By Christina Lépine – Contributor, SRC Vice-President of Academic Affairs

Earlier this year, on Feb. 11, 2023, I attended the Canadian Undergraduate Security Conference held at the Royal Military College (RMC) in Saint-Jean, and presented research on cybersecurity and the use of surveillance technology in electoral campaigns. I also had the opportunity to listen to many other presenters during four panels taking place throughout that day. 

For this year’s edition, I have been selected alongside Bishop’s political studies student Fabrice Blais-Savoie and other students from the RMC in Saint-Jean and Kingston, to assist in the organization of the second edition of the conference, being held in Kingston on Feb. 10, 2024.

This year’s call for applications has been open since Nov. 9 and closed on Dec. 1, 2023. Undergraduate students from all Canadian universities were encouraged to apply and send a short abstract (250-350 words) to the CUSC selection committee, focused on one of this year’s four topics.

The four topics this year are security and emerging technology, environmental insecurity, sub-state security and conflicts, and gender and conflict. Students have the choice to present their research in French or in English, as all universities are invited to participate.

Once selected, students must prepare a paper that is then submitted to an expert on this topic, which will be annotated for feedback and returned on the day of the conference. Students must also prepare a 10 to 15-minute presentation for the conference. The presentations are spread out in a few panels to address the four topics selected, and scholars and experts in the subjects moderate the panels.

Former presenters who are now part of this year’s organizing team have shared their testimonies on their experience as presenters at the Canadian Undergraduate Security Conference. Officer Cadet Vincent Bélisle, who is a second-year international studies student at RMC Saint-Jean, shared that “participating in the CUSC gave [him] the chance to show [his] research to other people that were interested.”  “These same people were also able to give feedback and help me progress in my academic career. It gave me the opportunity to learn by listening to other participants’ presentations,” he added. Bélisle is now a great addition to the organizing team, and I have the pleasure of working with him amongst others to plan this conference.

If I can describe in a few words my experience as a presenter, it would be to speak loudly about the CUSC. Participating in this event is an excellent first experience as a researcher and helps to define how you will present or approach further research throughout your undergraduate and graduate studies. Many of our students will pursue graduate studies after Bishop’s, which will require researching and presenting their work. Having the opportunity to start early, to make more space and time for improvement during your studies, can be very beneficial. 

Applications closed on Dec. 1, 2023, but a few late abstract submissions may still be considered. Should you want more information on how to send your abstracts, consult the Instagram account @cusc_official, and send in messages.. All applications can be directed at cusckingston@gmail.com.