Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies

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Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies

CMSS The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies is a research centre at the University of Calgary.

Established in 1999, the centre has a strong and growing reputation — both in Canada and beyond — for excellence in research and graduate instruction in the areas of military history, Canadian defence policy and security studies.

08/27/2026

The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies (CMSS) is pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Jackson, MA’91, PhD, as a new Fellow and as the Eddie Goldenberg Research Chair of Canada in Intelligence and Security in a Changing Global Order in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Calgary

After three decades of research in Europe, Dr. Jackson is excited to return to Canada and turn his focus to the Canadian security and intelligence experience. His research will include two projects examining critical issues for Canada’s future: security in the Arctic and Canadian public perspectives on intelligence.

Through the proposed Arctic Observation Unit, Dr. Jackson and his collaborators will use new data technologies and open-source intelligence to identify strategic activity and emerging signals across the Arctic, helping inform public discussion and government policy.

Welcome back to Calgary and to CMSS, Dr. Jackson!
👏 👏👏

08/26/2026

The Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies (CMSS) at the University of Calgary is a leading transdisciplinary centre for research and education in military, security, and strategic studies.

Established in 1999, CMSS brings together diverse disciplines—including history, political science, anthropology, geography economics, and engineering—to explore some of today’s most important defence and security challenges.

Our impact reaches far beyond our size, contributing to important conversations on defence and security in Canada and around the world.

Through pioneering interdisciplinary research, innovative academic programs, and meaningful community engagement, CMSS is committed to being a national and international leader in military, security, and strategic studies.

📚 Transdisciplinary. Research-focused. Impact-driven. Welcome to CMSS.

08/17/2026

Congratulations to CMSS Fellow Dr. Matthew Croombs on the publication of Cinemas of Global Solidarity, co-edited with Masha Salazkina and published by Oxford University Press! 🎉🎉🎉

Bringing together contributions from leading and emerging scholars in film and media studies, the collection examines solidarity as a governing concept of film aesthetics, circulation, distribution, and exhibition. It re-evaluates the history of anti-colonialism in cinema, while highlighting overlooked film radicalisms and the experimental practices of women’s collectives across the Global South.

By tracing connections between the anti-colonial period and the contemporary rise of fascism and forms of neo-colonialism, Cinemas of Global Solidarity offers a renewed understanding of cinema’s role in imagining alternatives to militarized borders, predatory finance capital, and the nation-state.

06/15/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Canada–Finland Arctic Security Forum on June 10 at the University of Calgary.

We were pleased to welcome a full house of students, researchers, practitioners, government officials, and community members to the Canada–Finland Arctic Security Forum. The exceptional turnout and thoughtful discussions highlighted the growing importance of Arctic security and the value of bringing together Canadian and Finnish perspectives to address shared challenges in the North. Thank you to our partners at the Canadian Maritime Security Network (CMSN), as well as our speakers, organizers, and attendees, for contributing to a successful and insightful event.

A sincere thank you to our distinguished speakers and panelists for sharing their expertise and insights:
• Dr. Rob Huebert, University of Calgary
• Dr. Tricia Stadnyk, University of Calgary
• Dr. Heather Exner-Pirot, Macdonald-Laurier Institute
• Jyri Häkämies, Former Minister of Defence of Finland
• Juni Flyktman, Vice-President, Defence and Security, IQM Quantum Computers
• Dr. Adam Lajeunesse, St. Francis Xavier University
• Commissioner Marc Mes, Canadian Coast Guard

We were also proud to showcase the outstanding work of CMSS graduate students Alexandra Hardwicke and Sasha Mathieu, who presented on how the European Union and Canada can jointly shape the governance of critical undersea infrastructure to strengthen sovereignty, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy.

The forum concluded with a fascinating fireside chat featuring former President of Finland Sauli Niinistö. President Niinistö shared valuable reflections on Arctic security, international cooperation, and the changing global strategic environment.

