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! For our November newsletter we are talking about conferences. We have lots of different perspectives to share with you so we hope you enjoy the read.
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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Welcome to the Defence Research Network Newsletter!
Welcome back everyone! We hope this newsletter finds you refreshed and ready to take on the exciting challenges that 2024 will undoubtedly bring. We also hope that each of you had a wonderful Christmas break surrounded by family and friends. Our community is the backbone of the Defence Research Network, and we want to express our heartfelt appreciation to each member for your continued support and contributions.
As we kick off the new year, we are thrilled to present another edition of the Defence Research Network Newsletter. This month, our focus revolves around planning and running events, a topic that plays a crucial role in fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange within our community. A special thank you goes out to Lucy Robinson and Veronika Poniscjakova for taking the lead on this month's theme. We also extend our gratitude to the committee for their inputs and tips on orchestrating successful events in their respective fields.
In this edition, we are pleased to share the latest news, upcoming events, and exciting opportunities within the defense research community. As you navigate through the pages of this newsletter, we hope you find valuable insights and practical guidance that resonate with your own experiences. Your feedback and suggestions are always welcome so please drop us a line!
Thank you once again for being an integral part of the Defence Research Network. We look forward to another year of collaboration, growth, and shared success!
Stay cool,
Tegan Harrison
Newsletter Editor
Defence Research Network
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Planning and Running Events: Reflections from our Committee
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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For this month's newsletter, we asked our committee to share their reflections and advice on planning and running events!
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First up we have Baris Celik, one of our new Co-chairs and Teaching Lead, reflecting on his role as an events officer.
Previously I served as an events officer for UACES (University Association for Contemporary European Studies), a key academic organisation on European studies. From conceptualising events' themes to coordinating speakers and logistics, in every stage of planning academic events, I had to navigate diverse schedules and expectations ranging from academics at different career stages to venue and catering providers. Both in planning and running an academic event, working within a team has been essential. Indeed, throughout my experience, collaborative efforts helped address potential hurdles and provide diverse views about the event. My role in organising events involved working under a sense of community not only with my team, but also with event participants. I always sought to ensure effective scholarly engagement and knowledge dissemination by taking into account the participants' diverse needs and interests.
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Ann Bajo, our Secretary, shares her advice in planning an event.
When planning an event, teamwork has always been key for me. Whatever the size of the event, it is never a good idea to plan and prepare for an event on a solo flight. A duo or a three-man team will help you be more efficient in organising an event. Delegate the tasks and coordination are important for a smooth sailing execution of your event. But most importantly, enjoy the process.
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Lucy, our Twitter Manager and Events and Opportunities Editor, shares her reflections and advice for running an in-person event.
Last year, I applied to my funding body's 'Incubator Fund' to provide financial support to run my first in-person event. The event was designed for first year social science PhD students at the start of their research journey. It was made up of a series of four workshops with guest speakers sharing their wisdom and insights into four topics: culture of academic, grasping wider opportunities, ethics in the field and disseminating research.
I wanted to gain experience of organising an event as I had only previously assisted with events held online. Whilst I had a brilliant time, the logistics around planning and running an event were a lot more than I had anticipated! With this in mind, I share my top 'takeaways' from my experience:
- Give yourself plenty of time to organise the event (things always seem to take longer than you anticipate!).
- See if you can find financial support for your event to cover costs such as room hire, refreshments and honorariums.
- Give yourself plenty of time on the day to set up the room(s) and ensure the IT is working.
- Factor in regular breaks for attendees to have some 'downtime' (grab a drink, nip to the loo!) and/or network.
- Use Padlet to gather feedback from the event (easy to send round as a link on an email).
- Be prepared to be flexible to account for last minute changes – expect the unexpected!
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Veronika, one of our new Co-chairs, reflects on her experience organising events.
I have organised many events - whether as president of a student society back in my undergraduate days, as a professional after finishing my master's, and also of course as a PhD student and later as a full-time academic.
The biggest event that I have ever organised was during my PhD studies at the University of Nottingham, and it was a PGR conference. I was rather lucky to have great four co-organisers and a very supportive PGR Director who gave us some very useful guidance. I learned a lot whilst organising the conference, and I still use the very same event organisation checklist I created back then!
