Episode 4.25: Trust Building Measures with Dr. Vanessa Brown

Welcome to a new episode of Battle Rhythm with co-host Dr. Thomas Hughes, Assistant Professor at Mount Allison University. Steve and Thomas discuss the RAF Fairford incident that led to five UK nationals being arrested and later released; Canadian decisions on developing anti-drone capabilities; and a discussion of retired former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Wayne Eyre as he has recently published his memoir, Into the Breach: A Soldier’s Journey By Wayne Eyre. Today’s Feature Interview is with Dr. Vanessa Brown as she hosts the upcoming Inter University Seminar on the Armed Forces in Society - Canada Conference in Ottawa from Oct 23-25th. Vanessa Brown holds a PhD in Sociology from Carleton University. Her PhD thesis investigates the integration of gender and cultural perspectives in Professional Military Education and its relationship to organizational culture change. Dr Brown is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Defence Studies at Canadian Forces College. Dr. Brown assumes a variety of defense research and advisory roles. Dr. Brown is an Adjunct Professor at the Inter-American Defense College in Washington DC and serves as Program Chair for Canada’s Inter-University Seminar on the Armed Forces and Society. In recent years Dr. Brown was an Assistant Professor with the Dallaire Centre of Excellence for Peace and Security developing curriculum and research on Mainstreaming Gender Perspectives in Operations for the United Nations Chief Heads of Defense Network on Women, Peace and Security. Additionally, Dr. Brown was the first Gender Advisor to Commander of the Canadian Defence Academy. Dr. Brown has received a commendation from the Canadian Chief of the Defence Staff for her commissioned report which applied gender-based and intersectional analysis to military education and culture at Canadian Forces College. Dr. Brown teaches in the areas of leadership, military sociology, and institutional policy with a focus on gender and cultural equity. Her current research focuses on organizational culture change, advancing gender and intersectional perspectives in and through defence organizations, and the use of military Gender Advisors and Gender Focal Points to create transformational change institutionally and operationally. Dr. Brown is also researching gender-based violence facilitated by small arms and its relationship to international law, norms and policy on arms trade. More information on IUS-C and registration here: https://www.iusafs.org/ius-canada-region/ News: https://bbc.com/news/articles/cjwyz59k5y75o https://globalnews.ca/news/12077678/canadian-military-anti-drone-defences/ https://globalnews.ca/news/12075653/canadian-forces-rebuilding-wayne-eyre/ Fighting Spirit: The Profession of Arms in Canada: https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/fighting-spirit.html Book Launch - Dr. Thomas Hughes: The Department of Politics & International Relations invites you to attend the book launch of Dr. Thomas Hughes’ new book entitled Military Exercises and Threat Perception in Europe: NATO, Russia, and the Politics of War Games, 1975-2018 (Routledge, 2026). Dr. Hughes will talk about the book, entertain questions/comments, and then snacks and drinks will be enjoyed informally. Organization: POLITICAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT. Event Locator: 2026-AASZMF. Thursday, October 8, 2026, 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM. Windsor Hall Grand Room, Mount Allison University (Sackville, NB)