Conference Overview
Canada is entering a pivotal period of defence and national security transformation. As Canada and its NATO allies increase defence and security investments through 2035, the country has an opportunity to strengthen not only military capabilities but also its broader defence ecosystem through strategic investment in emerging technologies, innovation, research, and industrial capacity. Realizing this opportunity will require careful consideration of capability development, procurement, industrial policy, and research commercialization to ensure that increased defence spending strengthens Canada’s technological capacity, economic resilience, and strategic autonomy while supporting the security of Canada and its allies.
The BSIA’s Defence 2035 Symposium in collaboration with the Faculty of Arts at the University of Waterloo, will bring together approximately 60 scholars, policymakers, defence and national security practitioners, industry leaders, and technology experts. This interdisciplinary symposium will examine how Canada can align defence capability development, technological innovation, procurement, industrial strategy, and NATO commitments to build a resilient and future-ready defence architecture.
Call for Papers
Submission Details
Submission Deadline for Abstracts
The deadline for abstracts is 5 October 2026. Successful applicants will be notified mid-October.
Draft papers for symposium circulation and consideration for a special journal issue/edited publication will be due on 9 December 2026.
We welcome submissions from scholars, policymakers, practitioners, industry leaders, and interdisciplinary researchers working across defence, security, governance, innovation, and public policy.
Agenda
Coming soon