The Network

Mobilize Knowledge. Train the Next Generation.

The Network for Strategic Analysis (RAS/NSA) is being launched as part of the Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) programme of the Department of National Defence of Canada. It is the very first fully bilingual MINDS network that will offer cutting-edge expertise in Canada’s two official languages.

Our primary mission is to mobilize Canadian and global expertise on three strategic challenges for Canada:

  • The intensification of competition between great powers under the threshold of armed conflict and its pandomain implications (led by Jonathan Paquin, Université Laval);
  • Capacity building, defense diplomacy and partnership development within regional, minilateral and international organizations (led by Sarah-Myriam Martin Brûlé, Bishop’s University);
  • Local and global transformations linked to climate change (led by Sarah Sharma, University of Ottawa, and Will Greaves, University of Victoria).

Objectives

In this context, the Network pursues three objectives:

  1. Mobilize – in French and English – innovative and multidisciplinary research in the field of defence and security in order to develop synergies and amplify the voice of experts;
  2. Disseminate the results of strategic analysis to the Government of Canada, partner organizations and the general public so as to inform political decisions and public debate;
  3. Train the next generation of security and defence experts by integrating students into the development and dissemination of knowledge and through the professional development of young researchers, with a particular concern for equity, diversity and inclusion.

The RAS/NSA is a research incubator that is committed to the academic freedom and non-partisan nature of its analyses. Through an inclusive approach, these values guide the RAS/NSA’s mission and direct its activities. Our strategy on intersectionality, designed by our GBA+ leader, Isabelle Caron, structures all of our mobilization, dissemination and training activities. The RAS/NSA’s community of diverse viewpoints and members is fundamental to achieving its mission. Pluralism is a virtue recognized as such by the Network. Particular attention is given to including ideas from marginalized groups and or those with minority status.

Led by a steering committee comprising Jonathan Paquin (uLaval), Justin Massie (UQÀM), Alexander Lanoszka (Waterloo), Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé (Bishop’s), Sarah Sharma (UVic) and Will Greaves (UOttawa), the Network brings together more than 80 leading researchers and experienced practitioners. In addition to researchers working on at least one of the three strategic challenges mentioned above, the Network mobilizes the expertise of international collaborators, a Strategic Council, a Scientific Council and emerging researchers.

Members

The RAS/NSA has five membership categories to represent its professional, faculty, graduate and undergraduate members. Our members are bilingual, which means they have the ability to understand both of Canada’s official languages, English and French. All members are free to express themselves in the official language of their choice. In addition to bilingualism, each category of membership has its own eligibility criteria, details of which are provided below.

Scholar

  • Professor in a Canadian university
  • Expert in at least one of the RAS/NSA research themes

Collaborator

  • Experienced practitioner or recognized researcher
  • Expert in at least one of the RAS/NSA research themes

Emerging Scholar

  • Graduate student or young professional
  • Supervised or sponsored by a RAS/NSA scholar or collaborator
  • Actively working on at least one of the RAS/NSA research themes

Student Collaborator

  • Undergraduate student
  • Supervised by a RAS/NSA scholar
  • Interest in at least one of the RAS/NSA research themes

Intern

  • Student credited by their University institution
  • Participates in the organization of RAS/NSA activities
  • Supervised by one of the members of the RAS/NSA team

For a spontaneous application, contact us at info@ras-nsa.ca.

Publications

The RAS/NSA is proud to mobilize research in the field of defence and security through four types of bilingual publications (hot takes, policy briefs, policy reports, articles and reports). Read our publication guidelines here: Publications RAS/NSA.

Structure

Network for Strategic Analysis ExecutiveTeam Collaborators ScientificBoard EmergingScholars AdvisoryBoard CHALLENGE 2CapacityBuilding CHALLENGE 3Climatic Change and the Environment CHALLENGE 1GreatPowers CHALLENGE 1GreatPowers CHALLENGE 2CapacityBuilding CHALLENGE 3Climatic Change and the Environment EmergingScholars Collaborators ExecutiveTeam AdvisoryBoard ScientificBoard

MINDS ENG

The Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) program is designed to facilitate collaboration and mobilize knowledge between the Department of National Defence, the Canadian Armed Forces, and academia and other experts on defence and security issues. Through its Targeted Engagement Grants, collaborative networks, scholarships, and expert briefings, MINDS works and collaborates with key partners to strengthen the foundation of evidence-based defence policy making. These partnerships drive innovation by encouraging new analyses of emerging global events, opportunities, and crises, while supporting a stronger defence and security dialogue with Canadians. Canada.ca/minds-defence

Justin Massie

Justin Massie

Co-director | Le Rubicon

Alexander Lanoszka

Alexander Lanoszka

Co-director | Publications

Jonathan Paquin

Jonathan Paquin

Co-director | Great Powers

Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé

Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé

Co-director | Capacity Building

Sarah E. Sharma

Sarah E. Sharma

Co-director | Climate Change and the Environment

Will Greaves

Will Greaves

Co-director | Climate Change and the Environment

Our partners

Canadian Defence and Security Network / Le Réseau canadien sur la défense et la sécurité Canadian International Council Centre d'études et de recherches internationales (CÉRIUM) Chaire Raoul-Dandurand en études stratégiques et diplomatiques École supérieure d'études internationales, Université Laval Institut d'études internationales de Montréal (IEIM) Réseau de recherche sur les opérations de paix (ROP) Wilson Center's Canada Institute Women in International Security - Canada logo-irsem-fond-transparentLogo CDSSCEPSI - Centre d'études sur la paix et la sécurité internationale

Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces / Le Ministère de la Défense nationale et les Forces armées canadiennes