IMSISS Student Ilenia Attends NEA Global Forum at MIT
Last month, IMSISS student Ilenia Bruseghello represented the University of Glasgow, as well as the IMSISS programme, at the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology and Policy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) on September 20th and 21st September 2023. Ilenia shared her thoughts on this great opportunity below – well done Ilenia!
“I was truly honoured to represent the University of Glasgow and the IMSISS programme at the NEA Global Forum on Nuclear Education, Science, Technology, and Policy held at MIT. This experience provided a remarkable platform to showcase my research on mitigating non-proliferation risks associated with nuclear energy in space exploration. The forum’s expert panel discussions broadened my horizons, offering valuable insights and perspectives on nuclear policy and technology. Meeting and networking with inspiring women in this field reaffirmed my passion and commitment to contributing to the advancement of nuclear science, policy and technology. I am deeply grateful for the support and encouragement I received from my mentors and peers, this opportunity has not only expanded my knowledge but also reinforced my determination to make a positive impact in this critical domain.”
IMSISS Student Moreblessing Attends ACU Summer School at Stellenbosch University
Attending the Association of Commonwealth Universities summer school hosted by Stellenbosch University in South Africa from the 2nd to the 10th of July under the theme “Truth and Reconciliation: From Apartheid to Transitional Justice” was an eye-opening and transformative experience.
Throughout the program, I had the privilege of engaging with brilliant minds from diverse backgrounds, all united by a common passion for truth and reconciliation. The sessions were thoughtfully curated, offering a deep exploration of South Africa’s complex history and its journey towards healing after the dark era of apartheid.
The lectures and discussions were intellectually stimulating, allowing us to critically analyse the challenges and triumphs of the truth and reconciliation process. Learning about the courageous efforts made by individuals and communities to confront their painful pasts and seek understanding was both inspiring and humbling.
Beyond the academic aspect, the summer school facilitated rich cultural exchanges. Interacting with fellow participants from different parts of the Commonwealth brought a global perspective to the topic, enriching our discussions and fostering lasting friendships.
The experiential learning opportunities were thoughtfully integrated into the program. Visits to historical sites and conversations with local activists and survivors further deepened our understanding of the impact of apartheid and the ongoing efforts towards reconciliation in South Africa.
As a participant, I left the summer school with a profound sense of appreciation for the power of truth and reconciliation in healing societies and fostering unity. The lessons learned will undoubtedly influence my future academic pursuits and personal endeavours, empowering me to become a more informed and compassionate global citizen.
Many thanks to Dr Timothy Peacock for helping me with a reference which I believe was the cornerstone for my successful application, I am forever grateful. I am immensely grateful to the Association of Commonwealth Universities and Stellenbosch University for organizing such a remarkable program and providing us with an unforgettable experience that will continue to resonate with me for years to come.
Moreblessing Takura Madzikatire
IMSISS Students Ilenia and Mariavittoria Attend Future Leaders' Global Policy Forum
In May this year, IMSISS students Ilenia Bruseghello and Mariavittoria Maggi were selected as fellows to attend the prestigious third edition of the Future Leaders’ Global Policy Forum (GPF). Co-hosted by ISPI, Bocconi University, and OECD, in collaboration with Think7 Japan, this forum stands as a prominent international platform for engaging in critical discussions on pressing global issues and challenges that lie ahead. Ilenia and Mariavittoria were also awarded scholarships, enabling them to fully participate in the event.
The 2023 edition of the Future Leaders’ GPF was held in Milan on May 22-23. It brought together 500 Future Leaders from G20 countries and beyond, aged between 20 and 35 years old. These young leaders actively participated in GPF panels and attended tailor-made closed-door events. The forum covered a wide range of global issues, including the ramifications of the Ukraine war and other security crises, the transition towards achieving net zero emissions, the challenges of high prices and low growth, and the processes of digitalization, development, and social inclusion.
For Ilenia and Mariavittoria, attending the Future Leaders’ GPF provided them with invaluable insights into current security crises and pressing global challenges. They had the opportunity to explore potential future trends and developments and network with experienced academics, professionals, and fellow participants.
