Since 1987, the Conference of Defence Association’s Institute has contributed to defence and security discussions across Canada and strived to recognize excellence when and where it occurs. Engage, Exchange, Educate (E3) is the CDA Institute’s annual symposium for graduate students and early career researchers working in the fields of defence and security. This year’s event will be held in Waterloo in collaboration with the Balsillie School of International Affairs (BSIA) on May 6-8, 2019. Join approximately 80 graduate students at this exciting event that will provide you an opportunity to present your research, network with students and faculty, and learn more about CDAI and BSIA.

E3 aims to cultivate the next generation of Canadian security and defence scholars and public service leaders. Participants will be given the opportunity to present research centered on Canada’s security and defence interests and policies during a series of focused panels and will receive constructive questions and feedback from the audience, expert moderators, and a panel of discussants drawn from defence and academia. Over the course of two days, presenters will also have the chance to take part in a series of small group workshops designed to enhance their communication and professional networking skills.

After the symposium, top articles will be featured on OpenCanada.org, a digital publication focused on international affairs combining elements of public policy, scholarship, and journalism, which engages 15,000 Canadians and has 50,000-75,000 readers per month. Selected participants will have the chance to publish their research as a CDA Institute Vimy Paper. Peer-reviewed, the Vimy Papers represent the Institute’s premier publication platform and are aimed at an audience of practitioners, policymakers and decision makers. Select attendees will also be invited to join the Canadian Network of Defense and Security Analysis, of which BSIA and the CDA Institute are founding organizations, which gathers 75 experts across the country to advise the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces.

The E3 Symposium organizers welcome your proposals for papers across the spectrum of Canadian defence and security interests and issues, but suggested topics include:

Peace operations and global engagement
Women, Peace and Security, Gender-Based Analysis, Gender Mainstreaming in International militaries
Balance of Power, Deterrence, and Global Governance
Regional security issues, terrorism, defence diplomacy
NATO roles, requirements and challenges from a Canadian perspective
North American defence, Five-Eyes intelligence network, multilateral defence organizations
Defence capabilities, force planning, Canadian defence spending
Canadian Armed Forces personnel recruitment, representation and well-being
Artificial Intelligence and autonomous systems
Cyber security and information warfare

Proposals should include an abstract of no longer than 750 words accompanied by a one-page CV. All proposals should be emailed to [email protected] no later than 22 March 2019.