Call For Papers/Presentations

10th Anniversary Homeland Defense/Security Education Summit

CHDS, in partnership with the Department of Homeland Security Office of Policy and FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate, invites submissions for the 2017 Homeland Defense/Security Education Summit, hosted by George Mason University in Arlington, Virginia on March 23-24.

The theme for the 10th Anniversary Summit is: Overcoming Barriers:Looking at the Next 10 Years of Homeland Security Strategies, Plans, Policies and Education

At this year’s Summit, we look to the next ten years and ask how we, as members of the larger homeland security enterprise, can move beyond established notions of security to develop strategies that address threats more effectively. We also seek to reduce barriers between academics and practitioners of homeland defense and security by offering a forum to challenge the prevailing paradigms and overcome conceptual barriers. The Summit offers the homeland security enterprise a unique opportunity to engage in rich dialogue on the issues we approach from different perspectives. For some, it will offer a new audience for their research and analysis and an opportunity to shape the Department of Homeland Security’s principal strategy document, the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review.For others, it will provide new insight into the issues they work on every day.

This year’s Summit will feature two methods of participation. In the first track, the Summit will feature presentations of general interest to the homeland security enterprise by exploring innovative approaches to addressing homeland security, homeland defense, and related efforts, including education programs in these areas. For consideration in the general interest presentation track, please submit a 150-200 word abstract by December 1.

The second track will feature presentations of original theoretical, methodological, and empirical research as well as applied or policy research relevant to homeland security. Topics include:

  • Countering terrorism, violent extremism, and transnational organized crime;
  • Securing our borders and enforcing immigration laws;
  • Securing legal flows of trade and travel;
  • Protecting critical infrastructure in physical and cyber realms; and
  • Ensuring emergency preparedness and disaster recovery.

We seek all related research including international security and conflict studies, propaganda and the psychology of fear, identity politics, human rights, regional politics (e.g., Canada, Central America), and migration and citizenship studies. We also welcome methods papers in areas such as risk communication or social network analysis.For consideration for the paper presentation track, please submit a 250-300 word abstract and a CV by December 1. Selectees must submit a complete draft of their papers by February 23.

Please submit all proposals with a designated track preference and any questions to Steve Recca, CHDS University & Agency Partnership Initiative Co-Director (). If you are interested in serving as a moderator or paper discussant, please let us know. For more information, please visit