Centre for Wargaming
The Swedish Defence University Centre for Wargaming coordinates and develops game-based education and research on wargaming at the SEDU.
The Centre for Wargaming (CKS, Swedish abbreviation) coordinates and develops game-based education and research on wargaming at the SEDU. The Centre promotes and facilitates the use of wargaming by providing expertise and support to the educational programs at the SEDU, as well as to the Swedish Armed Forces and the security sector, among others. It also serves as a hub for knowledge development and exchange of experiences on wargaming-based research and education.
The centre gathers research on wargaming as a pedagogical method and contributes to development and game design, for example through increased knowledge about specific gaming concepts and the connection between design and learning. The centre provides opportunities to deepen existing research and develop other wargaming-related areas and collaborations.
The ambition is to create synergies and become a focal point for wargaming-related activities both in Sweden and internationally.
Activities in brief
- Organize interdisciplinary research on wargaming through joint research projects, seminars, and conferences.
- Coordinate resources such as knowledge in game design, methodology, and infrastructure to support research on wargaming.
- Support and develop wargame-based education within civilian and military training programs.
- Organize wargame-based commissioned education for the Swedish Armed Forces and the security sector.
- Provide expert support on wargaming usage to the Swedish Armed Forces and the security sector.
- Develop various types of war games for educational and analytical use.
- Disseminate knowledge about wargaming usage to the surrounding society.
Organization
The Centre for Wargaming is a virtual organization where teachers and researchers with interests and activities related to wargaming can join. The centre director is Staffan Granberg.
More about wargaming
Wargaming is used for education and analysis in defense, crisis management, and security. It is a method particularly suited for activities characterized by dynamic decision-making, uncertainty, and opposing interests. It is a teaching method with a clear professional connection for officers and other military personnel, where theory and practical experience can be applied in various types of scenarios. Wargaming can be based on everything from advanced digital simulations to structured scenario-based discussions, with the common denominator that players must understand the situation, manage problems, and make decisions in a dynamic environment with opposing interests, where the outcome of the game is not predetermined.
With the reconstruction of total defense, a growing defense force, and NATO membership, there are significant educational and analytical needs where wargaming is a sought-after tool.
More about wargaming in research and education
Research on wargaming and learning
The Swedish Defence University's research on wargaming is at the intersection of war studies, game science, and pedagogy. This interdisciplinary approach makes it possible to use and develop...
Development of wargaming
The gaming section at the Swedish Defence University conducts its own game development, and they develop and trial both digital and analog games. The games are then used in military and civi...
Wargaming and education
By using war games, students at the Swedish Defence University learn how to plan and conduct military operations on land, in the air, and at sea.
Role-playing and wargaming in our educational programmes
Scenario-based role-playing games and exercises that simulate real-life situations are popular elements in our courses. Practical applications, exercises and war games are included in most o...