As for some useful tips, I would say – start planning early – if you can! The PGR conference took place in June 2018, but we started planning it 9 months in advance I would also recommend splitting the planning into several stages. Some things you will have to do in the very early stages, like thinking about a theme, and a keynote speaker, you will also need to consider how many people you would like to attend, and how big a venue you will need. You will also need to identify a suitable date and make sure that no other big events are taking place at the same time, or consider if people are likely to be available to attend (e.g. summer holidays). Also in the early stages, you will then need to create a budget and start thinking about the call for abstracts. In the mid-stage, you will have to promote the event, start accepting the applications/registrations, book catering, and also start thinking of some contingency planning (e.g. rail or UCU strikes). In the final stage, you may want to consider putting together conference packs, creating posters and flyers, and sorting out photography, and badges for the day, and you will need to decide who is doing what on the day (e.g. direct people to their panels, etc).
Organising a conference can be a bit stressful but it can be fun too, and most importantly, it is a nice thing to develop new skills and beef up your CV!
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Hannah, another of our Co-Chairs, shares her top tips from running events.
I would like to share with you a snapshot from many, many years ago but which taught me a lot that I still think of now. Back when I was still serving as a Naval Air Engineer, I decided to try and get together a conference on Gender and Naval Engineering. I guess it was an early sign of my future research interests! I remember it now because of two really important lessons I learnt.
I really wanted to encourage some senior attendance at the conference, which I managed, but I did so by building momentum behind the idea of the conference before I had secured guest speakers. I might have made a little more of the interest in this event from one senior officer when speaking to another whilst giving the impression of a large organising committee such that people committed to attending and speaking and I pulled it off. What I learnt was that if you know you are trying to bring about an important conversation, you have to get a bit of a buzz going, hold your nerve and you'd be surprised at what you can make happen.
I also learnt the importance of having a clear plan for what the outcome is you are aiming for. I was fortunate in having the opportunity to prepare a briefing paper to go up the chain of command afterwards but looking back now I think the event could have made more of the opportunity to present actions and recommendations. I wish that I had pursued responses to the outcomes by following up with meetings to revisit ideas that came out of the day.
And as I look back at that experience with my academic head on I still think these lessons are relevant. You want to get a buzz going about what you are organising so be bold in reaching out to those in positions of influence to help get this going. In terms of outcomes, I think it is easy to think of an academic conference or workshop as an opportunity to share our research, which of course it is, but we can be more specific than that. As attendees we can have our own personal outcomes, such as to have moved a paper towards publication by gathering feedback, networking with a particular group or arranging a one-to-one chat with someone we have cited but never met. But as an organiser too we can think about what we want to make possible for those attending. I love it when events include more diverse opportunities from film screenings to creative workshops, ECR career cafes to book launches.
Good luck with whatever you are organising and don't forget to tell us here at the DRN so we can help you advertise it!
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DRN events 2024 - we want to hear from you
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Dear DRN Community,
In the past couple of years, we have organised dozens of events - various workshops, seminars, networking events, and many others.
Now, we would like to hear from you, and see what kind of events you would like us to organise for you this year.
Please fill out this form to let us know your thoughts or email us at defenceresearchnetwork@gmail.com.
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As we step into 2024, we would like to reintroduce our objectives – or New Year’s resolutions – for this year.
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News from our committee
Edited by Tegan Harrison
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Lucy Robinson's tutorial on 'Creative data generation methods: The self-portrait and relational map' has been published by the NCRM this month. It includes lots of detail about the method, a step-by-step guide/worksheet and a list of recommended reading. Read it here: https://ncrm.ac.uk/resources/online/all/?id=20836
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Dr Hannah West is giving a talk at the National Army Museum on 15 March at 12:00. All are welcome to join, in person or virtually. Find out more by clicking the image below!
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Veronika Poniscjakova took part in the Aurora leadership program that helps women achieve leadership positions within higher education.
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News from our community
Edited by Tegan Harrison
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Thank you for all your contributions to this edition's 'News from our Community'. 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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Laura Mills, University of St Andrews, is the most recent winner of the BISA 2023 Award for Distinguished Excellence in Teaching International Studies. She has recently written an article entitled 'Creative pedagogy: teaching the international innovatively and intimately' which we share here.
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Dr Nina Baker, an independent engineering historian specialising in the history of women in engineering recently gave a talk to the Newcomen Society entitled “Electrifying Women: some women’s achievements in electricity and electronics, from arc lamps to Cold War missile guidance”. You can watch this by clicking on the video link embedded below!
