SPOTLIGHT: The leading edge of defence and law enforcement study

In this episode of Defence Connect Spotlight podcast, Liam Garman sits down with Sibel Aktim, a Macquarie University graduate and intelligence officer, to explore postgraduate courses that are available to assist people with their careers in defence and law enforcement. Inspired by a lecturer, Aktim pursued a master of intelligence, finding a practical bridge between academic study and real-world intelligence work. The pair discuss major international experiences undertaken during the course of study at Macquarie University, including research in Fiji and the United States. They also discuss one of the biggest professional takeaways from postgraduate study, the principle of "BLUF" – bottom line up front – which focuses on concise, decision-ready intelligence without unnecessary "fluff". Closing out the podcast, Aktim credits Macquarie University's intelligence program with preparing her for the demands of front-line intelligence work, from managing biases and working collaboratively with international peers to providing clarity under pressure. Enjoy the podcast, The Defence Connect team