DCU Students Attend EuroSim in Wales
Last month, IMSISS students Karolin Vanessa Rippich and Coraline Patars represented IMSISS and Dublin City University (DCU) at 2023’s EuroSim taking place in Newport, Wales. Read below to hear about their experience.
“It was a great honour to represent IMSISS and Dublin City University (DCU) at 2023’s EuroSim taking place in Newport, Wales, in my role as Ireland’s Minister for the Environment, Climate, Communications and Transport, Eamon Ryan.
Negotiating regulations to cushion the emerging burdens of increased EU climate action on vulnerable households across Europe as part of the “amending” of the legislative proposal for the European Social Climate Fund was a challenging yet educational endeavour.
As someone not coming from a political science or international relations background, participating in one of the world’s largest simulations of decision-making processes in the European Union was particularly insightful. Not only did I improve my knowledge of the inner workings of the EU but got to (partially) experience and shape them myself.
I also very much enjoyed the opportunity to not only gain hands-on experience in terms of the preparatory nature of such conferences and official meetings but also the diplomatic tools required to make things happen. Apart from enhancing our oral communication skills through debate, negotiation, and compromise with other participants, we also had the chance to practice our research and organisational skills.
Engaging with numerous talented people from around the world was particularly interesting when discussing EU political and climate issues. Our diverse cultural and academic backgrounds unquestionably expanded the scope of our debates and had us look at the issues at hand from different perspectives. Getting to know Wales and being introduced to Welsh history and culture as a part of this experience was equally enriching.
Thus, I would, once again, like to extend my gratitude to the team at DCU for inviting/enabling us to participate in this year’s EuroSim.”
Karolin Vanessa Rippich
“In January I had the privilege to participate and contribute to the Wales EuroSim 2023 event as a representative of the Dublin City University. Bringing together over two hundred students from Europe and North America, this annual European Union simulation is a unique opportunity to step into the shoes of a decision-maker.
In my role as Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar, I negotiated within a simulated European Council. It was fun, sometimes stressful as you want to engage and be prepared but, honestly, a great experience. The key topics of this year’s negotiation were energy security, financing, affordability of domestic sourcing and foreign policy coordination. We had insightful discussions on specific policies such as the REPowerEU Plan and the European Green Deal.
Beyond strengthening my knowledge of international law and the EU decision-making process, participating in this conference allowed me to enhance several soft skills such as cooperating, debating, speaking in public and problem solving. EuroSim was also a great opportunity to get to know students from across the world, with very diverse educational and cultural backgrounds.
I want to thank the University of South Wales for welcoming and introducing us to the history and culture of their country, as well as the Dublin City University for giving me this amazing opportunity. It was nice to be part of such an international, passionate and ambitious group of students. If asked: “Would you do it again?” – the answer is definitely YES.”
Coraline Patars
2020-2022 Cohort Graduation Ceilidh
At the end of November the 2020-2022 IMSISS Graduates had a ceilidh to celebrate their achievements a day after their graduation ceremony. It was great to have so many of them here in Glasgow to celebrate. Ceilidhs are traditional Scottish social gatherings that involve dancing and Gaelic folk music and a great time was had by all of us.
You should all be so proud of your achievements, particularly the resilience you all displayed in completing your studies and supporting each other through a pandemic.
Congratulations again to every one of you on this wonderful achievement and we wish you all the very best in whatever you do next.
We’d like to thank Jack Donaghy Photography for the excellent photos from the night. You can view all the photos below.
Click to watch our video from the night
Summer University in Regensburg
A Summer University on “Strategic Intelligence Analysis” took place at Ostbayerische Technische Hochschule (OTH) Regensburg from 6th August to 17th August 2018. Fourteen students of the Erasmus Mundus international master’s degree in “Security, Intelligence & Strategic Studies" from the University of Glasgow, Dublin City University and the Charles University of Prague worked on processes and methods in the field of security and strategic intelligence analysis studies. The Summer University course was organized by the Faculty of General Sciences and Microsystems Engineering, as well as the Center for Further Education and Knowledge Management (ZWW) of OTH Regensburg.
