The Wargaming Network is a research group within the School of Security Studies that aims to advance the theory and application of wargaming as a method of inquiry and as a method of learning and teaching. The Network builds on a rich history of King’s wargaming activities. It serves as a hub for the growing community of King’s students and staff studying, researching and applying wargames and simulations that go far beyond just modelling war and conflict across domains such as land, sea, air, cyber and space but also politics, business and health to name a few. The Network seeks to engage and convene world-class wargaming scholars, practitioners and emerging talent.
The King’s Wargaming Network was founded by Professor Philip Sabin, Ivanka Barazashka, James W E Smith, Dr Aggie Hirst and Anna Nettleship in 2017.
In line with King’s 2029 Vision, the Wargaming Network seeks to:
- Educate to inspire and improve by advancing and democratising wargaming education.
- Research to inform and innovate by developing wargaming as an academic discipline.
- Serve to shape and transform by applying wargaming to generate and deliver big ideas in service to society.
The Wargaming Network engages in five types of activities:
- Convenes public lectures and workshops.
- Enables King’s faculty, staff and post-graduate student research.
- Trains rapporteurs and analysts for analytical wargaming.
- Supports the testing and execution of wargames for King’s faculty, staff and partners.
- Organises networking events.
King’s Wargaming Network supports the Wargaming Master’s module at King’s. Doctoral supervision is also supported by various members of staff. Please contact Department Staff about doctoral supervision or visit the main War Studies webpage to find out what wargaming education is available at King’s.
People
Senior Lecturer in Wargaming
PhD candidate
Reader in International Relations Theory and Methods
Managing Director of the King's Wargaming Network
PhD candidate in the Department of War Studies
Laughton-Corbett Research Fellow
Projects
The History of Wargaming
King’s has a heritage of wargaming stretching back to the 19th century which inspired the team to collaborate with researchers around the world with developing understanding of the history of wargaming both in the UK and abroad.
Developing Wargaming as an Academic Discipline
Developing Wargaming as an Academic Discipline remains central to the research we do at King’s. It was the focus research and seminar theme for 2020-2021 that explored how we can build an integrated, globally-recognised academic field in which knowledge about wargaming may be produced, preserved, and transmitted.
Naval Wargaming
King’s has a long heritage and connection with Naval Wargaming. Researchers study the theory and practice of naval wargaming and as an educational tool as part of King’s broader maritime and naval research programme.
King's College London Crisis Simulation
The King's College London Crisis Simulation (KCLCS) is a student-led simulation within the Department of War Studies. Played over the course of a weekend in the spring term, it invites students to take up the role of leaders, diplomats, and generals for a multitude of countries and organisations in crafting a coherent national strategy and execute it in the face of an escalating crisis scenario.
Rapporteurs and Analysts Training Programme
The annual programme provides King’s students with an opportunity to gain training to support King’s researchers in the execution of wargames for research purposes.
Activities
Wargaming Public Lecture Series
The School of Security Studies launched a public wargaming lecture series to mark the establishment of the Wargaming Network in 2018. Each academic year the lectures explore a particular theme covering a range of wargaming and simulation topics or questions.
Building the Future of Wargaming
The 'Building the Future of Wargaming' event kickstarted the first King's Wargaming Alumni Weekend in celebration of the first-year anniversary of the Network. Members delivered an overview of the purpose and aims of the Network as well as highlighting its achievements over the last year.
Wargaming COVID-19 Pandemics Effects
The Network convened scholars, professional wargamers and government officials in April 2020 to examine how novel wargaming methods can help us understand the short and long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
King’s Wargaming Network ‘welcome’ event
Each year the Wargaming network hosts special events for King’s students and staff to learn about the network and wargaming.
Wargaming Week at King’s
King’s Wargaming Network presents a week of wargaming activities covering academic lectures, student research expo, wargames, discussion panels and workshops.
Special lectures, events, seminars and podcasts
Throughout the year special events feature as part of the Wargaming Networks programme, usually hosted by academic staff or PGR students across a broad spectrum of topics.
