CASIS Newsletter: Winter 2025
Some exciting announcements, plus some updates about our board!
Introducing Secure Line: A New Podcast on Canada’s National Security
Hey CASIS subscribers! You may have seen our posts about Secure Line, our new podcast dedicated to unpacking Canada’s unique intelligence landscape and its role in the ever-evolving global security environment. This engaging podcast is designed for anyone curious about national security, intelligence, and the critical issues shaping today’s world.
Secure Line is hosted by an exceptional team of experts, each bringing a wealth of experience and insight to the table. Jessica Davis, a PhD graduate from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA), has dedicated her career to studying intelligence and national security. She is an internationally recognized expert on terrorism, illicit financing, and intelligence analysis, and also serves as the CASIS President. Leah West, an Associate Professor at NPSIA, is the author of several peer-reviewed articles on legal issues concerning national security, cyber operations and the law of armed conflict. She is a regular commentator on national security matters for Canadian and international media outlets, and has testified before both the House of Commons and the Senate, and the European Parliament. Rounding out the team is Stephanie Carvin, an Associate Professor of International Relations at NPSIA, whose expertise lies in international law, national security and intelligence. She has published extensively on Canadian national security issues and is sought after for her insightful commentary on international affairs.
Together, these hosts combine their deep knowledge and unique perspectives to deliver thought-provoking conversations on pressing security and intelligence topics in Canada and beyond. Secure Line is a must-listen podcast for anyone keen to understand the complexities of Canada’s security landscape and its global implications.
Whether you are a security professional, a policymaker, or simply someone interested in the dynamics of national security, this podcast has something for everyone.
You can subscribe to Secure Line on your favorite platform today:
Our first episode was released on January 26th 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to join us on this journey through Canada’s national security landscape. Subscribe today and be part of the conversation!
Don’t forget to check out the CASIS 2024 Symposium Report!
Don’t forget to check out the CASIS Symposium Report, which highlights key discussions and insights from the most recent annual symposium that took place on November 1st 2024. This report is a valuable resource for anyone interested in the key messages, takeaways and themes from the event. If you weren’t able to join our 2024 Symposium, not to worry — details about the 2025 Symposium are coming soon! For now, mark your calendars for November 7, 2025.
Call for Papers: 4th Annual CASIS Essay Prize
We are happy to announce the call for papers for the 4th annual CASIS Essay Prize, supported by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). Prizes will be awarded for the best undergraduate and graduate papers on a subject dealing with intelligence or on a matter related to Canada’s broad national security interests.
The Award: One graduate and one undergraduate paper will be awarded. The graduate prize is $2500, while the undergraduate prize is $1000. Both winners will be invited to deliver their papers at a CASIS event in 2025, and both papers will be published on-line through the CASIS website.
Eligibility Criteria: The competition is open to undergraduate or graduate students enrolled at a Canadian university, or any Canadian student enrolled at a university outside of Canada. Papers submitted as part of a university course requirement and papers specifically designed for this contest are welcome. Submissions can be in English or French. Only one paper per candidate will be accepted for the competition.
Topics: Essays must address some dimension of intelligence, security, or law enforcement issues in any time period and in any country. Submissions can be from any Humanities or Social Sciences discipline, inter-disciplinary programmes, or law school.
Submissions: Undergraduate essays cannot exceed 30 pages including footnotes. Graduate papers cannot exceed 40 pages including notes. Submissions should be sent by email with a clear subject heading reading “CASIS-CSIS Prize”, graduate or undergraduate level, and the author’s last name: i.e. “CASIS-CSIS Prize – undergraduate – Doe, Jane.” Submissions must be in Microsoft Word, 12-point font, double spaced, and must include a full title page with the author's name, institution, academic programme, and contact information. Proof of registration at a University in Canada or abroad (transcript or certification) is required, and proof of citizenship may be required for students studying outside of Canada. Send an electronic copy of the paper to:
Dr. Arne Kislenko
Department of History
Toronto Metropolitan University
akislenk@torontomu.ca
The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 2, 2025.
Call for Proposals: CASIS 40th Anniversary History Project
CASIS is turning 40! To celebrate the occasion, we are inviting proposals for the writing of its history. We are looking for a paper of about 6,000-8,000 words that covers the association's evolution: its mandate, its membership, the events it has organized, and the impact it has had on the study of security and intelligence in Canada.
As part of the work, the selected researcher should conduct interviews, including with past and present members of the CASIS board.
If interested, please submit a 300-word description of how you would intend to go about completing this research, along with your CV, before 10 March 2025 to tjuneau@uottawa.ca.
The selected candidate will receive $2,500 once the work is complete.
CASIS Board Updates
CASIS held board meetings on November 14th 2024 and January 27th 2025. The meetings covered updates on the podcast, symposium, website, and changes to the Board. The podcast is available on three streaming platforms (Spotify, YouTube, and Apple), and the first few episodes will address political developments in the United States and their impacts on Canadian national security, politics, and intelligence-sharing. Guests thus far include Stewart Bell, Thomas Juneau, Justin Ling, and Michelle Tessier.
A sub-committee of the Board will be established to organize the 2025 Symposium, scheduled for November 7, 2025. It will again take place at the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Lessons learned from the 2024 Symposium were discussed, as well as potential new ideas for next year, including a potential networking event and sponsorship opportunities.
CASIS will also commence work to redesign its website for a more professional, modern, and streamlined look. The board reviewed proposals from five vendors, and voted in favour of pursuing the option that was most cost-effective and had the shortest timeframe for implementation. More to follow!
Some changes to our board
We have a bittersweet announcement with regards to some changes to the CASIS board:
Tim Sayle, CASIS Vice President is stepping down, with former Director of Finance, Akshay Singh, taking his place as Vice President. We’re grateful to have the expertise of Nancy Clark as she joins the board as the new Director of Finance. Additionally, Robert Crawhall and Julia Johnston will be stepping down from the board, while we welcome Micah Clark, Reem Zaia, and Paul Jarrett into the ranks. We cannot be more grateful to Tim, Robert, and Julia for their years of dedication to CASIS!