Call for Papers & Presentations: NISA Conference 2023 | Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association

Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association

Call for Papers & Presentations

NISA Conference 2023

25-26 October 2023
OBA Oosterdok (Public Library), Amsterdam (NL)

Innovation & Adaptation of
Intelligence & Security Services

Summary

The Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association (NISA) aims to bring together academics, (former) practitioners and others who take an interest in intelligence and security. The NISA Conference 2023 program includes a broad variety of disciplines and topics. The main themes are geopolitics, intelligence culture and digital transformation of intelligence and security services. Around these themes the conference will be organised with plenary sessions, papers, panels, workshops, breakout tracks and roundtables.

Keynote speakers include:

Major General Jan Swillens, Director of the Defence Intelligence & Security Service (MIVD).
Dr.Ir. Patricia Damen, Head of the Joint Sigint Cyber Unit (JSCU) of AIVD & MIVD.
Dr. Mark Galeotti, Political scientist, expert on Russian security affairs, honorary professor at UCL SSEES and director of Mayak Intelligence.

The conference accepts submissions for papers, panels, lectures and workshops, also including a specific PhD track. Both research papers (max. 8000 words) and practitioner papers (max. 1500 words) are accepted. Submission deadlines: 1 April 2023 for proposals, 31 August 2023 for papers or workshop materials.

Background

Societies are facing changing threat landscapes due to geopolitical shifts, climate change, the long (economical) tail of COVID-19, the invasion of Ukraine, the ongoing digital transformation, and other wicked problems such as the spread of mis- and disinformation.

While the world economy at large remains globalised, established powers seem increasingly competitive in protecting and expanding trade interests as well as ideological influence spheres domestically and abroad. Is the world heading for a new Cold War? Or are we already there? What can academic perspectives teach us to help better understand the present and future, supporting policy-makers in making rational decisions in tense political climates?

Meanwhile over the past years an incredible and still increasing amount of data has become publicly available, ranging from crystal clear satellite imagery to social media data on emerging trends, public sentiment, to real-time geolocation data. Perhaps more than ever before, OSINT gained a solid place in the intelligence tradecraft toolbox, while this toolbox also is being filled with new techniques such as AI. What implications does this have for the intelligence and security services? What lessons can be learned from history and what challenges lie ahead?

Conference

Against this background, the NISA is organising a two day conference to bring together academics, (former) practitioners and others such as (semi-)government, NGO's and private sector who take an interest in intelligence and security in a program that includes a variety of disciplines and topics.

The conference will take place on 25 and 26 October 2023 at the OBA Oosterdok (Public Library) in Amsterdam, The Netherlands. The main themes are geopolitics, intelligence culture and digital transformation of intelligence services. Around these themes the conference will be organised with plenary sessions, papers, panels, workshops and roundtables.

NISA invites (former) practitioners, academics and other interested parties to submit abstracts for papers, presentations, lectures, panels, workshops and roundtables. Presenting a paper is not obligatory, speakers without a full paper are also invited.

Abstracts should address the topics listed above, but consideration will be given to papers addressing related topics. Submissions representing individual or joint scholars’ work, research projects, or practical experience in e.g. journalism, (semi-)government or the private sector are invited.

A specific PhD track is envisaged in which, in addition to the subject of the research, attention will also be given to the methodology of doing research on intelligence.

Submissions

The following proposals are welcomed from academics, practitioners, and others who seek to contribute to the conference:

Abstract for a paper: 300-400 words.
Abstract for a presentation (without paper): 300-400 words.
Abstract for a full panel of 3-4 papers: 500 words of the panel and papers included. Please include a chair and discussant (can be the same person) in the proposal.
Abstract for a workshop/practical session with exercise/scenario presentation: 300-400 words.

Please send your proposal as one pdf document to conf2023@nisa-intelligence.nl and include:

Title
Author(s)
Type of submission: paper, presentation, panel or workshop
Brief resume/CV (one page)
- For PhD students: include the name of your supervisor(s)
Contact details: email address and phone number.

Conference proceedings will be made available. Presenters are encouraged to submit practitioner papers (max. 1500 words) or research papers (max. 8000 words) to be published in the conference proceedings. This is not a requirement however for being invited as a presenter. Full requirements for the papers for publication will be announced in the acceptance email.