CALL FOR PAPERS

Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS)

4th annual Essay Prize

The Canadian Association for Security and Intelligence Studies (CASIS) announces the 4th annual competition for the 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.

Adjudication

All submissions will be adjudicated by a panel comprised of academics and representatives of the CSIS Academic Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement (AOSE) program. The review process will commence in May 2025, with results announced via email in July 2025.

About CASIS

CASIS is a non-partisan, voluntary association established in 1985. Its purpose is to provide informed debate in Canada on security and intelligence issues.

About CSIS AOSE

The Academic Outreach & Stakeholder Engagement program is an important bridge linking CSIS to Canadians. The program engages with stakeholders and thought leaders on national security issues from across Canada and around the world to ensure that CSIS’ work is informed by a broad and diverse spectrum of voices and perspectives.

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APPEL À CONTRIBUTIONS

L‘Association Canadienne pour les études de renseignement et de sécurité (ACERS)

4ème compétition annuelle du Prix de redaction

L‘Association Canadienne pour les études de renseignement et de sécurité (ACERS) annonce  la quatrième compétition  annuelle du Prix de rédaction de l’ACERS, soutenu par le Service Canadien du renseignement de sécurité (SCRS). Des prix seront décernés pour les meilleurs  articles  par des étudiants au premier cycle et aux cycles supérieurs portant sur un sujet lié au renseignement ou touchant aux questions liées aux intérêts du Canada en matière de sécurité nationale de manière plus large.

Le prix

Deux prix seront décernés, pour des étudiant(e)s au premier cycle et aux cycles supérieurs. Le prix aux cycles supérieurs est de $2,500, tandis qu’il est de $1,000 au premier cycle. Les deux gagnant(e)s seront invité(e)s à présenter leurs articles  à un événement de l’ACERS en 2025. Leurs articles  seront aussi  publiés sur le site web de l’ACERS.

Critères d’éligibilité

Le concours est ouvert aux étudiants du premier cycle et des cycles supérieurs inscrit(e)s à une université

canadienne, ou tout(e) étudiant(e) canadien(ne) inscrit(e) à une université à l’extérieur du Canada. Les articles soumis dans le contexte des exigences d’un cours universitaire ainsi que les articles  écrits spécifiquement pour ce concours sont les bienvenus. Les soumissions peuvent être en anglais  ou en français. Un seul article par candidat sera accepté pour le concours.

Les sujets

Les essais doivent aborder une dimension  des questions de renseignement, de sécurité ou d’application de la loi à

n’importe quelle période et dans n’importe quel pays. Les candidatures peuvent provenir de n’importe quelle discipline des sciences humaines ou sociales, des programmes interdisciplinaires ou de facultés de droit.

Soumission

Les articles  pour le premier cycle ne doivent pas dépasser 30 pages, incluant les notes de bas de page. Les articles pour les cycles supérieurs ne doivent pas dépasser 40 pages, incluant les notes de bas de page. Les soumissions devraient être envoyées par courriel, avec une ligne de sujet clairement identifiée, avec le nom de famille de l’auteur(e) : « Prix ACERS-SCRS », niveau premier cycle ou cycles supérieurs, Tremblay, Pierre.

Les soumissions devraient être écrites en utilisant Microsoft Word, taille 12, à simple interligne, et doivent inclure une page titre avec le nom de l’auteur(e), l’institution,  le programme académique, et l’information de contact. Une preuve d’inscription à une université canadienne ou étrangère (bulletin ou certification)  est requise, et une preuve de citoyenneté pourrait être requise pour les étudiant(e)s à l’extérieur du Canada. Veuillez envoyer une copie électronique de l’article à :

Dr. Arne Kislenko

Department of History, Toronto Metropolitan University

akislenk@torontomu.ca

La date limite pour les soumissions est le vendredi 02 mai, 2025.

