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.

Sergeant Robin Marlow, a CH-147 Chinook Loadmaster with 450 Tactical Helicopter Squadron surveys the area while on a reconnaissance flight during Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability 22-02 at Fort Wainwright, Alaska on March 4, 2022.
Photo by Corporal Angela Gore, Canadian Armed Forces Photo

Events

  • Book cover featuring text on a blue background.

  • Book Talk: The Legacy of 9/11: Views from North America

    Friday, September 8, 2023
    10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. CT
    Online

    Over two decades on from the September 11th terrorist attacks, The Legacy of 9/11 explores the political, economic, security and defence, and trade and border implications of the event for the United States and its North American allies. From a reconsideration of internationalism, a rise in populism and a shift in migration patterns to the interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq, The Legacy of 9/11 uncovers how successive North American governments reacted in surprising ways to the world-altering attack. 

    Join us for a virtual discussion with four of the book's authors on the enduring impact of 9/11 on US policy towards and relations with Canada and Mexico, moderated by Canada Institute Director Christopher Sands.

    Speakers:
    Dr. Andrea Charron, CDSS and Department of Political Studies, UM
    Athanasios Hristoulas, Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México (ITAM)
    Meredith Lilly, Carleton University
    Kim Richard Nossal, Queen's University

    Register Buy the book

NORAD book cover plus headshots of the two authors, Charron and Fergusson.

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 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.

Buy the book

Watch a video of the Jan 18th book launch event at McNally Robinson

What we offer

A CH-148 Cyclone prepares to take off from the flight deck of HMCS HALIFAX during Operation REASSURANCE on 16 May 2022.

Publications

CDSS publishes a wide range of articles and books. Some are available online and some are available for purchase.

Sergeant Moogly Tetrault-Hamel (left) carries the Canadian Armed Forces Eagle Staff at the Indigenous Sunrise Ceremony in honour of the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid in Dieppe, France on August 18, 2017.

Reports and documents

CDSS regularly releases or participates in reports related to NORAD and other defence and security topics.

Back view of high school students seated listening to a presentation.

Community and high school presentations

As part of our outreach efforts, members of the Centre for Defence and Security Studies are available to speak on various international relations issues. Members have extensively travelled the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, Europe and the United States and have spoken to high school social studies classes and various community organizations across Manitoba.

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
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

Two text logos on white background. Text of first logo: CDSN The Canadian Defence and Security Network. Text of second logo: NAADSN North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network.

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

Centre for Defence and Security Studies
University College
University of Manitoba
Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada

cdss@umanitoba.ca
204-474-0834
204-474-7585