General information

Introduction

The Netherlands Intelligence Studies Association (NISA) is proud to announce their 2023 International Conference on intelligence studies and progress to be held 25-26 October 2023 at the Public Library Amsterdam main building.

The Amsterdam Public Library is the worlds leading library with the most modern information services which has outstanding conference facilities, excellent car park and within easy walking distance from Amsterdam Central Station.

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 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

Amongst the keynote speakers will be:

  • Major General Jan Swillens, Director of the Defence Intelligence & Security Service (MIVD)
    .
  • Dr.Ir. Patricia Damen, Former 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.
  • Dr. Ryan Shaffer, academic & editor of the Handbook of African Intelligence Cultures and the Handbook of Asian Intelligence Cultures.

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?

The conference

Against this background, the NISA is organising a two day conference to bring together academics, (former) practitioners and others such as (semi-)government, NGOs 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.

Papers addressing related topics will be presented, as well as submissions representing individual or joint scholars’ work, research projects, or practical experience in e.g. journalism, (semi-)government.

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