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Dr Baker has also written a blog article for the Rewriting Women into Maritime History project. It explores the presence of women in shipbuilding on the Clyde during the First and Second World Wars. To read the blog, click here.
She has also published two books Beneath the Radar. An illustrated account of an ordinary radar operator's life in RAF radar stations 1942-6 and Adventures in Aeronautical Design: The Life of Hilda M. Lyon.
We would also like to share and offer our congratulations to Dr Nina Baker on her appointment of an OBE in the 2023 New Year’s Honours’ list, for services to the history of women in engineering.
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Khalil Dewan, SOAS, University of London, shares his academic book review on Rebecca-Mignot Mahdavi’s latest ‘Drones and International Law: A Techno-Legal Machinery’ (2023), published in the Journal of Conflict and Security Law.
Click here to read!
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What we have been listening to
Edited by Veronika Poniscjakova
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Air Power and International Security podcast by Portsmouth Military Education Team
War on the Rocks
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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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January Twitter Hour: Planning and Running Events
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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January's #TwitterHour on the theme of 'planning and running events' happened on Wednesday 24th January. Thank you very much to all those who engaged with the four questions. Below, we share the highlights! #DefResChat
Q1: Think back to the best event you've attended in the last year, what made it successful?
- I went to a lot of big conferences last year, probably too many, but I did enjoy @MYBISA in Glasgow and @europeanisa in Potsdam. I enjoyed catching up with people in real life that I only know from reading their work or interacting virtually.
- I think what made them successful were the options provided by the programme with lots to choose from without so much you are frustrated that you cant get to so much of what is going on.
- I’d say - genuinely interested audience!
- I presented at and attended the @NCRMUK 's e-festival last year - a two day event which ran completely online. I think it was successful because the organisers chose a great platform (@WhovaSupport) and invested lots of time and effort into explaining how to maximise the features available on the platform so both presenters and attendees could make the most out of the event!
- Well planned and informative preattendance information. Set the scene brilliantly and got people in the right frame of mind from the start.
- Energetic speakers, short presentations. Breaks here and there, nice treats and beverages. Good support from the organising institution, and nice guest appearances.
- - Engaging content - Diverse perspectives and fields of research - A lot of networking opportunities - Good food and limitless coffee.
- What kind of networking opportunities have you found valuable at events?
- I like the format where ECRs are matched with senior academics from the their field. I think this allows for more tailored and direct advice, and keeping in touch after the event.
- A positive atmosphere is a must - events that foster discussion and learning while recognizing everyone is at a different point in their academic journey.
Q2: What does a good online or hybrid event look like?
- I would say a good hybrid event leverages technology for seamless presenter-audience interaction across in person and virtual attendees. The device called Owl is not too bad. It has its own webcam and microphone, and can detect the speaker to change its focus dynamically.
- Hybrid events can be great - they provide access to those who might otherwise be unable to travel.
- Absolutely! They also help to facilitate global connections with academics and practitioners from across the world.
- Opportunities to interact direct with speakers but also informally with other attendees to replicate face-to-face networking. I like innovative use of multiple tools to facilitate this from jamboards to chat functions.
- I like when virtual events are interactive but have no preferences over different platforms to be honest!
- I've had good experiences with Zoom.
- A good, tricky question. It's not just about which tech to use. The skills of the presenter and moderator, if there is one, make a difference. Most people engage with the physical audience in front of them and the online audience is an afterthought. Balance them, and it's good.
Q3: What top tips would you give to someone looking at planning and running their first event?
- Along with other DRN committee members, I've contributed to a feature in the DRN's January newsletter (coming out next week!). In it, I've shared my reflections and top tips on running an in-person event. My top tip would be - expect the unexpected!
- - Use a wide array of channels and networks to effectively promote the event. - Keep participants informed with timely and clear communication. So I'd say ensure effective promotion and communication communication.
- Get a bit of momentum behind your event by bringing people onboard who can help promote it: 'the influencers' of your field! Share a taster of things going on at the event as a way of building up a buzz. Be creative and try engaging with audio and visual!
- Rehearsals are key. If the event is hybrid or online, set up a time for (1) you and the staff and (2) your participants to run through the technology.
- Get a good team around you and make sure everyone is clear on who is doing what. Start with a brainstorm so everyone can contribute. And then narrow down to a more definite plan determining responsibilities. Check in regularly to see how you are progressing.
- Put yourself in the shoes of attendees and think about their experience. Consider the needs of minority groups to make sure everyone is made welcome. If you are not sure, then ask someone who can help you understand what these needs are.
