We are pleased to announce the launch of the 11th edition of the annual Summer School “Security and Society in the Information Age”. This unique program, jointly organized by Civitas University in Warsaw and SRAS (USA), combines a rigorous four-week academic course on Central Europe and security issues with a two-week research internship at the Terrorism Research Center.
This year, we are delighted to host 19 outstanding students from leading U.S. universities, including: University of California, Berkeley; Rochester Institute of Technology; St. Olaf College; Wheaton College; Texas A&M University; University of Wisconsin–Madison; Stetson University; Iowa State University; University of Kentucky; East Carolina University; Oberlin College; Northern Arizona University; The Pennsylvania State University; Texas A&M University–Corpus Christi; Georgetown University; Michigan State University; and The University of Texas at Austin.
Our program offers a distinctive opportunity to explore global security challenges through the historical, political, and cultural lens of Central Europe. This year’s curriculum focuses on new and emerging threats, including the regional and global consequences of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, as well as the broader interconnectedness of international conflicts, with special attention to developments in the Middle East.
Students will engage deeply with critical topics such as terrorism and counterterrorism strategies, state sponsorship of terrorism, radicalization and prevention, public diplomacy, private military companies, international humanitarian law, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction, hybrid threats and disinformation, cybersecurity, and energy security.
The academic experience is further enriched by study visits to institutions such as the Warsaw Rising Museum and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, alongside a field study tour to Berlin, providing vital historical context to today’s security landscape.
A highlight of the program is the two-week research internship at the Terrorism Research Center, where students will conduct intensive, mentor-guided research under the supervision of Dr. Paulina Piasecka, Dr. Vanessa Tinker, Dr. Monika Nowicka, and Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska. Their work will contribute to Volume 8 of the academic journal “Security and Society in the Information Age”, to be published in fall 2025.
“Transatlantic cooperation in the field of education is not only valuable – it is essential. Programs like this foster mutual understanding, encourage critical dialogue, and prepare the next generation of global leaders to address the complex security challenges we all face. We are proud to be a part of this international effort,” – said Dr. Katarzyna Maniszewska, Vice-Rector for International Relations at Civitas University and Director of the Summer School.
We are honored to welcome this year’s participants and look forward to the ideas, connections, and insights that will emerge over the coming weeks. Together, we continue building a more informed, resilient, and collaborative transatlantic community.
Learn more: https://securityandsociety.org