The Program on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) was established in November 2015 within the Department of International Affairs at Texas A&M University, with Professor Valerie M. Hudson serving as its first director. Its purpose is to provide a WPS node in the heartland of the United States, and its mission is three-fold: teaching, research, and outreach. The Program’s inaugural funding is provided by the Compton Foundation; and its research arm, The WomanStats Project, is currently funded by the US Department of Defense.
The Texas Symposium on Women, Peace, and Security is designed to bring together academics, practitioners, and policymakers who are interested in advancing the goals of UN Security Council Resolution 1325, which advocates for the increased participation of women in matters of national security, including conflict resolution, peace-building, countering violent extremism, transitional justice, and post-conflict reconstruction. The WPS agenda also suggests that national security and human security must proceed hand in hand for peace to be durable and just, including issues that some might see as normally within the scope of national security, such as education, health, and welfare. Women’s perspectives and voice on issues of national security has been sorely lacking, and this symposium is a contribution to the rectification of that deficiency. The Texas Symposium on WPS also aspires to showcase Texas-based scholarship, philanthropy, programming, and policy on these important issues.
Past events:
The 2017 Texas Symposium on Women, Peace, and Security
The 2016 Texas Symposium on Women, Peace, and Security
The 2015 Conference on National Security and Women's Insecurity
The concentration in WPS in the Department of International Affairs allows Bush School students and other interested TAMU graduate students to take courses and develop an emphasis in gender analysis as it relates to international affairs. The foundations course is Women and Nations, INTA 645, and this is supplemented by offerings from visiting instructors as well as a capstone research course in WPS. Students may also enroll in graduate courses on gender analysis in other departments at Texas A&M to complete the concentration.
The WomanStats Project is the research arm of the WPS Program, and a very active arm it is (https://womanstats.org). Currently funded through the Minerva Initiative of the US Department of Defense, the linkages among marriage patterns, marriage market obstruction, and national security are being investigated. This specific project is part of a larger research agenda investigating the relationship between the security, situation, and status of women and the security of the states in which they live. The WomanStats Database is a key go-to source for information, with data on over 350 variables for 176 countries (all those with a population of at least 200,000). Reference Reviews says about the database, “If I could only introduce gender and women’s studies students to one international source, this would be it.” Researchers on the Project include outstanding scholars from the United States, Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, and Colombia who are publishing in the top academic journals and presses in their fields.
In addition, every year the WPS Program sponsors a capstone research project for Bush School students. For example, in 2018 the team’s client was the State Department’s Office of Global Women’s Issues; and their project was on the linkage between gender and the production of foreign fighters for ISIS. Click here for their final report on "Gender, Terrorism, and Foreign Fighters."
View the Gender, Terrorism, and Foreign Fighters final report in PDF format
The WPS Program also seeks to influence public debate and policy decision making. Program researchers regularly contribute to policy journals such as Foreign Policy, Politico, World Politics Review, and others. In addition, the Program seeks to hold one public event every year; in 2015, a major conference brought together activists such as Gloria Steinem, policymakers such as Michele Flournoy, and academics such as Anne-Marie Goetz. In 2016, the public event will be a conversation with Texas policymakers, academics, and nonprofits. In addition, Program researchers have served as consultants to the United Nations, the US intelligence community, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, the House Foreign Relations Committee, and other policymaking bodies.
Opening Remarks with Dean Mark A. Welsh III
November 20, 2017
Opening remarks from the third annual Women, Peace, and Security Symposium with Dean Mark A. Welsh III, Dean of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
Watch Opening Remarks with Dean Mark A. Welsh III
Video length: 13:27
Opening Remarks and Discussion with Ambassador Catherine Russell
November 20, 2017
Ambassador Catherine Russell, former Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, U.S. State Department
Watch Ambassador Catherine Russell's Opening Remarks
Video length: 1:01:58
New Research on Women, Peace, and Security
November 20, 2017
Panel Introduction: Emily Sellars, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Panel Speakers:
Natalie Gonnella-Platts, George W. Bush Institute
Valerie M. Hudson, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Ellen Haring, Women in International Security (WIIS) & Dr. Megan MacKenzie, The University of Sydney
Sabrina Karim, Cornell University
Moderator: Leslie Ruyle, Scowcroft Institute, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Watch New Research on Women, Peace, and Security
Video length: 1:13:08
Health as a Security Priority for Women and Nations
November 20, 2017
Panel Introduction: Silva Hamie, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Panel Speakers:
Kathleen O’Reilly, Department of Geography, TAMU
Sarah Evans, Well Aware
Jacob Allen, Mary’s Meals Board of Directors
Moderator: Brandie DePaoli Taylor, School of Health, TAMU
Watch Health as a Security Priority for Women and Nations
Video length: 56:04
Women as Peacebuilders in Afghanistan
November 20, 2017
Panel Introduction: Metra Mehran, Bush School of Government & Public Service
Panel Speakers:
Farhat Popal, George W. Bush Institute
Razia Jan, Razia’s Ray of Hope
Nilofar Ibrahimi, MP, Wolesi Jirga, Afghanistan
Moderator and Discussion Leader: Sabrina Karim, Cornell University
Watch Women as Peacebuilders in Afghanistan
Video length: 58:58
Texas Perspectives on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
November 20, 2017
Panel Introduction: Beverly Hill, Gendercide Awareness Project
Panel Speakers:
Anita Marcos, PeaceMakers, Inc. of Dallas
Justine Cherutich, Women’s Federation for World Peace
Jan Langbein, Genesis Women’s Shelter of Dallas
Rena Menard, US National Committee for UNWomen
Moderator: Amanda Schnetzer, George W. Bush Institute
Watch Texas Perspectives on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS)
Video length: 56:52
The Honorable Kay Granger, US House of Representatives
November 20, 2017
Congresswoman Kay Granger delivers the keynote address at third annual Women, Peace, and Security Symposium at Texas A&M University.