Évaluation

Toutes les soumissions seront évaluées  par un panel composé d’universitaires et de représentants du Programme de liaison-recherche et de collaboration avec les intervenants du SCRS. Le processus d’évaluation  commencera en mai

2025, et les résultats  seront annoncés par courriel en Juillet 2025.

À propos de l’ACERS

L’ACERS est une association non-partisane et bénévole établie en 1985. Son objectif principal  est de fournir un débat

informé au Canada sur les enjeux de sécurité et de renseignement.

À propos du programme de liaison-recherche et de collaboration avec les intervenants

Le programme de liaison-recherche et de collaboration avec les intervenants est une passerelle importante entre le SCRS et les Canadiens. Il permet de nouer un dialogue avec de grands penseurs et des intervenants du Canada et d’ailleurs dans le monde sur des questions de sécurité nationale, afin qu’un large éventail de voix et de points de vue nourrissent  les travaux du SCRS.

“The War on Terror” has become a hallmark of the contemporary international order. 9/11, the Bali bombings, 7/7, the Charlie Hebdo murders, the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel, and many more incidents have become imbedded in our collective memories as symbols of a “new” global threat. Al Qaeda, Osama bin Laden, ISIS, and “the far right” have become terms in the common vernacular. Indeed, in many respects, both the realities and perceptions of terrorism affect the everyday lives of billions of people. But is it all really anything new?  Contrary to popular belief, terrorism has always been part of the international polity. From the terror cimbricus of ancient Rome, to the ?ashsh?sh?n of the Fatimid Empire, to the anarchists of 19^th century Russia: world history is littered with “terrorists.” But while we have used the word for more than two millennia, defining terrorism in any objective and universally agreed fashion has proven near impossible. This course will explore some of the many dimensions of global terrorism. Beginning with definitions, we will trace the development of terror as a political tool from the ancient world to the 21^st century: covering the cultural, religious, and ideological dimensions of some of the best – and least – known “terrorists” in history.  Examining terrorism as a contentious and subjective term throughout, this course offers an historical perspective with focus on the origins, structure, and dynamics of terrorism as an instrument of both state and non-state actors, as well as corresponding counter-terrorism strategies. Particular attention is on the 19th and 20th centuries, however we will also address terrorism in the current international order looking at groups like Al Qaeda, ISIS, continuing state-sponsored violence, the “lone wolf” phenomenon, and the many faces of so-called “homegrown” extremism.

For a country that no longer exists, the Soviet Union continues to have substantial impact on the contemporary global order. In 2005, Russian leader Vladimir Putin called the collapse of the Soviet Union “the greatest geopolitical catastrophe of the century”.  He added that “for the Russian people, it became a genuine tragedy”, lamenting how millions of them were left outside of an “historical Russia”. At the time, many observers considered that and similar comments Putin made as nationalist rhetoric or simple nostalgia for a time when Russia represented more of a global power. However, following Russia’s 2014 occupation of Crimea, and its 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Putin’s comments reveal a much more complex and dangerous world view: focused, at least in part, on the restoration of Russian and Soviet empires long since passed. In that respect, understanding the history of the Soviet Union is key to understanding modern Russia and the pivotal role it plays in today’s international order. It is also essential to understanding the fifteen other countries that used to be part of it, and the contemporary conflicts that haunt many of them.  This course explores the history of the Soviet Union from its origins to its collapse, with respect to both national and international dimensions. Topics include the collapse of imperial rule and the Russian Revolution; the civil war; Soviet efforts to reshape politics, the economy, and history; that nature of “everyday life” for the millions who lived in the country; the pivotal role of leadership, ideology, and ‘world views’; state violence and genocide; the Second World War; de-Stalinization and détente; Cold War foreign policy; division and decline in the Soviet empire; and the eventual collapse of the state. We will also examine the legacy of Soviet rule in the region today, particularly with respect to modern Russia, its role in global affairs, and the war in Ukraine.

