About the Program

The Defence and Foreign Policy Program is dedicated to examining Canada’s strategic positioning in an increasingly uncertain and competitive global landscape. It aims to cultivate connections among government, academia, industry, and the nonprofit sector.

The Program produces the PIF Papers series, featuring insights from prominent experts on diplomacy, defence, and development. Additionally, it organizes conferences to unite diverse sectors and viewpoints in addressing the challenges of the present and future.

Research Policy Team

Philippe Lagassé

Director of Defence Research

Dr. Philippe Lagassé is Associate Professor and Barton Chair at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs. His research interests include Canadian defence policy and procurement, Canadian defence governance and civil-military relations, and Canada-United States defence relations. His current research projects examine executive power and legislative-executive relations in Westminster states, with a particular focus on foreign and defence affairs. Lagassé has published widely in high-ranking academic journals and is the co-editor of Canadian Defence Policy in Theory and Practice, Volumes 1 & 2.

In addition to his academic work, Dr. Lagassé served as a member of the Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition (2015-2022) and as a member of the Independent Review Panel for the evaluation of options for the replacement of the CF-18 fighter aircraft (2012-2014)

Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé

Director of Foreign Policy Research

Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé Ph.D. serves as Director of the Foreign Policy Research and Board Advisory Member of the Policy Insights Forum. She is also a Full Professor at Bishop’s University, a Senior Non-Resident Fellow at the International Peace Institute, and an associate faculty member of the Center for International Peace and Security Studies (CIPSS) and the Montreal Center for International Studies (CERIUM).

Dr. Martin-Brûlé’s research focuses on peacekeeping-intelligence, peace operations, and security issues related to intra-state wars. She has conducted fieldwork at the MINUSCA (Central African Republic), MINUSMA (Mali), MONUSCO (Democratic Republic of Congo), UNOCI (Côte d’Ivoire) and UNMISS (South Sudan). Since 2020, she has co-hosted “Conseils de sécurité”, the first Canadian podcast in French on defence and security issues, a co-production of the CDSN-RCDS and RAS-NSA.

Publish Your Work

The PIF Papers publish innovative research in the fields of foreign policy, national defence, international development, and intelligence. This series allows industry representatives, academics, and public officials to share innovative ideas and research across Canada and the world. Featuring both established and emerging thought leaders, the PIF Papers aim to bridge gaps and foster greater understanding across the public and private sectors. All PIF Papers are peer reviewed and reflect the authors’ views alone.
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The PIF Papers series published two types of manuscripts: Policy Papers and Policy Briefs.
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Policy Papers are comprehensive research studies consisting of 7,000 words or more. Policy Briefs are concise analyses and commentaries ranging from 2,000 to 7,000 words. PIF Papers will be published on a quarterly basis; however, submissions are welcome at any time. Pieces of a timely nature may be published more frequently and expediently.

Submissions in English should be directed to Philippe Lagassé, while those in French should be sent to Sarah-Myriam Martin-Brûlé.