University of Exeter launches Defence Futures to strengthen UK defence, security and resilience
The University of Exeter has launched Defence Futures, a new initiative connecting the University’s research, innovation and education expertise with government and industry to address the UK’s defence, security and resilience challenges.
Defence Futures provides a central point of engagement for organisations seeking to collaborate with Exeter’s researchers, develop innovative solutions and address emerging priorities across the sector. It builds on the expertise of more than 200 academics working in relevant fields, with the aim of translating research into practical outcomes.
Exeter’s strength lies in its ability to bring together world-leading expertise across science and technology, humanities and social sciences. Its work spans cyber security, artificial intelligence and autonomous systems, climate and energy security, environmental intelligence, health resilience, space technologies, advanced engineering, geopolitics and security policy.
This integrated approach enables Exeter to contribute not only to new capabilities and innovation, but also to the evidence, insight and understanding needed to inform policy, strategy and effective responses to emerging risks.
Through Defence Futures, we provide this expertise to work alongside government, industry and our partners, helping to develop sovereign capabilities, strengthen national resilience and equip people with the skills and knowledge the UK needs. Exeter is determined to play a leading role in shaping its future.
The UK’s security environment is changing rapidly, shaped by intensifying geopolitical tensions, cyber threats, disinformation, climate-driven instability and technological change. Defence is no longer understood solely in military terms: national security and resilience increasingly depend on the protection of critical infrastructure, trusted technologies, secure energy supplies, resilient supply chains, public health and strong communities.
These challenges are interconnected and require new approaches that bring together expertise from across disciplines. They also have implications for everyday life, from the security of the services people rely on to the resilience of the economy and the protection of democratic institutions.
Defence Futures builds on Exeter’s established work with public services, government, industry and international partners on issues including cyber security, operational capability and resilience. Exeter is also an Armed Forces Covenant Gold Award holder, a founding member of the Defence Universities Alliance and has secured £6.4 million through the Office for Students’ Defence Related Skills Fund to expand engineering and computing provision and develop specialist skills relevant to the sector.
Stuart Brocklehurst, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Business Engagement and Innovation at the University of Exeter, said: “Defence Futures creates a clearer route for organisations to access Exeter’s expertise and work with us on their priorities. Our focus is on building effective partnerships that connect the right people, research and capabilities to address practical challenges.
“By working closely with industry and government, we can identify opportunities for collaboration, support the development of new capabilities and help ensure the University’s research responds to the needs of the sector.”
Defence Futures was formally launched at an event at the House of Lords, attended by parliamentarians and representatives from local government, the defence sector and industry. Speakers included Professor Lisa Roberts, Andrew Munday, Global Technology Director at Babcock, General The Lord Sanders of Hallingdal KCB CBE DSO, former Chief of the General Staff, and Nick Ames, CEO of SC Group. The event highlighted opportunities for closer collaboration between the University and its partners.
Through Defence Futures, the University aims to strengthen existing relationships and develop new partnerships across the South West region, nationally and globally, connecting research and innovation with the needs of organisations working in defence, security and resilience.
To find out more about Defence Futures or discuss opportunities to collaborate, visit exeter.ac.uk/defence-futures
