Crossing the Pond: A Scot’s experience at the CIDP
By Benjamin Hawkin, Former Visiting Research Fellow at the CIDP

Coming from an International Erasmus Master’s programme which involved study in three different countries, the opportunity to come to Canada as a Visiting Researcher at the Centre for International and Defence Policy (CIDP) for the summer and continue developing my international experiences was a chance that I was excited for. Erasmus programmes focus heavily on the benefits of cross-cultural engagement and international travel; as such crossing the Atlantic to do a work placement well-suited my goals. The organizing institution of my programme, the University of Glasgow, focusses heavily on international engagement and collaboration as well. Moreover, my programme, the International Master in Security, Intelligence and Strategic Studies (IMSISS), is made up of 40 students from 28 different nationalities and has a strong emphasis on cultural learning and developing a global citizenship.
My first week at the CIDP was spent attending the Kingston Conference on International Security (KCIS).[1] This was a rewarding experience, as I was able to meet with leading security experts, both military and civilian, from North America and discuss topical issues. The KCIS is organised each year collaboratively by the CIDP, NATO, the Canadian Armed Forces, and the US Army, bringing together policy experts and practitioners in a unique environment for three days. This presented a unique opportunity to meet new and interesting people, but also a challenge for myself in coming out of my shell and speaking with leading military officials from the US and Canada, which I found daunting at first.
The theme of KCIS 2019, “A Changing World Order,” was very relevant to my IMSISS studies and to my personal interest. I particularly enjoyed the opportunity to ask Dr Carol Evans of the US Army War College about the Sino-Russian relationship in the polar North, and how changing Arctic geopolitics are affecting their bi-lateral relations. This brought together one of my modules at Dublin City University, when I wrote my term paper on the Moscow-Beijing axis and their energy security relations, and my master’s thesis, looking at the evolution of Arctic security — heavily impacted by Russian energy interests. To hear opinions from a leading expert on this topic was a very rewarding and intellectually stimulating one.
Completing my thesis at the CIDP presented me with an excellent support network for research as well as an office at the Centre. Having met regional policy and practitioner experts at the KCIS during my first week in Canada, I was confident in the quality of guidance I would receive. I discussed my initial findings with the Centre’s Director, Dr Kim Nossal, during my first few days at the CIDP. This discussion proved fruitful and I found it reinvigorating — albeit daunting — to discuss my thesis with someone so knowledgeable on my topic. The research base at the CIDP, in addition to the resources available at Queen’s University, allowed me to develop to focus, and delve into my master’s research with a solid support network.
Not only has my time in Canada improved my research capabilities and professional network abilities, I have been provided a platform through which to publish and promote several pieces of my work from this summer. The encouraging, driven, and motivated environment at the CIDP has allowed me to expand my work placement output. I am excited to release two Policy Briefs and two blog posts for the newly re-vamped Contact Report through the Centre. These publication and mentorship opportunities have allowed me to get the most out of my time in Canada before returning home.
Something that stuck out to me this summer was the sense of community at Queen’s and the wider Kingston community. From playing softball in a city league every week with the philosophy department and School of Political Studies, to dogsitting four different dogs in seven weeks and making countless new friends while exploring Ontario, I have gained a lot on a personal level this summer. I have discovered some of Queen’s University’s wackier traditions. I thoroughly enjoyed the semesterly ‘Queen’s Players’ event, a musical-comedy-play mashup in which the actors are provided with drinks from the audience, making for a great time! And how could I forget the hours playing the game ‘Spikeball’ that has taken North America by storm, whilst getting more and more sunburnt by Lake Ontario?
I would strongly recommend for prospective MA/PhD students to connect with the Kingston IR community; the ease of moving in and settling, feeling like a local within a few weeks, and the general sense of being welcomed made this process very smooth and enjoyable. This is not to mention the highest calibre of academic and professional engagement available in the area.
Upcoming publications:
- Policy Brief: Canada’s changing Arctic defence policy. Based on my master’s research, this brief will provide an overview of Canadian defence posture towards the region over the last 10 years and demonstrate that Canada is slowly (but cautiously) warming towards collaborating with allies in the Arctic. Out now!
- Blog post: Indigenous rights and Canadian state sovereignty. Discussing how Canadian governments have used indigenous groups to promote Canadian state exclusivity in the Arctic whilst systematically oppressing and under-representing these groups. Out now!
[1] Read Contact Report Keynote Recap from KCIS 2019!

