Students from the Department of Security Studies and Criminology recently had the opportunity to attend a 10-day study tour at the University of Maryland, exploring a range of cutting-edge facilities, leading US agencies and organisations as well as attending classroom discussions and lectures relating to terrorism, intelligence, national security and policy.
20 students, accompanied by Professor James Ramsay (Head of the Department of Security Studies and Criminology) and Mr Fred Smith (Adjunct Fellow within the Department of Security Studies and Criminology and Director of NSW Police Training), travelled to Maryland and took part in an extensive and unparalleled program of events which included trips to The Capitol, The Pentagon, the FBI, the US Naval Academy, the Australian Embassy and the historic Gettysburg Battlefield. Students also attended lectures by admirals, generals and leading scholars and intelligence analysts on topics such as the rapidly evolving security environment, lessons learned in intelligence and critical thinking in intelligence analysis as well as current and emerging threats.
The annual study tour is a result of a decade-long relationship with the University of Maryland and their START Centre (National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism).
“This experience has expanded my international knowledgebase, providing access to the US national security community in a way not accessible to students in Australia,” said Abbey Mason, Master of Counter Terrorism and Master of Intelligence.
“As someone who has had experience in the field, I had no idea how much the exposure to outstanding individuals and organisations would expand my perspectives on what I’ve studied and experienced,” said Clare McCarthy, Master of Cyber Security Analysis and Master of Intelligence
“Students would never have access to the people or places that have been organised for them during this trip. It provided them with unrivalled exposure to state-of-the-art analysis and perspectives on intelligence, security and policy. The networking and relationship building opportunities were profound,” said Professor James Ramsay, Head of the Department of Security Studies and Criminology.
