Doctoral Research - Defence and security
The Centre is the focus of the doctoral research carried out at the Shrivenham campus of Cranfield University where academics meet officers to form the unique relationship as the academic provider and partner to the Defence Academy, UK. Many of the programmes are in subject areas that are related to defence and security science, engineering and management as well as in history and political science. In addition, research is carried out in areas of staff expertise in addition to defence, such as renewable energy and some aspects of the application of science to both archaeology and anthropology.
A substantial proportion of research students are part-time, some carrying out thesis research into areas aligned with their full-time employment. Links with industry and government agencies through this route are encouraged.
Research students have the opportunity to carry out research into areas that are not commonly offered within PhD programmes as well as having access to specialised facilities. These include ballistic ranges, explosive trials areas and extensive simulation and synthetic environments where conflicts can be modelled and strategies evaluated. For students coming from national and foreign government defence and security agencies appropriate confidentiality arrangements can be made covering the results of research carried out. The comprehensive library has a collection of both classified and unclassified reports and documents covering key areas of technology, history and political science.
The Centre also runs a series of supplementary training courses giving the essential support to students as they progress from induction to graduation. It also provides the framework for other activities, ranging from an annual research student symposium to a series of specialist seminars and workshops aimed at the needs of groups of particular research students. Students normally start in October, January or April and are encouraged to make contacts with each other whatever their individual research topic is.
Centre Academic Leads
Social Sciences
Dr Helen Peck
T: +44 (0)1793 785769
E: h.peck@cranfield.ac.uk
Physical Sciences and Engineering
Dr Ken McNaught
T: +44 (0) 1793 785288
E: k.r.mcnaught@cranfield.ac.uk
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Research themes:
- Weapon Systems
- Energetic materials and explosives
- Uninhabited vehicles
- Applied statistics and operational research
- Forensic science, engineering and computing
- Information security
- Biomechanics
- Strategic studies and military history
- Acquisition and defence management
- Archaeology and anthropology
- Renewable energy
Research vacancies:
