Can you tell us more about the KCL Crisis Simulation project?
Aidan: Established a decade ago, the project is dedicated to recreating a range of conflict and diplomatic scenarios, spanning modern, historical, and hypothetical future events. This immersive experience allows students to assume roles such as diplomats, military leaders, and intelligence chiefs, providing a realistic platform to navigate complex crises. Our strong ties with the Department of War Studies and the Wargaming Network add significant depth and expertise to our simulations.
Our primary focus is the bi-annual crisis simulations, which are the cornerstone of our activities. These events offer a blend of intensive two-day and one-day simulations, designed to provide students with an engaging and realistic understanding of crisis management. Beyond simulations, we also organise social events and introductory sessions to make wargaming accessible to a broader audience.
How many core members are on the team?
Aidan: Our team is quite small, with just three core members managing the daily operations. We expand during the simulations and scale back afterwards. This academic year, our team includes our outgoing Director Sophie De Bolle, who has overseen most of the administration, scheduling, and role assignments. I serve as the Administrative Officer, helping with logistics, and we also have one or two game designers who create and implement the crises for the wargaming aspect. As we prepare for and conduct the Crisis Simulation, we bring on additional roles such as 'Control,' who help run the game, and 'Player Liaisons,' who act as intermediaries between the players and Control. We also have players and research positions that support the team in creating briefings and other materials for the simulation.
What inspired you to join the project?
Aidan: My journey began with my participation in the 'Hermit Kingdom' crisis simulation, focusing on North Korea. The experience of contributing research and later serving as a Player Liaison was incredibly rewarding, leading to my recruitment. The role has been both fun and valuable, and I aim to help others enjoy and benefit from these experiences as well.
Being part of the Crisis Simulation team has significantly enhanced my ability to work under stress and pressure, benefiting other areas of my life. It has also improved my research skills and provided a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by diplomats and military leaders, enriching my academic and professional perspectives.
How do the simulations work?
Aidan: Putting together the simulations involves countless hours of work, from research and gathering materials to assigning player roles. Much of this preparation happens behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to the event. However, the simulations themselves, which take place over a weekend, are equally challenging.
Each simulation varies depending on its theme, as each has a different context, mechanics, and systems. Generally, the simulations feature a large map in the room where players plot troop movements, deployments, and plans. These actions are translated by our player liaisons onto a main map maintained by the control team, who then collate information, adjudicate confrontations, and create events for the players to tackle.
How does your team ensure these simulations are both realistic and pertinent to current global issues?
Aidan: We always ensure that each simulation is carefully researched and curated to realistically portray each scenario, a process that takes months to prepare. This involves delving into a wide variety of source material, from primary to secondary sources, and drawing on our own knowledge of the specific theme. We aim to provide a footnote for each element we implement to ensure accuracy.
However, it's important to note that sometimes we need to sacrifice realism to make the simulation enjoyable for the players. As a result, certain elements might be cut or streamlined, but we believe this enhances the overall experience. To stay relevant to current events, we strive to include the most up-to-date information and themes, ensuring the simulations engage as many people as possible and make their participation worthwhile.
How could participating in the KCL Crisis Simulation enhance the students' experience?
Aidan: The project allows students to gain a deep understanding of how certain countries operate in crisis scenarios, helping them appreciate the rationale behind their actions. It provides a dynamic way for students to apply classroom knowledge, reinforcing what they've learned in an engaging and fun manner. Additionally, crisis simulations are an excellent way to foster collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds because individuals run them from all levels of study, including BA, MA, and PhD students. This results in a broad audience, with participants often coming from universities across the country, primarily in London.
This diversity is very important, as there is typically little crossover between different levels of study within the Department of War Studies. Our simulations are one of the few opportunities that facilitate interaction between these different levels.
Who can be a part of the KCL Crisis Simulation Team?
Aidan: Anyone can participate in the KCL Crisis Simulation as a player. To join the team itself, we look for individuals who are eager to learn, work well in a team, and show a genuine interest in the simulation. We welcome members from any course or degree level, whether you're pursuing a BA, MA, or PhD.
What are the plans for the team for the next academic year?
Aidan: We have many plans for the upcoming academic year, in addition to our bi-annual simulations, which we aim to continually improve. Our main goal is to engage more people in wargaming as a discipline, and to become a society that hosts semi-regular events. These events will include socials, talks and lectures on wargaming and simulations.
To find out more about KCLISS, visit their website king-s-college-crisis-simulation.webnode.page and follow them on Instagram @kcl_crisis_simulation.