Third round of successful Kanishka Project research proposals

The Kanishka Project Contribution Program is a multi-year investment in terrorism-focused research funded by the Government of Canada. On June 23, 2011, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced the Kanishka Project, an initiative named after the Air India Flight 182 plane that was bombed on June 23, 1985, killing 329 people, most of them Canadians. This initiative invests in research on pressing questions for Canada on terrorism and counter-terrorism. Research supported by the project will increase our understanding of the recruitment methods and tactics of terrorists, which will help produce more effective policies, tools and resources for law enforcement and people on the front lines.

The project's primary focus is on research, but it also supports other activities necessary to build knowledge and create a network of researchers and students that spans disciplines and universities. The research funded by the project will improve Canada's ability to counter terrorism and violent extremism at home and abroad.

Funding in the amount of $1.7 million has been awarded in this third round for the following projects. Projects announced on May 30, 2012 and February 28, 2013 for the first and second rounds included total funding in the amount of over $2.0 million. The fourth call for proposals closed on April 15, 2013, and is currently being assessed. The call for proposals for the fifth round of funding will be announced at a future date.

The dynamics of resilience: Which practices counter a turn to violence?
(University of British Columbia – Michelle LeBaron, lead researcher)

This project will investigate factors that could escalate extremism and practices that foster resilience in the Punjabi Canadian community in British Columbia and draw policy conclusions that support efforts to counter radicalization. The Department will contribute up to $195,313 over three years.

Spectral Sentinel: Advanced analytics for situational awareness and early warning of violent extremism
(The SecDev Group – Rafal Rohozinski, lead researcher, Arnav Manchanda, lead contact)

This project aims to understand the process of radicalization through social media and other sources. The Department will contribute up to $231,150 over one year.

Airport security: Design, governance, performance, financing and policy
(Wilfrid Laurier University – William G. Morrison, lead researcher)

This project will consider airport security, governance and management. The Department will contribute up to $107,962 over two years.

Strengthening Canada's interfaith organizations and networks to foster resilience, public safety and counter-terrorism
(Dr. Scott Daniel Dunbar, lead researcher)

This project will map leadership centres and organizational linkages among Canadian interfaith communities in an effort to promote healthy interreligious relations and build resilience against terrorism. The Department will contribute up to $268,000 over three years.

Canada's experience in and response to lone actor terrorism
(Royal United Services Institute – Charlie Edwards, lead researcher)

This project analyzes the characteristics of lone actor attacks and analyzes best practices in responding to them. The Department will contribute up to $137,240 over one year.

Bridging the gap: The role of the private sector in counter-terrorism
(Conference Board of Canada – Satyamoorthy Kabilan, lead contact)

This project will explore private sector knowledge of terrorism and the role of the private sector in supporting government counter-terrorism policies and actions. The Department will contribute up to $145,954 over one year.

Government Actions in Terror Environments (GATE) Canada: New data and insights
(University of Denver – Erica Chenoweth and Laura Dugan, lead researchers)

This project will bring Canada into the existing GATE (Government Actions in Terror Environments) database initiative, run by the University of Denver and the University of Maryland. GATE compiles actions by government actors that are directed toward sub-state targets, such as terrorist organizations and their constituencies. The Department will contribute up to $303,664 USD over three years.

Performance measurement and evaluation of countering violent extremism interventions
(Royal United Services Institute – Charlie Edwards, lead researcher)

This project aims to develop a toolkit for measuring and evaluating countering violent extremism (CVE) interventions, for use by policymakers and practitioners. The Department will contribute up to $102,233 over one year.

Risk/threat assessment and management of group-based violence
(ProActive ReSolutions, with support from Simon Fraser University – Alana Cook and Stephen Hart, lead researchers)

The project will validate guidelines for the assessment and management of group-based violence, including terrorism, and train threat assessment professionals and senior graduate students in the assessment and management of group-based violence during three-day training sessions. The Department will contribute up to $31,691 over two years.

Development of an internet-based repository of best practices in responding to victims and survivors of terrorist acts
(Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime – Heidi Illingworth, lead contact)

The project will develop an internet-based repository of research and information on best practices highlighting responses that will meet the immediate, intermediate and long-term needs of victims and survivors of terrorist acts. The content of this internet-based repository of best practices will focus on how officials can ensure positive outcomes for victims and survivors and the resiliency of Canadian communities. The Department will contribute up to $67,800 over two years.

"Terrorist chatter": Understanding what terrorists talk about
(Flashpoint Global Partners – Lorenzo Vidino, lead researcher)

The project will analyze the online activities of a number of individuals and networks engaged in Al-Qaeda-inspired or similar extremist activities in various Western countries. The Department will contribute up to $159,563 over two years.

Date modified:

2015-12-01