Paul Mason and Carl Hunter OBE appointed Honorary Fellows at the Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence and Security and Exeter’s Defence, Security & Resilience Network

Award-winning journalist, writer and political consultant Paul Mason and Carl Stephen Patrick Hunter OBE have been appointed as Honorary Senior Research Fellows at the University of Exeter’s Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence and Security (CPUDS).

Mr Mason and Dr Hunter will contribute to the initiative of CPUDS to improve the UK public’s knowledge and understanding of defence and security, while also engaging with experts in the University of Exeter’s Strategy & Security Institute and the Defence, Security & Resilience Network.

Paul Mason is Aneurin Bevan Associate Fellow in Defence & Resilience at the Council on Geostrategy. He helped develop the current government’s Defence Industrial Strategy, including the Defence Industrial Joint Council and the Defence Universities Alliance, both of which the University of Exeter is a member of.

Dr Hunter advises several government departments and is Chairman of Coltraco Ultrasonics, Director of the Centre for Underwater Acoustic Analysis (CUAA) and Director General of the Durham Institute of Research, Development and Invention, the National Strategic Research Group and the Centre for Strategic Electromagnetic Spectrum Research.

Mr Mason, a former BBC and Channel 4 business and economics journalist, is the author of several bestselling books on politics and economics.

Mr Mason said: “With war in the Gulf, and four years of the Ukraine conflict, the need for active scholarship of security, resilience and defence has never been clearer. I am delighted to be associated with the University of Exeter, and proud that it is among the institutions ready to seize the opportunities that rearmament brings.”

Mr Hunter is a Professor-in-Practice at Durham University and a Distinguished Research Fellow at the Strategy, science and technology: Changing Character of War Centre at Pembroke College, Oxford and a Visiting Fellow at the Royal Navy Strategic Studies Centre. His work examines the intersection of defence, security, trade, finance, science and technology and the development and the balanced application of UK national security and economic security interests.

Mr Hunter said: “I wish to thank the University of Exeter for this appointment. I warmly support the Centre for the Public Understanding of Defence & Security, to help reform and inform the UK Society-UK Defence-UK Security relationship, and the Strategy and Security Institute, for their leadership and work, to understand the complexities of strategic decision-making in the global security environment.”

Mr Mason will participate in the design and roll-out of University of Exeter research regarding ‘whole-of-society’ home defence and national resilience. He will work with experts examining Britain’s domestic capabilities, which includes a programme of national, regional and local education for public and private sector audiences.

Professor Harry Pitts, Deputy Director of CPUDS, said: “Both Carl and Paul play a pivotal role in influencing political debate about Britain’s role in a more dangerous world. We are very pleased they have joined our team of experts at the University of Exeter to contribute to our work kickstarting key public conversations about the big challenges and opportunities confronting Britain’s security.”

Professor Paul Cornish, Director of CPUDS, said: “Since its foundation in late 2023, CPUDS has been dedicated to extending and expanding the public understanding of defence and security in the UK. Carl and Paul are welcome new members of our growing team of experts. The Government has recently called for a national conversation and a ‘whole-of-society’ awareness of the requirements and complexities of defence and security. Through CPUDS and related initiatives, our combined expertise at the University of Exeter enables us to facilitate the informed debate that is urgently needed.”

University of Exeter Practice Professor of Strategy and Security, Frances Tammer, said: “I look forward to welcoming both Carl Hunter and Paul Mason into the University’s wider Defence, Security and Resilience network, where their backgrounds and experience will enhance further the University’s position as a national level defence centre of excellence.”