The 2024 UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA) Conference will be held from 4 to 5 November 2024, in the Great Hall, King’s College London (times and programme TBC). It will bring together experts, stakeholders and parties interested in the evolving character of deterrence in the current security environment.

The events of the last two years have thrust deterrence and related effects such as assurance and coercion back into the current debate. Key elections are occurring across NATO in Europe and the USA, while security situations in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region demand attention. With the arrival of a new British government in 2024, a fresh Strategic Defence Review is also underway.

Who will be making sense of the security environment? How much do established ideas persist in defining security strategies?

This conference intends to stimulate discussion on a range of important issues with a focus on representing the next generation of deterrence experts including, but by no means limited to:

• Strategic culture - how do we coerce people who literally don’t think like we do, and how do alliances accommodate different views?
• Deterrence theory and practice in the 21st century - is ‘integrated deterrence’ achievable?
• Russian invasion of Ukraine - implications for deterrence and assurance
• Coercive strategies in an age of social media
• Space, modern strategy and deterrence

The DAAA seeks diversity of opinions in submissions and speakers, and will be run in an inclusive manner with a culture that encourages constructive challenge.

It encourages participation from experts at any stage of their career, especially those just beginning careers in this increasingly important area of international security studies.  

Proposals on any topic related to deterrence and assurance are welcome at www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-deterrence-and-assurance-academic-alliance