About

The Research School for War and Defence is a collaboration between the Swedish Defence University and the Swedish Armed Forces. It is an international research school for military officers and was established in 2024.

The core objective of the research school is to strengthen the doctoral education in areas relevant for the armed forces and provide a strong international network of soldier-scholars (i.e. military officers with a doctoral degree).

Additional objectives are to promote the long-term development of knowledge within the armed forces and strengthen research in important areas of professional military practices (such as warfighting, military organisation and profession, military leadership and defence planning).

The research school provides jointly organised educational activities at the doctoral level, such as courses, workshops and seminars.

Organisation

The research school is hosted by the Department of War Studies at the Swedish Defence University and is governed by a steering committee and a director, with additional strategic advice provided by an advisory board.

Steering committee

The steering committee consists of the Head of research at the Swedish Defence University, one representative from each partner institution and a doctoral student representative.

The steering committee determines the strategic direction as well as the yearly budget and operational plan of the research school, including the choice and number of courses, workshops and other activities offered by the school.

Director and management team

The director is responsible for the overall operations and the quality assurance of the daily activities of the research school. The director manages the research school in accordance with the decisions of the steering committee, including the financial management, and reports to the steering committee.

The director of the research school is supported by a management team, including a deputy director and a coordinator.

Advisory board

The advisory board is selected by the steering committee. The main role of the advisory board is to provide guidance on the strategic direction of the school.

Partner institutions

The research school is a collaboration between the Swedish Defence University and the Swedish Armed Forces.

If your department is interested in becoming a partner institution, contact the deputy director of the research school for more information.

The administrative costs of the research school are covered by an annual membership contribution from the partner institutions. However, to create a stable foundation for the development of the research school, the costs between 2025 and 2027 are covered solely by the Swedish Defence University and the Swedish Armed Forces. Thereafter, the costs will be divided between all partner institutions.