I am a tenured associate professor and hold the William and Jeanie Barton Chair at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University. The Chair comes with an annual research account, but I have full control over what I publish and research. My academic research has also been funded by the Social Science and Humanities Research Council of Canada (2012-2015; 2015-2020; 2019-2024; 2022-2027; 2025-2031), the University of Ottawa (2008-2016), and the Department of National Defence’s Security and Defence Forum (2008) and Mobilizing Insights in Defence and Security program (2024).

I was a member of the Department of National Defence’s Independent Review Panel for Defence Acquisition from 2015-2022 and was a member of the Independent Review Panel for the evaluation of options to replace Canada’s CF-18s from 2012-2014. I was paid on a per diem basis for my work on both panels. I have also served as a contract consultant for the Department of National Defence (2020), the Office of the Judge Advocate General (2013), the Office of the Auditor General (2012-2013), Senator Romeo Dallaire (2012), and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company Canada (2005). As well, I am a fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute (2013-2015, 2022-), a senior associate fellow with the Royal United Services Institute (2022-), and have held work and speaking contracts with various academic institutions. I was a special senior advisor with Samuel Associates (2023-2024) and Director of Defence Research at the Policy Insights Forum. Finally, I jointly operate a small consulting firm, Lagassé and Lennox, and have served as a contract consultant for several private and public sector clients.

I have not belonged to any political party over the past twenty years, nor have I donated to any political party.

I have discussed policy issues and my research with ministers, parliamentarians, and political staff from various parties pro bono.