PLuS Alliance and Security & Defence PLuS
Through Security & Defence PLuS (S&D+) staff across King’s College London work closely with PLuS Alliance colleagues at Arizona State University (ASU) and the University of New South Wales (UNSW) to deliver cutting edge research and education on current and emerging security challenges.
S&D+ brings together researchers and practitioners from across the three universities and was inspired by the AUKUS security pact, launched by the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia in September 2021. AUKUS is designed to strengthen the ability of each country to support mutual security and defence interests by promoting deeper military cooperation and technology sharing. AUKUS comprises two “pillars”: the first focuses on supplying Australia with conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarines; the second focuses on “Advanced Capabilities” including cyber, artificial intelligence and autonomy, quantum technologies, undersea capabilities, hypersonic and counter-hypersonic capabilities, among other technologies.
KIASS supports the work of Security S&D+ by facilitating professional education focused on AUKUS, the Indo-Pacific region and related security and defence issues. Harnessing the combined research and education capacity of the PLuS Alliance, KIASS draws on deep subject matter specialisms from across the three universities in developing and delivering unparalleled professional education opportunities in the defence and security field.
KIASS offers a wide range of education interventions ranging from short courses - some of which are accredited - to full Masters programmes, delivered in a variety of online, residential and hybrid formats. Many of these programmes focus on specific aspects relevant to the work of Security S&D+ and the broader AUKUS and Indo-Pacific context, including courses on Artificial Intelligence, China-West Relations and Indo-Pacific: Culture and Decision-Making, among many others.
KIASS also provides bespoke activities on these themes, including residential workshops and wargaming exercises, that can be tailored to meet the needs of external clients. These activities focus on the professional development of employees through equipping them with knowledge about current and emerging global challenges, as well as the necessary critical thinking skills to help navigate a fast-evolving security landscape. These bespoke interventions build on decades of experience working with clients across governments and international organisations.