Watch The Honorable Kay Granger, US House of Representatives
Video length: 32:48
Evening Remarks with Judy McClennan
November 20, 2017
Judy McClennan delivers her evening remarks at the third annual Women, Peace, and Security Symposium at Texas A&M University. McClennan served as the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women under Present George H.W. Bush.
Watch Evening Remarks with Judy McClennan
Video length: 51:25
Closing Reflections with Dr. Valerie Hudson
November 20, 2017
Closing reflections from the third annual Women, Peace, and Security Symposium with Dr. Valerie Hudson, the George H.W. Bush Chair at the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University.
Watch Closing Reflections with Dr. Valerie Hudson
Video length: 8:01
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Dean Mark Welsh's Opening Remarks
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Dean Mark Welsh's Opening Remarks
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Sahar Aziz on Migration Waves and Women
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Sahar Aziz on Migration Waves and Women
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Valerie Hudson on Why Women, Peace, and Security Matters
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Valerie Hudson on Why Women, Peace, and Security Matters
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Representative Bill Flores
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Representative Bill Flores
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Secretary Deborah James on Combat Integration
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Secretary Deborah James on Combat Integration
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: LTC Christine Rice on Integration in the US Military
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
LTC Christine Rice on Integration in the US Military
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Natalie Gonnella Platts
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Natalie Gonnella Platts
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Ellen Haring on Integration in the US Military
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Ellen Haring on Integration in the US Military
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Beverly Hill on Foreign Policy and Gendercide
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Beverly Hill on Foreign Policy and Gendercide
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Deborah Cavin on the National Action Plan
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Deborah Cavin on the National Action Plan
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Brigadier General Joseph Ramirez on Integration of the Corp
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Brigadier General Joseph Ramirez on Integration of the Corp
Women, Peace, and Security Symposium: Brainstorming
November 18, 2016
The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) Symposium provides a timely opportunity to address the challenges and opportunities of the WPS agenda by discussing them in a bi-partisan environment, developing connections between Texas, regional, and national stakeholders. This symposium was held on November 18, 2016, at the Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University.
Brainstorming
Women in Foreign Policy Conference, part 1
September 11, 2015
On September 11, 2015, the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the Women in Foreign Policy conference, entitled, "National Security and Women's Insecurity: Why Women Matter in Foreign Policy." This video features dinner remarks from September 10, 2015, from Alissa J. Rubin of the New York Times.
View the Women in Foreign Policy talk, part one
Women in Foreign Policy Conference, part 2
September 11, 2015
On September 11, 2015, the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the Women in Foreign Policy conference, entitled, "National Security and Women's Insecurity: Why Women Matter in Foreign Policy."
View the Women in Foreign Policy talk, part two
Women in Foreign Policy Conference, part 3
September 11, 2015
On September 11, 2015, the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the Women in Foreign Policy conference, entitled, "National Security and Women's Insecurity: Why Women Matter in Foreign Policy."
View the Women in Foreign Policy talk, part three
Women in Foreign Policy Conference, part 4
September 11, 2015
On September 11, 2015, the Bush School of Government and Public Service hosted the Women in Foreign Policy conference, entitled, "National Security and Women's Insecurity: Why Women Matter in Foreign Policy."
View the Women in Foreign Policy talk, part four
Program Director:
Valerie Hudson, Professor and George H.W. Bush Chair
vhudson@tamu.edu
(979) 458-0839
Allen Rm. 1079
