Dr. Andrea Charron
Director
Associate Professor of Political Studies
andrea.charron@umanitoba.ca
Faculty of Arts
Centre for Defence and Security Studies
As a centre of national excellence, the Centre for Defence and Security Studies (CDSS) at the University of Manitoba advances knowledge, understanding and debate on defence and security issues through research, teaching and outreach. The CDSS is Canada’s major defence research centre of the prairies. With Winnipeg as the home of the Royal Canadian Airforce and the Canadian NORAD Regional Headquarters, the CDSS serves as an important resource for the Canadian Armed Forces in Manitoba. The Centre’s three research themes include: Arctic and North American defence, regional security and defence policy.

Events
J.W. Dafoe Political Studies Students' Conference

NORAD: In Perpetuity and Beyond
By Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. James Fergusson
Congratulations to co-authors Andrea Charron and James Fergusson on the publication of their latest book.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) has undergone wide-ranging changes since 2006, when it was given a new maritime warning mission and the NORAD Agreement was signed in perpetuity. The authors trace NORAD’s recent history, marked by innovations in technology and in command and control, but also by unprecedented threats. This book comes at a critical time. The rise of new peer competitors requires a fundamental reconsideration of the shared defence of North America, including the maritime and cyber domains. The authors investigate the ways in which the NORAD command might adapt in the future as it struggles to modernize and keep ahead of new threats.
Watch a video of the Jan 18th book launch event at McNally Robinson
What we offer
To arrange for a speaker, please contact the Centre Director, Dr. Andrea Charron at andrea.charron@umanitoba.ca.
Who we are
Members
Director
Dr. Andrea Charron
Associate Professor of Political Studies
Dr. Andrea Charron holds a Ph.D. from the Royal Military College of Canada (Department of War Studies). She obtained a Masters in International Relations from Webster University, Leiden, The Netherlands, a Master’s of Public Administration from Dalhousie University and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) from Queen’s University. Her research and teaching areas include NORAD, the Arctic, foreign and defence policy and sanctions. She serves on the DND’s Defence Advisory Board and has published in numerous peer-reviewed journals. Dr. Charron worked for various federal departments including the Privy Council Office in the Security and Intelligence Secretariat and the Canada Revenue Agency.
Deputy Director
Dr. James Fergusson
Professor of Political Studies
Dr. James Fergusson received his Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Masters' degrees from the University of Manitoba, and his Ph.D. from the University of British Columbia in 1989. He teaches a range of courses in the areas of international relations, foreign and defence policy, and strategic studies. He has published numerous articles on strategic studies, non-proliferation and arms control, the defence industry, and Canadian foreign and defence policy.
Military Liaison
Mr. Warren Otto, M.A. Academic Advisor, Military Support Office, UM
Arctic and NORAD experts
Dr. Alfredo Camacho, Department Head, Department of Geological Sciences, University of Manitoba
Dr. Andrea Charron, Associate Professor of Political Studies, University of Manitoba
Mr. David Babb, BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD candidate at the Centre for Earth Observation Science, University of Manitoba
Mr. Troy Bouffard, University of Alaska Fairbanks, School of Management for the Homeland Security and Emergency Management Program
Dr. James Fergusson, Professor of Political Studies, University of Manitoba
Dr. Thomas Hughes, Postdoctoral Fellow CDSS
Regional security experts
Dr. Kawser Ahmed (ret Col), Public Safety Canada
Ms. Yuliia Ivaniuk, Coordinator, Centre for Ukrainian Canadian Studies, University of Manitoba
Mr. Hristijan Ivanovski, European Specialist (Compensation Advisor, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSSC))
Dr. I.M. Lobo de Souza , Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, the Federal University of Paraiba, Brazil
Dr. Lasha Tchantouridzé, Associate Professor School of Graduate and Continuing Studies, Norwich University (Vermont)
MGen (ret) Denis Thompson, Canadian Armed Forces
Dr. Sherman Xiaogang Lai, PhD Queen's University, Former researcher at the Academy of Military Science of the Chinese Liberation Army (PLA)
Mr. Omar Martin Tejada Perez, PhD candidate, Peace and Conflict Studies, University of Manitoba. Retired Marine Officer of the Peruvian Navy, former United Nations Peacekeeper.
Defence policy and security issue experts
General RR (Ray) Henault (ret.), Canadian Defence Associations Institute
Mr. Bill E. Featherstone, ExtEd/91, BA/18, MA/20, University of Manitoba
Dr. Meghan Fitzpatrick, Ph.D. King's College London, UK
Dr. Emmanuel Goffi, Director, Observatoire Éthique & Intelligence Artificielle de l'Institut Sapiens, Paris, France
Dr. Andrew Latham, Professor, Department of Political Science, Macalester College
Dr. Richard (Rick) Linden (Major-General ret.), Professor of Sociology, University of Manitoba
Dr. Adam Muller, Associate Professor of English, University of Manitoba
Dr. Bryan Peeler, Assistant Professor, Political Studies, University of Manitoba
Student fellows and research assistants
Ms. Janice Tilly, PhD candidate, University of Manitoba
Ms. Liz Hydesmith, PhD candidate, University of Manitoba
Mr. Nicholas Glesby, MA candidate, Department of Political Studies
Mr. Jay Dion, MA candidate, Department of Political Studies
Mr. Pat McBurnie, MA candidate, Department of Political Studies
History of the CDSS
The Centre for Defence and Security Studies (CDSS) was established by the Senate of the University of Manitoba in 1993. The Centre is based upon the Programme in Strategic Studies which was established in 1986 on the reception of the first grant from the Canadian Department of National Defence's Military and Strategic Studies (MSS) Programme. The Centre is Canada's major defence research centre of the Prairies (from Lakehead to the Alberta border) attracting both scholars and students to the study of defence and international security studies. As Winnipeg is the home of the Royal Canadian Airforce and the Canadian NORAD Regional Headquarters, the CDSS serves as an important resource for the Canadian Armed Forces here in Manitoba. Whether it is the lectures CDSS fellows deliver to Barker College or to reserve units, or programming for serving military to complete their undergraduate or graduate degrees, the CDSS has a unique relationship with 17 Wing, Barker College, 1 CAD and 2 CAD.
Our partners

Student resources
Scholarships, fellowships and funding opportunities
There are a number of scholarships, fellowships and funding opportunities available to students through the Department of Political Studies.
Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security scholarships
The Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security (MINDS) program was created to invest in and expand defence engagement including support for young and emerging scholars through academic scholarships.
National Defence Policy Officer Recruitment Program
The Policy Officer Recruitment Programme (PORP) is a three-year professional development program designed to recruit and develop talented individuals from entry to working-level in the Policy Group at the Department of National Defence (DND).
Civilian jobs with the Department of National Defence (DND)
Find out how you can contribute the defence and security of Canada by becoming a civilian employee with DND.
Citation tips for students
These five videos presented by UM students offer an introduction to citation and referencing for students to use throughout their degree.
Media
If you would like to speak to someone from the Centre for Defence and Security Studies regarding media opportunities, please contact cdss@umanitoba.
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Contact us
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Dr. James Fergusson
Deputy Director
Professor of Political Studies
james.fergusson@umanitoba.ca
Centre for Defence and Security Studies
University College
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada