Interested in all things defence? Take a peek inside our
Monthly Members' Newsletter
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For new friends, welcome! We are an interdisciplinary network of Masters, PhD and Early Career Researchers focused on defence, security and military topics concerning policy, strategy, history, culture and society. We hope you find our network interesting, exciting, informative, and supportive.
For old friends, thanks for your continued involvement. It is always worth remembering that we would be nothing without you!
Scroll down to get up to date with the news, opinions, events and opportunities from our members...
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A reminder that if you have been forwarded our newsletter and are not already subscribed, you can sign up here.
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Defence Research Network February Editorial: Alternative Research Dissemination, Knowledge Exchange, and Mobilisation.
Thank you for being part of the DRN community and for continuing to engage in these conversations. We hope this edition sparks new ideas and inspires you to think about how your research can make an impact beyond the (conventional) page.
As always, this issue features responses to our Question of the Month - What forms of alternative research dissemination have you undertaken or participated in? - as well as the latest community news, events, and opportunities.
We also highlight six top tips for knowledge exchange, along with an applied example from our own Knowledge Exchange Workshop at the National Army Museum, co-hosted with the British International Studies Association (BISA) and Anglia Ruskin University, in collaboration with the BISA Critical Military Studies Working Group.
If you're interested in presenting your research in innovative and engaging formats but feel short on time or skills, this edition includes examples of creative agency collaboration - working with professionals in design, media, or storytelling - as well as further training to help you think creatively about your research impact.
Alongside this, we share an infographic outlining various alternative methods of research dissemination and the importance of the three P’s - Purpose, Process, and People - in making sure your outputs are meaningful and effective.
Disseminating research is more than just publishing in journals; it’s about sharing knowledge in accessible, innovative ways that foster engagement, impact, and dialogue. To highlight one such approach, we’re delighted to feature a contribution from Dr. Miranda Melcher, who introduces the New Books Network (NBN) - a vast podcasting platform where academics discuss their latest books with expert interviewers. Miranda shares how the NBN has been invaluable for discovering new research, engaging with authors, and even becoming a host to develop public engagement skills. For those looking to make their work more widely accessible, her insights offer inspiration on how podcasting can be a powerful tool for research dissemination.
As winter draws to a close and we look ahead to spring, we’re pleased to bring you the February edition of the DRN Newsletter! This month, we explore alternative research dissemination, knowledge exchange, and mobilisation - critical elements in ensuring our work reaches beyond traditional academic spaces and engages broader audiences.
Happy reading!
Tegan Watt Harrison
Newsletter Editor
Defence Research Network
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Disseminating Research: New Books Network
Contribution by Miranda Melcher
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A bit about Miranda...
Hello fellow members of the DRN community! My name is Dr. Miranda Melcher and I got my PhD in Defence Studies from King’s College London in 2021. My work focuses on treaty negotiations, provisions, and implementation specifically related to SSR, DDR, and military integration after civil wars. My dissertation-book titled Securing Peace in Angola and Mozambique: The Importance of Specificity in Peace Treaties was published by Bloomsbury Academic in April, 2024. You can find out more about me and my research on my website.
When I saw that the DRN’s February 2025 theme was disseminating research, I immediately got in touch with the lovely organisers to highlight the New Books Network - which has been a great part of my professional and personal life for years now.
The New Books Network
The NBN is a massive podcasting network where nerds (generally PhD students and post-PhD academics) interview authors (also generally academics) about their recently published books. The project has been ongoing since 2008 and has over 25,000 episodes, on nearly every academic topic you can imagine.
The idea is that academic books are often expensive, not available in normal bookstores, and written for incredibly small audiences, but that behind those barriers are ideas that are of interest and use to much broader audiences. Hosts choose books, invite authors, get a review copy of the book from the publisher, read the books, then interview the authors for about an hour, creating essentially a "highlights tour" of the book, including questions, methods, main arguments, and examples. For many audiences, they get everything they need from the interview, therefore saving them the money and time in tracking down the book, but without condemning the author's ideas to never be heard by wider audiences.
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How the DRN community might want to listen to the NBN
I first found out about the NBN while I was a PhD student. I used the NBN for two main purposes:
1. Listening to interviews in my research field, to determine which books I needed to then track down and get access to for my research. As the interviews have a lot more depth than just the blurb, it was a really effective way to determine which newly released books were most likely to be relevant to my work. It also helped me develop a picture of who is working in this field and whose work to keep an eye on.
2. Listening to interviews about topics entirely unrelated to my research - as a good mental break from the all-day-every-moment thinking pressure of a PhD. Super fun to read about Victorian fashion, or ancient magic, or whatever else seemed intriguing and a way to take a mental break while doing chores. Check out the “discover” tab on the top right of the website homepage to see all the channels -you can also subscribe to channels via any podcast player. The DRN community may be especially interested in the New Books in Military History and New Books in Diplomatic History channels, for instance.
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If you want to do more than listen…
Academics and PhD students are encouraged to become hosts! I've been a host since I finished my PhD in 2021 (after being a listener during my PhD) and have interviewed nearly 800 authors so far, both in my own research areas of war/defence, but also well beyond it (turns out there's loads of cool history in other areas too!). My episodes can now be found on New Books with Miranda Melcher in addition to their subject-specific episodes, if you want to subscribe to my “history with a twist” selection of books.
It's a great way to get connected with interesting authors, get access to the books for free, and develop public engagement and speaking skills - I highly recommend it! It's wonderfully flexible: as a host you choose:
● Which books to invite, as long as the book hasn’t already been interviewed on the New Books Network already (there’s a database on the backend you get access to for checking). We generally aim for books published within about the last three years. Those are the only rules though! No restriction on topic area, institution, publisher, etc.
● How many interviews you do: it doesn’t have to be consistent, and there's a huge range across our 800+ hosts around the world. Some hosts aim for a certain number per week, or month, or term. Some do various bursts. Some take long pauses (i.e. for years) and then come back - it’s entirely up to you!
● When you do the interviews: as long as the day/time works for you and the author, that’s all that matters!
● What questions to ask: No one screens the questions; generally it’s recommended to send them to authors about a week in advance of the interview to make sure they’re prepared.
● What software to use for recording: most hosts are most comfortable with Zoom, and you just need to submit the raw mp3 files to the NBN editors - they take care of the rest!
I also have templates for all the emails I use to invite & coordinate with authors which I can share with anyone interested (miranda.melcher@gmail.com) and happy to support new hosts in other ways!
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Some of my favourite episodes
It’s really hard to choose favourites, but I’ve tried, following the two main ways that I engage with the NBN as a listener: finding out about interesting work in my field, and taking a mental break by learning about something completely unrelated!
Four episodes related to DRN-topics:
● UN peacekeeping: Margot Tudor on Blue Helmet Bureaucrats
● Indian diplomats: Kira Huju on Cosmopolitan Elites
● Death in war: Lucy Noakes on Dying for the Nation
● Also, I got to be interviewed about my own book Security Peace in Angola and Mozambique on the NBN - weird being on that side of the interview!
Four episodes much less related to DRN-topics:
● Elizabeth Ingleson on the development of US-China relations
● Colin Elliot on Roman plagues
● Kelly Colvin on post-war French femininity
● Eleanor Baker on book curses
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Thank you very much Miranda for your wonderful contribution all about the New Books Network!
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Alternative forms of research dissemination
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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Thinking about how you might disseminate your current or future research project? We've brought together several ideas. Don't forget the three Ps!
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Collaborating with creative agencies
Edited by Hannah West
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Love the idea of presenting your research in innovative and engaging ways to reach new audiences but don’t feel you have the time or skills, think again! Why not consider working with a creative agency? That way you can lean on the skills and time of someone else but also take advantage of opportunities for you to upskill along the way too!
I can vouch for some brilliant experiences working with creative agencies with various different hats on from live scribing to virtual exhibitions and infographics. Here’s a few examples:
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There are lots of design and creative agencies out there but these are some of the ones we have worked with and can recommend (click on the image to link to their websites):
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If you are looking for training for you or your team then consider some of the following opportunities:
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Knowledge Exchange: Top Tips
Edited by Hannah West
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1) Map the sector.
Find out who is out there, talk to them, ask for more contacts. Work out what types of different of stakeholders you are talking to - organisations or individuals; statutory, commercial, charity; UK or international. Who is missing?
2) Prioritise them.
Work out who the ‘influencers’ are (whose voice is being listened to and why), how can you connect with them (social media, event they are speaking at, email, introduction).
3) Knowledge.
What kind of knowledge do you all hold and how can this help others. What kinds of joint agendas might you be interested in collaborating on (grant applications, policy change).
4) Communication channels.
How best to communicate with everyone. Depending on size of audience you may need newsletters and websites or conversations and meetings.
5) Get people together.
Can be face to face (always preferable but not always possible in my experience). Factor in space for everyone to share what they are working on and think about what you can all offer each other (can be simple e.g. reposting their posts, sharing their work in a newsletter or inviting them to an event.
6) Record.
Capture the conversation (whether creatively or as notes/table) as a record for those who couldn’t attend (and for future reference) but most importantly take down actions. Focus on how you can help support each other or what you have a collective motivation to work towards (could be writing in various forms from articles to blogs as well as research or policy advocacy/activism).
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We recently held a knowledge exchange workshop at the National Army Museum sponsored by the British International Studies Association and Anglia Ruskin University and in collaboration with the BISA Critical Military Studies Working Group. The Defence Research Network had been building up connections across the MOD, policy and academia since we were established and this was a perfect opportunity to bring everyone together. We felt strongly that there was a conversation to be had about the intersection between these audiences to explore how we can share what we are working on. It is about recognising that we don't have to all be working towards the same end goal or using the same methods to be able to help each other and share knowledge. It is not without its challenges reaching across communities and cultures and we did struggle to get everyone we wanted in the room. But it was a great starting point and we are still working on the next steps from this workshop which will hopefully take the form of a grant application to build on the conversations we started.
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Question of the Month
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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Here are the responses to February's question - What forms of alternative research dissemination have you undertaken or participated in?
- I've made posters, written blog posts and be involved in digital exhibition! I'm always keen to consider alternative and creative forms of research dissemination, particularly at different stages in the lifecycle of a research project.
- I have written articles for The Conversation, participated in radio and TV interviews, and have been interviewed by various print and online media outlets.
- One alternative research dissemination method I have explored is creating an infographic that condenses my PhD thesis into 10 key points. The goal was twofold: to make my research on the Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space (PAROS) and martial assemblages more accessible and engaging, but also to see the whole thing on one A4 page - with some fancy graphics and pictures! I shared this infographic within the PGR community in Politics and International Relations to encourage discussion beyond traditional academic formats. The primary audience was fellow PGRs, aiming to facilitate informal knowledge exchange and make complex theoretical frameworks (like assemblage theory) more approachable. That said, I also found it to be a helpful writing exercise - forcing me to distill my argument concisely while keeping the key ideas intact. This approach not only helped present my research in a more digestible format but also made it easier to discuss in both academic and casual settings - like a “party version” of my PhD for non-specialist audiences.
Our question for March is: How do you envision the future of gender equity in the defence sector and what steps do you think need to be taken to get there?
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We are now on Bluesky! If you're on this platform, give us a follow.
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News from our committee & community
Edited by Tegan Harrison
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Thank you for all your contributions to this edition! It is wonderful to hear from you and we do enjoy sharing your work with our members. Please enjoy reading said contributions below!
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The Emerging Voices Network (EVN) is a digital, global network of high-potential, early-career researchers on nuclear weapons and nuclear policy issues. We offer members the chance to contribute to Policy Cycles where they contribute to policy papers, host Senior Expert Masterclasses, offer a peer-to-peer mentorship scheme, hold online speed networking sessions, and this year we introduced Futures and Foresight Training workshops.
Network Members will either be between the ages of 18 and 35 or have been working in the nuclear field for less than 7 years. We will announce when we are next open for new members, which happens at least once a year. You can email us to ask to be emailed directly when applications next open. You can also see our recorded online events on the BASIC YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BASICinternational.
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What we have been listening to
Edited by Veronika Poniscjakova
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War on the Rocks
Ukrainecast
- How are Ukrainians reacting to Trump’s peace talk plans? - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0kr3t06
Ukraine World
- Is Europe ready to defend itself? - https://ukraineworld.org/en/podcasts/ep-347
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Do get in touch if you have heard a fascinating podcast or you have been involved in one, we'd love to include it in a future newsletter!
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What we're reading
Edited by Veronika Poniscjakova
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Kremlin Media Wars: Censorship and Control Since the Invasion of Ukraine
Wendy Sloane, Aleksandra Raspopina
This new book examines the evolving challenges faced by journalists in and covering Russia, highlighting the increasing government control over independent media. Bringing together academics and practitioners, it blends rigorous research with first-hand reflections on censorship, digital information control, and the broader implications for Russia’s future. It explores how journalists, academics, and activists navigate restrictions, offering insights into modern censorship and its impact on policymaking within and beyond Russia.
You can get a copy here.
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The Routledge Handbook of Soviet and Russian Military Studies
Alexander Hill
This new book looks at the evolution of the Russian and Soviet armed forces from the Napoleonic Wars to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Organised thematically and chronologically, it examines key wars, military developments, and overarching themes such as airpower, counterinsurgency, and the role of women. Concluding with an analysis of whether a distinct ‘Russian way of war’ exists, it provides a comprehensive study of Russia’s military history.
