Academic-Practitioner Divide in Intelligence Studies - (Security and Professional Intelligence Education) (Paperback)

About the Book

The profession of intelligence and those delivering intelligence education share a common aim of developing intelligence as a discipline. However, this shared interest must also navigate the existence of an academic-practitioner divide. This book provides a range of internatio...

Book Synopsis

Internationally, the profession of intelligence continues to develop and expand. So too does the academic field of intelligence, both in terms of intelligence as a focus for academic research and in terms of the delivery of university courses in intelligence and related areas. To a significant extent both the profession of intelligence and those delivering intelligence education share a common aim of developing intelligence as a discipline. However, this shared interest must also navigate the existence of an academic-practitioner divide. Such a divide is far from unique to intelligence - it exists in various forms across most professions - but it is distinctive in the field of intelligence because of the centrality of secrecy to the profession of intelligence and the way in which this constitutes a barrier to understanding and openly teaching about aspects of intelligence. How can co-operation in developing the profession and academic study be maximized when faced with this divide? How can and should this divide be navigated? The Academic-Practitioner Divide in Intelligence provides a range of international approaches to, and perspectives on, these crucial questions.

Review Quotes

"This finely crafted volume explores ongoing efforts to bridge the gap between intelligence professionals and academics. Reflecting the contributors' diverse careers and national perspectives, these essays offer novel ways to improve intelligence research, teaching, and practice. The volume identifies new opportunities for collaboration, while showcasing some of today's most innovative thinkers in the field of intelligence studies." --James J. Wirtz, U.S. Naval Postgraduate School

"The Academic-Practitioner Divide in Intelligence Studies, which displays a rich assortment of global academic and practitioner perspectives, confers the most comprehensive examination of the complexity surrounding the paradoxical--divergent while also symbiotic--relationship between professionals and scholars of intelligence, in their quest to develop intelligence as an academic discipline." --Florina Cristiana Matei, Naval Postgraduate School

"The editors and authors have produced a unique and timely contribution. As the security environment becomes increasingly complex, bridging the academic-practitioner divide is becoming more necessary. This excellent volume skillfully identifies where the red lines and challenges are yet usefully shows how both academics and practitioners can work closer together to progress teaching and research excellence in the intelligence field." --Patrick F. Walsh, Charles Sturt University, Editor, Australian Institute of Professional Intelligence Officers Journal, author of Intelligence and Intelligence Analysis

"Those who know don't speak; those who speak don't know.' Practitioners' traditional view of academic researchers is challenged by this diverse collection on comparative developments in Intelligence Studies. It shows how productive relationships can be enhanced while acknowledging correctly that the gap neither can nor should be eliminated entirely." --Peter Gill, International Studies Association Distinguished Scholar

About the Author

Mark Phythian is professor of Politics in the School of History, Politics & International Relations at the University of Leicester. He is the author or editor of some fifteen books on intelligence and security topics, as well as numerous journal articles and book chapters. He is the co-editor of Intelligence and National Security, one of the editors of the Georgetown Studies in the History of Intelligence book series, and a Fellow of the UK Academy of Social Sciences.

Rubén Arcos is a senior lecturer in communication sciences at the University Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, Spain. He is program co-chair of the Intelligence Studies Section at the International Studies Association. Arcos is a researcher in the project EU-HYBNET - Empowering a Pan-European Network to Counter Hybrid Threats. He is co-editor of the two volumes of The Art of Intelligence: Simulations, Exercises, and Games. He serves in the editorial advisory board of the International Journal of Intelligence and Counterintelligence.

Nicole K. Drumhiller serves as the Associate Dean for the School of Security and Global Studies at the American Public University System. Her published works cover topics such as intelligence, security studies, and political psychology. She serves on the editorial advisory board of the Global Security and Intelligence Studies journal.