06/10/2026

Congratulations to Emilia Kuczynski and Claire Dickson on their convocation this past Monday!

Both graduates have earned their Master of Strategic Studies from the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies, completing thesis-based degrees that reflect their dedication to rigorous research and scholarship.

We are proud of their accomplishments and look forward to seeing where their expertise and hard work take them next 👏🎉

06/08/2026

Who says strategic studies and craft beer don’t mix?

Our Associate Fellow, Dr. Sam Hossack, PhD, will explore how Canada has responded to Arctic security challenges since the Second World War and how it has positioned itself to protect its interests in a rapidly changing North.

As global tensions rise and the Arctic becomes increasingly important to questions of sovereignty, security, and control, understanding Canada’s approach has never been more relevant.

📅 Tuesday, June 16
🕡 6:30 PM
📍 Good Cheer Brewing, 1220 20 Ave SE, Calgary

Space is limited—contact Good Cheer Brewing to reserve your spot.

Join us for an evening of great conversation, timely insights, and a great pint. 🍻

05/11/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary for our annual Alumni Showcase on April 29.

We are especially grateful to our outstanding panelists — Saira Bano, Gershon Adela, Ian MacMillan, and Sam Finn — for sharing their career journeys and insights with students, alumni, and the broader CMSS community. The discussion highlighted the many paths CMSS graduates pursue across academia, government, and industry.

Thank you as well to all who attended and helped make the evening such a success.

Interested in staying connected with CMSS and supporting students through mentorship and career advice? Learn more about MentorLink using the link in our bio 🔗

04/13/2026

What do CMSS grads do after they graduate?

Join us for the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies’ Annual Alumni Showcase on April 29 at the University Theatre (Main Campus). This event brings together CMSS alumni to share their career paths and insights into today’s evolving security and strategic environment. It’s an opportunity to learn how CMSS prepares graduates for diverse roles across academia, government, and industry.

Featured Speakers 🗣️
Saira Bano – Assistant Professor, Thompson Rivers University
Gershon Adela – PhD Candidate, University of Calgary
Ian MacMillan – Policy Analyst, Defence and Marine Procurement Branch, Government of Canada
Sam Finn – Manager, Aviation Security Threat and Risk, Air Canada

Connect with students, alumni, Fellows, and professionals over light refreshments while expanding your network and gaining valuable perspective on career pathways in security and strategic studies.

All are welcome! We look forward to seeing you there.

Registration link is in bio 🔗

04/09/2026

Giving Day 2026 is here! Officially launching on Thursday, April 9, and running through April 23. As always, Giving Day is an exciting time for our campus community to come together, celebrate philanthropy, and make a meaningful difference for the programs and initiatives that matter most. With eligible donations matched dollar for dollar, it’s also the best time of year to make a gift, knowing your contribution can go twice as far. Matching funds are limited and go quickly, we encourage you to give early!

Celebrate your connection to CMSS and join fellow alumni this Giving Day by making a gift to either the CMSS Public Conference Fund featured by the Faculty of Arts or the Major David A. Peabody Memorial Fund in CMSS. These funds help CMSS support our students and host Canadian security-focused conferences and events, including the recent Power Series conferences on Landpower, Airpower, and Seapower.

🔗 Link in bio to give!

04/07/2026

Join us in warmly congratulating CMSS fellow Dr. Beau Cleland on being named a W.M. Keck Foundation Fellow at the Huntington Library in San Marino, CA, for 2026–2027.

This prestigious three-month fellowship is a remarkable achievement and a testament to the significance of his research on piracy and non-state violence in the 19th-century Pacific.

We look forward to seeing the impact of this exciting work. Congratulations, Dr. Cleland! 👏👏👏

Address

2500 University Drive NW
Calgary, AB
T2N1N4

Telephone

+14032204052

Website

https://arts.ucalgary.ca/centre-military-security-strategic-studies

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