The University of Exeter has been recognised as one of the UK’s leading institutions in defence, security and resilience education and research after being appointed a founding member of the new Defence Universities Alliance.
The Alliance brings together 35 universities with the Ministry of Defence, the Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security and industry to strengthen research, innovation and education in support of the UK’s defence, security and resilience.
As well as collaborating on complex research and development challenges, members will help educate the next generation of graduates with the technical, strategic and interdisciplinary skills needed to support the UK’s future defence capability. Career pathways span policy and strategy, diplomacy, international affairs, ethics and resilience planning, alongside cyber security, artificial intelligence, robotics, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing.
The University of Exeter has also recently been awarded £6.4 million through the Office for Students’ Defence Related Skills Fund to expand engineering and computing provision, creating more opportunities for students to develop the specialist skills needed by the sector.
The University of Exeter’s appointment to the DUA recognises more than two decades of leadership from the institution in defence, security and resilience education and research and longstanding partnerships with government, industry and national and regional organisations. Exeter’s expertise spans the humanities and social sciences, health and life sciences, and science and technology, reflecting the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of modern defence and national security.
University of Exeter President and Vice Chancellor Professor Lisa Roberts said: “The Defence Universities Alliance’s vision reflects what Exeter has been working towards for two decades. What sets the University of Exeter apart is our ability to connect world-class researchers, government and industry as part of efforts to protect the country’s security and resilience.
“Modern defence and national security depend on far more than technological innovation. They require expertise in health science, engineering and computing alongside international affairs, history, languages, ethics, behavioural science, law and strategic communication. Bringing together this breadth of expertise is one of Exeter’s distinctive strengths.
“Our research partnerships are helping to strengthen the UK’s security and resilience while also supporting innovation, high-value skills and economic growth across the South West and beyond. Universities have an important role in bringing together research, government and industry to tackle complex national challenges and create opportunities for people, businesses and communities.”
Steve Race, MP for Exeter, said “As the nature of the threats facing Britain changes, so must our ability to defend ourselves. The South West, and Devon in particular, has enormous strength in defence and security businesses, and our universities have a key role to play in driving innovation in the sector.
“The participation of the University of Exeter in the new Defence Universities Alliance means our city will be home to more ground-breaking research, equipping students with the right skills and creating clear pathways into defence and security careers.
“Today’s announcement follows last month’s news that the Government has awarded our University £6.3 million to increase provision of key defence-related courses. These decisions will keep our country safe and set our young people up for successful and fulfilling careers.”
Professor Tim Dafforn, Chief Scientific Advisor, Ministry of Defence, said: “The Defence Universities Alliance represents a genuinely transformative step forward in how Defence partners with the UK’s world-leading academic sector. By bringing together our shared expertise, ambition and innovation, the Alliance will help us tackle some of the most complex challenges facing Defence at a strategic level. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this creates. The DUA will fundamentally change the way Defence, universities and industry work together – strengthening our national security, creating strategic advantage and supporting growth to deliver better outcomes for the UK.”
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