- You will need all the help you can get, don't try to undertake everything by yourself especially if you're facing an obstacle.
- Just to add on to the other great tips that have already been mentioned by others - think of stuff that could go wrong and have a backup plan!
Q4: What event are you involved in planning this coming year or excited to be attending?
- I'm really looking forward to attending the 'Children and Childhoods' Conference at @UniofSuffolk (10-11/7). I'll be presenting on 'Service children: identity, belonging and ‘otherness’'! @UOSChildhood #childhoods2024
- I'm already looking forward to this year's @MYBISA Conference in Birmingham being organised by @NickCaddick1! And I am excited to be speaking @NAM_London on 15 March so I'll give it another plug: https://nam.ac.uk/whats-on/what-did-you-do-war-mummy…
- Given I organise many of DRN’s events, I would say that I will be planning a couple this year, very keen to hear any suggestions as to what kind of events people would like DRN to organise this year!
Thanks again to all those who contributed! #DefResChat
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What we're reading
Edited by Veronika Poniscjakova
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Theorising Future Conflict: War Out to 2049
Mark Lacy
The book explores the changing landscape of 21st-century warfare, rejecting the notion of a complete eradication of violence and predicting China's rise as a military power by 2049. The book suggests that future war will be shaped by three broad tendencies that include a broad range of tactics, technologies and trends; the impure, the granular and the machinic. Despite novel challenges, the book suggests that future warfare will grapple with familiar problems in unprecedented geopolitical and technological contexts.
You can get a copy here.
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Ethics at War: How Should Military Personnel Make Ethical Decisions?
Deane-Peter Baker, Rufus Black, Roger Herbert, Iain King
In this book, four prominent thinkers propose and debate competing approaches to ethical decision-making for military personnel of liberal democratic states. Deane-Peter Baker introduces 'Ethical Triangulation,' Rufus Black advocates for a natural law-based approach, Roger Herbert outlines the 'Moral Deliberation Roadmap,' and Iain King presents a quasi-utilitarian model. Philosopher David Whetham concludes the book, highlighting areas of agreement, and key differences, and suggests directions for future research.
You can get a copy here.
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Events...
Edited by Lucy Robinson
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Click on the images below to find out more about these upcoming events.
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Dr Sophy Antrobus, a DRN committee alumni who currently sits on the Committee of the RAF Historical Society shares an exciting upcoming event. The spring seminar hopes to reach out to a wider audience - and current students/researchers in particular.
For more information on both the RAF Historical Society and this event, see here.
Details on the schedule and sign-up procedure is included below.
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If you would like to attend this important Seminar,
1. E-mail your name (plus those of any guests), address, telephone number and car registration number, if driving, to both colincummings@tiscali.co.uk and jboyes5652@aol.com indicating your intention to attend, and
2. Please send a payment of £25 (per head) to Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-90-56, A/C No 20766879.
We hope you can come along. Coffee is available from 9.45am on the day, lunch is provided and parking is provided free if you send in your car registration number as detailed above.
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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 to find out more about these upcoming opportunities.
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📢 CALL FOR INTERVIEWEES 📢
Tara Zammit, a PhD candidate in War Studies at King's College London, is researching integration, inclusion, and service experiences in the British Armed Forces. For this project, she is looking to interview serving personnel and veterans (women and LGBTQ+ individuals), as well as charity/NGO/policy officials and researchers/academics working on these subjects.
If you're interested in taking part, please contact Tara at tara.zammit@kcl.ac.uk for further information.
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RAF Museum 2024 Call for Speakers: Lecture Series
Organiser: Royal Air Force Museum
Place and Date: Virtual, or onsite at the Royal Air Force Museum (London and Midlands), Lancaster and Wolverhampton. Dates TBC upon selection of applications.
Application Deadline: 1 March 2024.
Submission Type: Abstract, plus a biography and talk title.
Form of Submission: Maximum 300 words in English. Biographies should be no more than 200 words.
Applications to be sent to: megan.kelleher@rafmuseum.org
More information: RAF Museum 2024 Call for Speakers: Lecture Series - RAF Museum
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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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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 account to keep you posted!
Keep an eye on @DefenceResNet for more information and check out the website for a preview of the questions for the next #DefResChat. You can also find all our previous #DefResChats on the Archive section of our website. Make sure to tag @DefenceResNet and hashtag #DefResChat to join the conversation.
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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