University of Exeter experts showcase efforts to boost Home Defence at major military and civilian conference
Frances Tammer, Harry Pitts and broadcaster Paul Mason, spoke at the conference about the University of Exeter’s work
University of Exeter experts have showcased their innovative work to help promote the defence of the UK at a major conference hosted by the British Armed Forces.
The event, run by a Joint Military Command, brought together representatives from across government as well as first-responders, local authorities and the media.
The University of Exeter has been working with a JMC over the past year supporting the ‘whole of society’ approach called for in the 2025 Strategic Defence Review.
The conference aims were to enhance understanding of the broader strategic context and threat picture, to invest in partnerships and networks, to strengthen preparedness and identify opportunities for future regional co-operation.
The University of Exeter’s programme of work on whole-of-society home defence includes delivering focused professional education and training to enhance preparedness and resilience.
Tabletop exercises run by the University of Exeter have helped leaders across all sectors to exploit synergies and begin a journey to better resilience in an increasing threats environment.
The course – Whole of society: building homeland defence and resilience for all – was successfully piloted earlier this year and will be launched in early 2027.
Professors Gareth Stansfield, Frances Tammer and Harry Pitts and broadcaster .Paul Mason, spoke at the conference about the University of Exeter’s work, which centres on its Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence & Security, hosted within the Strategy & Security Institute.
Professor Tammer, Professor of Practice in the Strategy & Security Institute, said: “Our scenario-based training is helping organisations gain understanding of how they could work together and the challenges they would face. We are supporting them to test the complexity of decision-making in an emergency situation and explore what planning and activities are needed. This is helping them to identify key issues and be better prepared and emerge quickly from any recovery periods.”
Professor Pitts, Director of the Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence & Security, said: “Defending the homeland security and resilience of the UK must be a key focus for the public, private and third sectors. The convening power of conferences like this will play a vital part in the collective effort of improving preparedness. We are proud to be part of this in the South West and beyond”.