You can get a copy here.
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Events...
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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Click on the images below, or follow the links, to find out more about these upcoming events.
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The Military Welfare History Network has a series of exciting events coming up.
Birmingham Conference – Military Medicine & Welfare in WWI
The next event in the Network’s calendar is The Military Medicine and Welfare of the First World War: Preparations, Evolutions, and Legacies, taking place at the University of Birmingham (UK) on 10-11 April 2025. While the abstract deadline has passed, members are still welcome to attend. This conference will explore military welfare in its various forms through the lens of the First World War, while also welcoming perspectives on the 19th and mid-20th centuries. For further details, contact militarywelfarehistory@gmail.com.
The Military Communities' Medical Welfare and Care History Conference Series
This Birmingham conference is the first in a Wellcome Trust-funded three-part series (2025/26) on military medical welfare, featuring two in-person events and one online session. More details, will be shared during the summer.
Special Issue – Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health (JMVFH)
The Journal of Military, Veteran and Family Health (JMVFH) has invited the Network to contribute a special issue in 2026-27, titled Medical Welfare and Care of Military Communities: A Collection of Historical Studies. All participants in the Wellcome-funded conference series will be automatically invited to submit, with a broader call for contributions opening in January 2026.
Stay tuned for more details and opportunities to get involved, or in the meantime, visit the Military Welfare History Network website.
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The Centre for Geopolitics Presents: Instrument of War – Music and the Making of America’s Soldiers
The Centre for Geopolitics has an upcoming event entitled Instrument of War: Music and the Making of America’s Soldiers, featuring historian David Suisman. Drawing from his book of the same name, Suisman will explore how the U.S. military has historically used music as a tool for training, discipline, and morale-building, while soldiers themselves have turned to music to cope with the psychological and emotional strains of war. From marching tunes to battlefield soundscapes, this talk examines the deep and complex role of music in military life.
Click here to register.
For more about the University of Cambridge's Centre and its programs, click here.
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Opportunities...
If you would like to advertise any upcoming opportunities, please let us know via email.
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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Click on the images below, follow the links, or scan the QR codes, to find out more about these upcoming opportunities.
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Baltic Geopolitics Summer School 2025 – The Price of Freedom: Reflections from Estonia
📍 Tallinn, Tartu, and Narva, Estonia
📅 4-8 August 2025 (arrival on 3 August)
🎓 Open to undergraduate, Master’s, and PhD students in humanities and social sciences from Cambridge (POLIS, History, Modern and Medieval Languages, English, Economics, Law, History of Art, Architecture, Music).
The University of Cambridge’s Centre for Geopolitics invites applications for the Baltic Geopolitics Summer School 2025, an immersive program exploring the historical and contemporary challenges of freedom and security in the Baltic region. Hosted across three key Estonian cities, the summer school will provide participants with first-hand insights into regional geopolitics, history, and international relations, featuring discussions with leading academics, policymakers, and local experts.
📅 Application deadline: 21 March 2025
Click for More Info
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As always, keep an eye on our Twitter for new events and opportunities posted/retweeted every day!
Planning a future event?
If you are planning a defence-related event and you would like to reach an audience of like-minded researchers, we'd love to come along! Drop us an email and we can include it in our next newsletter.
If you are interested in any of our events but don't want to go alone, or simply want to expand your network, please reach out on Twitter or drop us an email and we can connect you with fellow DRN members who may be planning to attend.
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February: Gender/Women in Defence
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We hope you've enjoyed our news, tips and recommendations so far. In case you missed our previous newsletter editions, check out our archive section here!
As usual, we will be looking to showcase some early-career researchers in research spotlights in the newsletter so don't be shy! And we welcome any suggestions for 'in conversation with' pieces with more established academics. And let us know about any relevant events, from book launches to webinars. We'll keep an eye on our Twitter/X, Bluesky and LinkedIn accounts to keep you posted!
See you soon and many thanks for being part of our network!
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Do you have a blog or publication you would like to promote? Don't hesitate to share it with us via email and we can add it to our newlsetter.
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Thank you so much for joining our network.
Have you recently won an award, had your paper published, launched a book or are you organising an event? We want to hear from you! We are always looking for new content for our newsletter and would love to showcase the great work of our members.
For queries, more information, or just to tell us about yourself, don't hesitate to contact us on Twitter @DefenceResNet or at defenceresearchnetwork@gmail.com
The DRN team
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