What exactly are “human rights”? Can we define and promote concepts of “universal justice” across time and place? How do human rights and ideas about justice interact with the realities of conflict and security in international relations? This course is designed to explore some of the myriad issues shaping the relationships between human rights, principles of justice, and the realities of conflict:  focusing on both historical and contemporary international events. We will look at some basic philosophical and political conceptions, as well as how select major conflicts affected and affect the idea and reality of these notions over time. Within these parameters, we will tackle an array of complex and challenging themes, including colonialism, nationalism, radical ideologies, revolution, war, genocide, and sovereignty. Ultimately, this course is designed to introduce students to the perpetual struggles of humanity against tyranny and conflict in all its manifestations. In doing so, it should provide an expansive and wide-ranging context for the study of international relations through global history, but also through an interdisciplinary approach. Particular attention will be given to how nations and the international order have developed, or failed to develop, norms to preserve and promote human rights and the principles of “universal” justice.  With a better understanding of historical events, we can then turn to more contemporary examples: exploring different narratives on security, human rights, and justice around the world.  Using a “global lens” wherever possible, this course will hopefully facilitate an understanding of multiple – sometimes disagreeable – perspectives and narratives. The inherent controversies of that kind of approach will be embraced in order to discourage simplistic narratives of extremely complicated ideas and events, which makes meaningful discussion and change more difficult. In that light, maybe Walt Whitman was right when he said, “History’s not “was”.  It’s “is”.

akislenk@torontomu.ca

arne.kislenko@utoronto.ca

OFFICE HOURS:

at TMU:

Mondays        13:00-14:30 hours

Wednesdays   12:00- 13:30 hours      

Via Zoom: see your course outline/D2L shell

at U of T:

TUESDAYS 16:10-18:00 hours

LA 337

The Dale W. Nelson Award is available to students registered in the History BA programme or History majors in the Arts and Contemporary Studies (ACS) programme studying for at least one semester abroad as part of an international exchange. Further details can be found at Awards – Department of History – Ryerson University  and http://www.kislenko.com. 

Past Awards:

2007 – Julian Reid

2008 – Samantha Stevens-Hall

2015 – Muna Osman

2017 – Erin Pebesma and Noa Borden

One of two winners of the Dale W. Nelson Award in 2017 was Erin Pebesma. She received $2000 from the Award to help fund her studies at the University of Lincoln during the Winter 2017 term.

“Earlier this year I was blessed with the opportunity to spend a semester at the University of Lincoln in England. Thanks to the Dale W. Nelson award I was able to do more than just study history. Living in Lincoln for five months allowed me to be surrounded by more history than I’d ever experienced. Having never been out of North America, I was in love with all of the old cities and museums that made everything I’ve learned into something more real than images and words. Thanks to the Dale W. Nelson award I also had the opportunity to travel around England and Europe, exploring different cities and experiencing new cultures. York and Budapest were my favourite places to visit because of the mix of historic sites, green spaces, modern culture, and friendly atmosphere. After all of my travels, I’m now quite comfortable with being in new and unfamiliar places. I always knew that I wanted to study in England and travel the world, and now that I’ve had this experience I look forward to being able to travelling more in the future. I am so grateful for the community that so willingly took me in during my time in Lincoln, and I hope to maintain the relationships and connections I’ve made.”

Noa received $2000 from the Award to help fund her studies at Curtin University in Perth, Australia during the Winter 2017 term. Recently Noa reflected on her experience abroad and what the Nelson Award meant for her:

