Axis 9 - Intelligence Studies

Professor supervising the research axis: Dr. Gérald Arboit

Associated researchers: Pr. Xavier Latour (formerly organized crime), Pr. Robert Jervis (formerly cyber), Prof. David Omand (formerly terrorism), Dr. Laurent Buchon (formerly innovation dynamics), The Hon. Michael Chertoff (formerly terrorism), Dr. Joel Brenner, Christian Nigel Inkster, Yoko Nitta; Dr. James Andrew Lewis, Marcus Willett (all formerly cyber)

Intelligence studies are consubstantial with the existence of intelligence services in many Western democracies. The aim of the "Intelligence Studies" research program of the Security and Defence Research Team - Intelligence, Criminality, Crisis, Cyberthreats (SDRT-I3C) is to participate in these debates at the national and European levels, while relating to the British model. In addition to dedicated teaching, it will conduct research around three projects, entitled "Intelligence governance", "The internationalization of intelligence methods" and "Non-state actors and intelligence since the 19th century", in a multidisciplinary manner and in liaison with the management and political sciences, international relations and contemporary history present within the team. It also intends to establish relations with the academic community of intelligence in Europe, including Great Britain, by creating a journal, La Revue de recherche sur le renseignement. Published twice a year, in French, online and with a Digital Object Identifier, its first issue will be launched in the first half of 2022.

Research Project: Intelligence Governance

➢ How to evaluate intelligence reforms?

➢ What is an intelligence community?

➢ How to effectively control intelligence in a democratic system?

Research project: The internationalization of intelligence methods

➢ Can we talk about standardization of intelligence? Can we define a typology and cultural areas in the formation and collaboration of services?

➢ Is intelligence the result of a clandestine practice in networks or simply the handling of secrecy?

➢ How can we deconstruct intelligence from a cultural history perspective in order to reveal its human reality?

Research project: non-state actors and intelligence since the 19th century

➢ How are non-state actors determined in relation to foreign intelligence services and clandestine action? 

➢ How do non-state actors use or are used by intelligence services? 

➢ To what extent can unseen actions be considered as participating in intelligence activities?