14 January 2025
King's funds collaborative research into global security and defence challenges
Space, AI, military ethics, cybersecurity, integrated deterrence and climate change are just some of the topics being explored through nine new projects funded by the inaugural Security & Defence PLuS (S&D+) Seed Grant scheme.
Security & Defence PLuS is the flagship program of PLuS Alliance, a global partnership which combines the strengths of three leading research universities on three continents - King’s College London, Arizona State University and the University of New South Wales - to solve global challenges.
In 2024, the program provided seed funding to academic-led research tackling critical security and defence challenges. The scheme, which fosters collaboration among the AUKUS member nations - Australia, the UK and USA - supports research in diverse areas, from climate security, to supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence and more.
With up to US$15,000 in grants available for trilateral university collaborations and US$10,000 for bilateral projects, the scheme is designed to support the very early stages of research, helping projects establish a foundation for future development and positioning them to seek additional funding.
The projects are being led by experts from King’s Department of War Studies, the Defence Studies Department and the Department of Engineering. The videos below spotlight these projects, featuring insights from the academics driving them as they outline their focus, proposed solutions and intended outcomes, offering a glimpse into the future impact of their research.
Trilateral Project: Arizona State University, King's College London, UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Mark Hilborne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies, King's College London
Duncan Blake, Lecturer, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Professor Diana Bowman, Associate Dean for Applied Research and Partnerships, ASU Law, Arizona State University
Trilateral Project: Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Canberra
Co-Leads:
Dr Deane-Peter Baker, Associate Professor of Ethics, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Professor David Whetham, Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession, Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Dr Heather Lum, Assistant Professor Human Systems Engineering, Arizona State University
Trilateral Project: Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Tim Stevens, Reader in International Security, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Dr Elena Steiner, Associate Research Scientist, Global Security Initiative, Arizona State University
Professor Debi Ashenden, Director of the Institute for Cyber Security, UNSW Canberra
Trilateral Project: Arizona State University, King's College London, and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Thorin Wright, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies, Arizona State University
Dr Sally Burt, Lecturer in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Dr Andrew Corbett, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies Education, Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Professor Wyn Bowen, Head of the School of Security Studies, King's College London
Bilateral Project: King's College London and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies, Kings College London
Professor Anthony Burke, Professor of Environmental Politics and International Relations, UNSW Canberra
Dr Pauline Heinrichs, Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy), King's College London
Bilateral Project: King's College London and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Professor Rym M'Hallah, Professor of Systems Engineering, Department of Engineering, King's College London
Dr Hasan Turan, Senior Lecturer and Research Lead, Capability Systems Centre, UNSW Canberra
Seed Grant Bilateral Project: Arizona State University and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Bernd Gludovatz, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Sydney
Dr Qijun Hong, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University
Bilateral Project: Arizona State University and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Bernd Gludovatz, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Sydney
Dr Qijun Hong, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, Arizona State University
Bilateral Project: Arizona State University and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Christian Hoover, Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, ASU
Dr Wengui Li, Associate Professor in the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, UNSW Sydney
Information on the 2025 Seed Grant Scheme will be shared soon. If you are interested in finding out more about partnering or funding these projects, please contact Security & Defence PLuS: securitydefence@plusalliance.org
In this story
Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies
Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession
Reader in International Security
Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies Education
Head of the School of Security Studies (Interim)
Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies
Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy)
Professor of Systems Engineering