An article by Dr. Artur Gruszczak : the first comprehensive academic study on the College !
28 May 2026
“The Intelligence College in Europe : does it contribute to trust building in European intelligence cooperation?”
In its 7 th year of functioning, the Intelligence College in Europe has the pleasure to see published by Dr Artur Gruszczak, Chair of National Security at the Faculty of International and Political Studies, Jagiellonian University in Krakow, the very first exhaustive study on the College. Well known academic authority in Intelligence Studies, interested in European intelligence cooperation, European and transatlantic security, Professor Gruszczak has published, among others, a reference book on “Intelligence Security in the European Union: Building a Strategic Intelligence Community” (Palgrave Macmillan, 2016).
In his new academic study, published online (first) the 28 Apr 2026 in the “Intelligence and National Security” review, he examines the objectives, activities, and outcomes of the Intelligence College in Europe from the perspective of reciprocal trust-building, a topic of utmost importance in intelligence partnership & exchanges.
It focus itself on the College’s efforts to bridge the gap between the intelligence community’s culture of secrecy and the culture of openness found in academia and civil society. The paper adopts a neo-functionalist framework to argue that trust-building through the IntelCollege has involved intelligence stakeholders in a heterogeneous organisational network aimed at fostering trust and mutual confidence. This synergetic, education- and professionalisation- driven approach seeks to enhance intelligence cooperation in addressing security risks and threats facing European states and societies.
This first comprehensive (2019-26) and exhaustive scientific research, covering the intelligence training aspect but also the thematic seminars and the outreach activities (Pilar 2 of the College) is based on a 360-degree approach, i.e. interviews with senior ICE officials, with representatives of EU and national intelligence authorities, as well as a survey conducted among scholars with expertise in international intelligence cooperation.
As demonstrated by Professor Gruszczak at the end of his study, the initial reservations expressed by certain national counterparts and international organisations have been overcome and the Intelligence College in Europe’s position “as a credible institutional entrepreneur” is now well established. The College has strengthened its reputation and trustworthiness “as a networking platform, enabling participants to exchange experiences and identify best practices.”
The IntelCollege has made progress “through careful and balanced propositions directed at state intelligence services as its primary stakeholders. Over time, it has developed a credible formula for strengthening intelligence cooperation, (…). This could serve as a valuable example of trust building in international intelligence cooperation.”
If you want to dig in :
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02684527.2026.2664489