, Massachusetts, Tau has degrees from McGill University in Montreal and Georgetown University in Washington, D.C.

https://www.penguinrandomhouse.ca/authors/2265984/byron-tau

The Canadian Defence and Security Network is an independent, non-partisan research group of partners from government, academia and civil society. The network is funded by a SSHRC Partnership Grant and a MINDS Collaborative Network Grant.

Opportunities:

1. Peace Research Internship at Project Ploughshares for Summer 2026: remote work (4 days a week) between June 1- July 31, 2026. Applications are due May 5th, 2026. Submit a letter and resume (including 3 references) to: mpupic@ploughshares.ca

2. Apply for the 2026 CDSN Summer Institute! This year’s Summer Institute will be running from August 17-21, 2026. (deadline: May 30, 2026) More information and the link to the application can be found here: www.cdsn-rcds.com/summerinstitute

3. WIIS Annual Blog Competition in collaboration with Population and Security: This year’s theme is “When Security Loses its Human Face”. We welcome submissions in English or French (max. 1000 words), using hyperlinks where relevant. Submission deadline is June 1st , send your blog post by email to: popandsec@gmail.com

4. PhD Fellowship in Societal Security and Preparedness at the Royal Danish Defence College. Deadline to apply is June 1st , more information can be found here: Styrelsen for Arbejdsmarked og Rekruttering

5. Canada-Iceland Conference on Resilience (Oct 15-17, Winnipeg, Manitoba): This is a hybrid conference with in-person panels and cultural programming in Winnipeg, supported by options for online participation for both presenters and attendees, papers are being accepted until June 1st. Send to um_icelandic@umanitoba.ca.

6. Defence & Security Economics Workshop (Oct 29-30, Carleton University, Ottawa) If you are interested in presenting a paper, please submit an abstract to: DefenceEconomicsCanada@gmail.com, the deadline for submission is June 30th. More information can be found here: www.defenceandsecurityeconomicsworkshop.ca

7. Inter-University Seminar on Armed Forces and Society (IUS) Conference: The 2026 IUS Canada Conference will be held at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario from October 23-25. We welcome papers or organized panels that address the key themes of interest to the IUS Fellows in support of emerging scholarly research dealing with the military establishment and civil-military relations. More information can be found here: www.cdsn-rcds.com/network-events/ius-canada-2026

Latest Podcasts:

All our podcasts can be found on Spotify, iTunes and Substack, and Soundcloud.

Bylines & Frontlines Episode 8: Localization as Strategy. Rethinking WPS from the Ground Up from WIIS-C

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.15: Mistrusted to Serve? With Dr. Jean-Christophe Boucher

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.14: People Centered Security and Defence

Battle Rhythm Episode 4.13: Exercising Restraint and Evaluating Trade-Offs with Dr.

Andrea Charron

Stay in Touch!

• Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram/Facebook, and via our website. 

• Join our Listserv: cdsncommunity@cdsn-rcds.com, a place to share news and opportunities within the Canadian defence and security community