Assessing State Resistance To Malign Foreign Influence
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Research Topic Description, including Problem Statement:
Australia’s engagement in the Asia-Pacific is increasingly contested by the growing influence of state and non-state actors whose interests can be inimical to our own. The ability of Asia Pacific nations to identify and resist malign foreign influence is increasingly relevant as means, such as those enabled by social media, grow in sophistication and pervasiveness. Malign influence through economic inducements, coercion, security threats or cooperation, and disinformation campaigns can be mitigated. However, mitigation measures are complex, time sensitive and of variable effectiveness.
Can a framework be developed and tested to identify and assess state resistance to malign foreign influence (pursuant to self-determination)?
Example Approaches:
Proposals could approach this topic from a disciplinary, thematic or impact perspective. Possible approaches include:
- A comparative and recent longitudinal analysis of both successful and unsuccessful resistance measures;
- A multi-faceted approach that examines the political, economic and social dimensions of resisting malign foreign influence;
- A study of legislative responses to malign foreign interference, with respect to impacts;
- Qualitative and quantitative case studies that consider effectiveness;
- Emerging trends (technologies) in malign influence activities; and
- Mapping malign influence campaigns and consequences.
Relevance to the Intelligence Community:
An improved understanding of how regional states identify and respond to malign foreign influence and establishing a framework through which to understand the effectiveness of responses will improve the Intelligence Community’s ability to identify instances, outlooks and contextual situations. Insight may also be afforded that supports assessments of specific instances or campaigns. A deeper understanding of malign influence activities in the Asia-Pacific, consequent impacts and the effectiveness of state responses, will inform policy consideration of potential resistance strategies. These insights will inform reporting and policy consideration, including provision of advice and assistance to regional neighbours.
Key Words: Malign Foreign Influence, Coercion, Disinformation, State Resistance, Mitigation Response
Postdoc Eligibility
- U.S. citizens only
- Ph.D. in a relevant field must be completed before beginning the appointment and within five years of the application deadline
- Proposal must be associated with an accredited U.S. university, college, or U.S. government laboratory
- Eligible candidates may only receive one award from the IC Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program
Research Advisor Eligibility
- Must be an employee of an accredited U.S. university, college or U.S. government laboratory
- Are not required to be U.S. citizens
- Citizenship: U.S. Citizen Only
- Degree: Doctoral Degree.
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Discipline(s):
- Chemistry and Materials Sciences (12 )
- Communications and Graphics Design (2 )
- Computer, Information, and Data Sciences (16 )
- Earth and Geosciences (21 )
- Engineering (27 )
- Environmental and Marine Sciences (14 )
- Life Health and Medical Sciences (45 )
- Mathematics and Statistics (10 )
- Other Non-Science & Engineering (2 )
- Physics (16 )
- Science & Engineering-related (1 )
- Social and Behavioral Sciences (27 )
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