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Our Goal

The Research Network on Women, Peace and Security (RN-WPS) mobilizes international and Canadian-based expertise on issues related to the WPS agenda, and more broadly, the intersections of militarism, (in)security, settler-colonialism, gender, race, sexuality, age and ability. We facilitate knowledge exchange and research dissemination among scholars, policy makers, civil society and general public audiences. The RN-WPS will work to transform the WPS agenda by advancing a critical and intersectional feminist approach to peace and security.

Our Three Pillars

Women, Peace and Security (WPS) as a Resource for Addressing Current Global Challenges

The RN-WPS will explore how to connect the commitments associated with the WPS agenda to current global and policy problems.

Future-Proofing the WPS Agenda

The RN-WPS will investigate how the principles of the WPS agenda can contribute to forward planning, anticipating, and addressing future defence priorities. It will also outline ways to ensure that DND/CAF remains guided by WPS commitments while developing policies related to emerging challenges.

Developing the Next Generation of WPS Experts

The RN-WPS will foster opportunities for training, mentorship, and professional development for early career researchers and practitioners in the field of WPS.

Our Objectives

Knowledge Generation

Innovate knowledge generation and support new research on pressing global issues that challenge and reimagine the WPS agenda.

Communities of Practice

Create transformative ‘communities of practice’ for a) emerging and established scholars and, b) DND policy makers, opening collaborative spaces that center relationships, reciprocity, and care in order to engage in and deepen our thinking on RN-WPS thematic areas.

Training

Foster the next generation of experts and critical feminist scholars on WPS.

Knowledge Exchange

Support knowledge exchange between scholars, policy-makers, and civil society organizations and community groups.

Our Activities

    • Annual Symposiums: bringing together academic, policy, civil society and community based groups for in-person discussion of new and emerging challenges areas in WPS.

    • Ideas Labs: supporting student training and knowledge generation in WPS.

    • Communities of Feminist Practice: offering space for knowledge, thinking and practice exchanges on feminism, peace, security through small in-person exchanges

    • Francophone Forums: to support research and knowledge mobilization among Francophone communities.

    • Visiting Fellows on WPS: to advance new research and practice on WPS.

    • Pedagogy and Training: designing and sharing new training resources for students and practitioners.

    • Innovative Research: through the leadership of the Network’s Research Leads, we will advance new knowledge in the RN-WPS strategic challenge areas.

    • Communities of Practice: facilitating learning opportunities among MA and PhD students

    • Student training and skills development: supporting emerging scholars and practitioners through research and practical work opportunities.

    • Youth and ECR Engagement: deliberate strategies to include and centre the voices of youth and ECRs in all activities.

    • Building International Relationships: collaborating and co-designing research and training activities with other WPS Centres and Networks in all regions of the world.

    • Creating Communities of Practice within DND and CAF regarding thematic areas and challenges of RN-WPS

    • Annual Policy Roundtable to share findings of RN-WPS research

    • Policy Dialogues and Policy Briefs for enhanced engagement and knowledge sharing with DND and CAF