The students were guided and advised by subject matter experts coming from both the academic and professional environment related to strategic intelligence analysis. Thus, the students were taught by professors from OTH Regensburg as well as lecturers coming from the intelligence field. Prof. Dr. Markus Bresinsky coordinated the course and provided the students further lectures about Big Data Analysis and Data Mining. The professional expertise concerning Strategic Intelligence Analytical Techniques and Tactical Intelligence Analysis was provided by Lt. Colonel Georg Fuchs of the Bundeswehr.
The Summer University programme mainly focused on the development of critical thinking, teaching structured intelligence analysis techniques such as: Decomposition & Visualisation; Idea and Hypothesis Generation; Indicators and Scenarios Development and Assessment of Cause and Effect. Moreover, the students were trained to constantly challenge their own analysis employing the processes of “red teaming” and “devil’s advocate”. Besides the more theoretical classes providing practical intelligence competence the programme led the students to concentrate their work in depth subject matter expertise on the MENA region. Thus, the students were asked to divide in two groups and to produce a strategic intelligence analysis on the Syrian and Libyan crisis. They applied the processes and methods learnt during the front lectures to develop 5 years strategic forecast scenarios for the countries assigned. At the end of the project, the students delivered an intelligence report describing their findings and presenting them in front of a commission for evaluation. In addition, the students were trained to use specific software and tools that helped them in the processes of intelligence collection, analysis and scenarios development.
A visit to MEIA's The Middle East and International Affairs Research Group the 11th August gave students the opportunity to discuss their findings with field experts of the MENA Region. During the workshop, provided by the organization, the students presented the findings derived from their researches on the countries Iraq, Syria and Libya and undertook intense discussions with the MEIA’s experts. It was an important opportunity for the student to interact with field experts and assess the validity of the analysis presented during the workshop.
The Summer School programme also included a cultural excursion to the Gäubodenfest in Straubing, an important Bavarian festival that takes place every August. The excursion gave the students the opportunity to interact with the Bavarian culture and to socialize with some other students of OTH Regensburg.
IMSISS Students Launch New Virtual Think Tank
IMSISS students have spent the summer developing their own virtual Think Tank to complement and showcase their learning on the degree programme. The new Think Tank has been named The Security Distillery and is intended to be an initiative from young researchers for (young) researchers. The students work collectively to commission, write, peer review and edit the articles that are published on the Think Tank's website.
"WE AIM TO TURN COMPLEX ISSUES INTO SIMPLE MATTERS IN ORDER TO PROVIDE QUALITY, ACCESSIBLE INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND RESEARCHERS".
The Security Distillery will be open to new students joining the programme in September 2018 and it is hoped that students from the different intakes will work together to further the initiative and build a dynamic, engaging and thought provoking contribution in the online security studies sector. As the students comment on the website "We aim to turn complex issues into simple matters in order to provide quality, accessible information for students and researchers". They go on to say, "In the dynamic field of security studies, we intend to distill the essence of complicated issues into digestible amounts of comprehensible information, without oversimplifying or losing nuance. Our content is structured regionally and thematically, ranging from cyber security to terrorism, and from Asian to Central American politics".
The Security Distillery is entirely independently edited by the students on the IMSISS programme and over the coming months the IMSISS programme hopes to support the students to showcase some of the research analysis and commentary at special events in Glasgow, Dublin and Prague, as well as via the IMSISS social media channels. The first articles published cover a range of thematic areas, including 'Drone Warfare', 'European Energy Security', 'the US Intelligence Community', and the 'Role and Security implications of Big Data in the modern world'. More articles and analysis will be published in the coming weeks and months.
You can view The Security Distillery website by visiting https://securitydistillery.org
The Security Distillery can also be found on facebook and twitter.
You can contact the Security Distillery's editorial team at Contact Us — The Security Distillery