“This winter, I had the opportunity to escape cold and snowy Toronto for Curtin University in Perth, Australia. The campus is wonderfully designed to take full advantage of the warmth and sun of Australia’s west coast. Like Ryerson, Curtin is innovative and friendly, and there is a constant buzz of activity. Studying abroad has always been a dream of mine, and I was fortunate to do so in such a beautiful city. Being overseas, however, made me appreciate the community we have at home and our amazing space downtown. My primary interest as a history student has always been Europe, but the Dale Nelson award helped fund my travel in Australia and Southeast Asia, opening up my learning opportunities to regions I had not yet explored. I was able to participate in a number of cultural activities in Perth, such as Australian Rules Football, more commonly known as ‘Footy’, which is a mix of a number of sports with a special Aussie twist, and the ANZAC Day Dawn Ceremony which commemorates the sacrifices made by Australians in times of war.  Much like traveling from Toronto to either the East or West coasts of Canada, spending a week on Australia’s Eastern seaboard, in Sydney, during our mid-semester break gave me a very different perspective on what it means to be Australian, and the people who make up the incredibly diverse country. While there, I had the chance to give surfing a try at the renowned Bondi beach, followed by some well-deserved fish n’ chips. In Southeast Asia, the sights, sounds and smells were at times overwhelming, and it was truly a lifechanging experience. The major city centers exist on a scale that is difficult to comprehend, making the time we spent in the countryside even more special. it was refreshing to escape the crowds and learn about the local culture, language and food. It was also a good reminder of the privileged, stable lives we lead in Canada. With new perspective, and a little bit more comprehension, I look forward to this coming year at Ryerson, and sharing my experiences with incoming exchange students and those looking to go overseas.”

The 2015 winner of the Dale W. Nelson Award was Muna Osman. She received $2000 from the Award to help fund her studies at Radboud University in the Netherlands during the Winter 2015 term.

“This winter I had the amazing opportunity to study on exchange at Radboud University in the Netherlands. The chance to make new friends and explore different places are just some of the many benefits of studying on exchange. My exchange would not have been possible without the Dale Nelson Award. It allowed me to have a much more fulfilling experience in the Netherlands than I otherwise would have. It funded both my local and international trips where I was able to learn about new cultures, meet new people, and sightsee. For example, I had the chance to take part in the festivities at this year’s Kingsday in Amsterdam and get in touch with the Dutch. This was done by wearing a ton of orange and showing my Dutch pride. I also got to visit Denmark and was lucky enough to be there during Queen Margrethe’s 75th birthday celebrations and even caught a glimpse of her royal highness.  As a History student it was truly amazing to visit places I learned about in class such as Neue Wache in Berlin or the Canadian National Vimy Memorial and Palace of Versailles in France. And after going to museums such as the Louvre or Victoria and Albert Museum I probably won’t be able to look at the ROM the same way. Visiting museums for free is just a luxury us Torontonians sadly cannot afford. Not to mention I got to try my hand at learning new languages much to the amusement of the locals. It was also a bonus that my host university was located in one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Where else but in Nijmegen can you have the world’s best hot chocolate in a pub built in 1542? Ever since high-school I always knew I wanted to go study abroad and in January 2015 I finally got to fulfil one of my dreams through the Dale Nelson Award. I now have new life-long friends, a second home, and heaps of memories that I will hold onto for the rest of my life.”

The Dale W. Nelson Award is available to students registered in the History BA programme, History Double Majors (with English or Philosophy), or History majors in the Arts and Contemporary Studies (ACS) programme studying for at least one semester abroad as part of an international exchange.

The award, formerly known as the History Travel Award, was founded by Dr. Arne Kislenko in 2006 with the belief that an international educational experience gives students a greater appreciation of diversity in the world, and simultaneously increases their self-confidence and independence. The award is now named for Dale W. Nelson (1958-1993), Dr. Kislenko’s best friend and brother-in-law, whose intellectual curiosity, legendary humour, and love of History were always inspirational.

Previous awards:

2007 Julian Reid

2008 Samantha Stevens-Hall

2009 – 2014 not awarded

2015 Muna Osman

2016 not awarded

2017 Noa Bordan and Erin Pebesma

2018 – 2024 not awarded

About Dale Nelson: About Dale Nelson