This symposium welcomes participation from Canada’s allies and international partners, as well as civilian researchers and professionals with an interest in Reserve Force development. This is a collaborative forum that brings together military professionals, academics, and defence stakeholders to explore the evolving role of the Reserve Force in Canada’s defence strategy. Organized by the Government of Canada and Canadian Armed Forces.
About
The annual Canadian Armed Forces Reserve Force Academic Symposium is sponsored by the Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and hosted by the Chief of Reserves. The symposium aims to identify, communicate and consolidate research in areas concerning the development, employment and sustainment of Canada’s reserve forces and reserve capabilities, emphasizing the unique skills and experience that reservists bring due to their employment duality. Although this symposium is primarily aimed at Canadians, Canada's allied countries and partners are welcome.
Theme
The Reserve Force Academic Symposium 2025 will unite researchers across Canada and abroad devoting their efforts and interest related to Reserve Force Readiness through a hybrid conference. The focus will be on mobilisation and total defence, Reserve Force transformation, and future-oriented approaches to Reserve Force development.
Presentation topics
The 2025 Reserve Force Academic Symposium will bring together experts, researchers, and military leaders to share ideas about the future of Canada’s Reserve Forces. Over two days, speakers will explore important topics like how the Reserves train and grow, how they work with Regular Forces, and how they can help Canada respond to emergencies and protect national security. Presentations will also include lessons from other countries, new research findings, and proposals for improving the Reserve Force in the years ahead.
Some exampels from the agenda:
Panel Discussion: Force Generation and Total Force: Quo Vadis
Panel Chair: Irina Goldberg, PhD; Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis, DND
Mobilization for Total Defence: How Can We Get There?
Author: Howard Coombs, PhD; Royal Military College of Canada
The Myth of Force Integration
Author: Patrick Kelly, MSM, Planning Manager, DGMPRA, DND
Canadian Reserve Force Futures 2050
Author: Michael Rostek, PhD, APF; Defence Scientist, DGMPRA, DND
Preparing Society for War: Citizens, Soldiers, and the re-invention of ‘Total Defence’ in Sweden and the Nordics
Author: Joakim Berndtsson, PhD; School of Global Studies, University of Gothenburg
A Closer Look at Reserve Force and Regular Force Integration
Author: Cynthia Wan, PhD; CMP, DND
Reserve Forces: Challenges Across the Deployment Cycle
Author: Kathy Michaud, PhD; DGMPRA, Director Research Operational and Organizational Dynamics
Professional Training: Developing Core Programs That Enable Regular-Reserve Force Integration
Author: Paul Taillon, PhD; Senior Academic Advisor, Samuel Associates
The full program can be found here
