This research examines the current state of professional identity formation in university programs worldwide that offer Security and Intelligence Studies from students' perspectives.  Ideally, universities play a crucial role in shaping the professional identity of future security/intelligence professionals by intentionally and explicitly developing career-ready individuals who reflect the skills, values, attributes, norms, and professionalism associated with the security/intelligence profession.​

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The anonymous survey ran for 6 weeks until 30 April 2025 and was open to all undergraduate and postgraduate students currently enrolled in a minor or major Security and/or Intelligence Studies qualification at universities worldwide.  After completion, students received a link to the Guide to Horizon Scanning.  As an incentive, $3 per participant (a total of $325) was donated to the World Food Programme (WFP). Each $3 provides 30 sachets of therapeutic food to help a child recover from malnutrition. 

 

Preliminary results were presented at the International Association for Intelligence Education (IAFIE) Annual Conference in Madrid, Spain, from 9-11 September 2025.  The findings, along with our Integrated CONNECT Intentional Professional Identity Formation Framework, will be published in a forthcoming book on Intelligence Education.