International Security Studies Meeting

ISA’s International Security Studies Section Meets in Tucson
Andrea K. Gerlak, Director of Academic Development
December 2006 Newsletter

For the past two decades, the International Security Studies Section (ISSS) of the ISA has offered their members an annual meeting devoted to security issues and international affairs.  This past October 2006, ISSS held their annual section conference in Tucson , Arizona .  This year’s meeting was a partnership between ISSS and the American Political Science Association’s International Security and Arms Control Section, along with the University of Arizona’s School of Public Administration and Policy, its Department of Management Information Systems, and its emerging Eller Security Lab; the US Air Force Academy’s Institute for National Security Studies; and the Tucson Committee on Foreign Relations.  The meeting’s theme, “Security, Globalization, and Mass Society into the Global Information and Terrorism Age,” attracted more than 60 participants from the U.S. and abroad, including a number of representatives of the military and the intelligence community.

An evening reception on the terrace at the beautiful Omni National Golf Resort and Spa in Tucson jumpstarted the conference.  Participants presented papers over two days, Friday, October 27th and Saturday, October 28th.  The $149 advance registration fee included lunch and dinner on Friday. The fascinating lunch keynote speaker was Dr. Albert Bergesen, a nationally known sociologist of social movements who spoke on comparing radical Protestantism of the 1700s with today’s global Jihadist terrorist movement and how the ruling Catholic leaders were as perplexed as the westernized world is today in devising strategies for response.  The lively evening keynote speaker was Congressman (R) Jim Kolbe who intrigued and energized his audience by discussing moderate conservative predications that mistakes made in the past few years may take up to a generation to repair. Congressman Kolbe is retiring and looking to teaching, traveling, and speaking in the next years (hint for you all who want a lively, interesting speaker).

Conference organizer, Dr. Chris Demchak of the University of Arizona’s School of Public Administration and Policy, Political Science Department, and Eller Security Lab, applauds the ISA Headquarters for their absolutely critical assistance with the contracts with hotels and a large number of essential meeting logistics.  Staff at ISA Headquarters established and responsively maintained an electronic registration site for the meeting and closely negotiated the otherwise costly elements of the often confusing contract with the local hotel on behalf of International Security Studies Section. The Section in return vigorously promoted the meeting through their website, in the listserve, in numerous e-mail reminders, and in ISA newsletters.  Demchak credits the personal dedication of the ISA staff (and the judicious use of slowly increasing registration rates), for helping the section to afford such a beautiful resort and attracting many ISSS members who had drifted out of frequent attendance.

ISSS will host their 2007 meeting at the Doubletree Plaza Hotel in Montreal, Canada on October 19 and 20, 2007.  The theme is “Global Security Challenges: When New and Old Issues Intersect,” and the proposal deadline is July 31, 2007.  For additional details, check out the section’s website at http://www.isanet.org/sections/iss/