ARRC NEWS
ARRC – KCL ACADEMIC OUTREACH INITIATIVE 2023
Maj Sebastian Durrant
Since 2018 , HQ ARRC has run a joint academic initiative with King ’ s College London ( KCL ), seeking academic thought and insight from a more diverse base than available through typical Defence channels . The purpose of the initiative is to broaden our understanding and challenge the military ‘ group think ’ which can occur if organisations do not seek understanding from outside of their own sphere of influence . More than this , the outreach programme has already been responsible for building relationships across stakeholders from wider defence , including the Civil Service and other military headquarters and seeks to continue to do so .
As a world-renowned institution in its field , the KCL Department of War Studies invites its postgraduate students to write papers on current security-based issues of potential interest to the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and to NATO . The best applicants are selected by ARRC G2 and are then connected with military staff at HQ ARRC , whose interests and experience are relevant to the students ’ proposals . The students benefit from discussing their ideas with serving officers and soldiers from across NATO , adding real world experience to their academic efforts .
A postgraduate student presents to his peers , and staff from HQ ARRC , SGMI and DI
On 13th July 23 , ARRC G2 hosted this year ’ s KCL delegation at HQ 3 Military Intelligence Battalion ( 3 MI ), in London . Nine students pitched their research topics to staff from HQ ARRC , Defence Intelligence ( DI ) and Specialist Group Military Intelligence ( SGMI ), and Dr Simon Anglim , the initiative ’ s lead at KCL .
With topics spanning the strategic and tactical levels , the briefs proved insightful and varied . Research topics
ARRC G2 ’ s Lt Col Lagna lines up with the initiative ’ s Italian cohort and Dr Simon Anglim
were grouped into three themes : hybrid warfare and the ongoing Russia – Ukraine conflict , technological implications for future war , and strategic concerns beyond Russia .
Within these themes , focus areas included the impacts of drones on combined arms warfare , the future role of private military companies ( PMCs ) in Russia ’ s global ambitions , commercial geospatial intelligence , artificial intelligence , cognitive biotechnology , the future of armour , robotics , remote warfare and great power competition , and the credibility of the UK ’ s high-intensity warfighting capability .
The day was not all stuffy presentations and pontification , however . 3 MI laid on a fabulous curry lunch and , in the evening , opened its bar to all participating staff and students : an excellent end to the day ’ s events . Views were exchanged , interviews arranged , and contacts made .
Having received feedback on their proposals , the students will now
SO1 G2 Int attempts concealment behind his pint in the 3 MI bar afterwards
further engage with their ARRC points of contact to refine their research and produce their articles for publication in Imjin Magazine and British Army Review . The articles will then be entered into a competition and , once a winner has been selected , the victorious student will be invited to brief their research to an audience from HQ ARRC .
To anyone wishing to engage with academic thought and literature relevant to the profession of arms , or to improve themselves as a military professional , this initiative cannot be recommended enough . Those interested in participating in next year ’ s iteration of this academic outreach initiative , should reach out to SO2 G2 Plans , Major Sebastian Durrant .
8 WINTER 2023 the imjin