The King’s Wargaming Lecture
Each year a King’s scholar or researcher presents a special lecture on Wargaming. This special lecture marks the anniversary of the creation of the Wargaming Network at King’s.
Events
King's Wargaming Week 2025
Explore the future of wargaming through hands-on games, expert panels, and innovative designs at Wargaming Week 2025.
Please note: this event has passed.
Research Wargame: Jaws of the Dragon
Jaws of the Dragon is a professional wargame simulating a blockade of Taiwan by China in the near future. Designed to be as accurate as possible military and...
Please note: this event has passed.
Politics of Play: Wargaming with the US Military – Book Launch
From the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the Covid-19 pandemic, wargames are a key way the US military plays out responses to current crises, explores the...
Please note: this event has passed.
King's NATO ACT Wargaming Week 2024
The Wargaming Network is pleased to invite you to join the Wargaming Week 2024 in partnership with NATO ACT.
Please note: this event has passed.
Wargaming Week 2023
Join the Wargaming Week 2023 in partnership with NATO ACT to explore the contemporary challenges in this area.
Please note: this event has passed.
Members
Staff:
- Dr David Banks – Academic Director of the Wargaming Network
- Dr Aggie Hirst – Founding Member
- Dr James WE Smith – Founding Member and Staff: Naval Wargaming, History and Strategic Studies Research lead
- Anna Nettleship – Managing Director and Founding Member
PhD Students:
- Boukje Kistemaker
- Arnel David
- Evan D'Alessandro
- Kit Perry
- Leo Keay
Previous Staff or Affiliated:
- Professor Philip Sabin – Former Co-Director and Founding Member, Emeritus Professor King’s College London
- Ivanka Barzashka – Former Managing Director and Founding Member
Groups:
- King’s War Studies Crisis Simulation Team – Student led Crisis Simulations in the Department of War Studies
People
Senior Lecturer in Wargaming
PhD candidate
Reader in International Relations Theory and Methods
Managing Director of the King's Wargaming Network
PhD candidate in the Department of War Studies
Laughton-Corbett Research Fellow
Projects
The History of Wargaming
King’s has a heritage of wargaming stretching back to the 19th century which inspired the team to collaborate with researchers around the world with developing understanding of the history of wargaming both in the UK and abroad.
Developing Wargaming as an Academic Discipline
Developing Wargaming as an Academic Discipline remains central to the research we do at King’s. It was the focus research and seminar theme for 2020-2021 that explored how we can build an integrated, globally-recognised academic field in which knowledge about wargaming may be produced, preserved, and transmitted.
Naval Wargaming
King’s has a long heritage and connection with Naval Wargaming. Researchers study the theory and practice of naval wargaming and as an educational tool as part of King’s broader maritime and naval research programme.
King's College London Crisis Simulation
The King's College London Crisis Simulation (KCLCS) is a student-led simulation within the Department of War Studies. Played over the course of a weekend in the spring term, it invites students to take up the role of leaders, diplomats, and generals for a multitude of countries and organisations in crafting a coherent national strategy and execute it in the face of an escalating crisis scenario.
Rapporteurs and Analysts Training Programme
The annual programme provides King’s students with an opportunity to gain training to support King’s researchers in the execution of wargames for research purposes.
Activities
Wargaming Public Lecture Series
The School of Security Studies launched a public wargaming lecture series to mark the establishment of the Wargaming Network in 2018. Each academic year the lectures explore a particular theme covering a range of wargaming and simulation topics or questions.
Building the Future of Wargaming
The 'Building the Future of Wargaming' event kickstarted the first King's Wargaming Alumni Weekend in celebration of the first-year anniversary of the Network. Members delivered an overview of the purpose and aims of the Network as well as highlighting its achievements over the last year.
Wargaming COVID-19 Pandemics Effects
The Network convened scholars, professional wargamers and government officials in April 2020 to examine how novel wargaming methods can help us understand the short and long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
King’s Wargaming Network ‘welcome’ event
Each year the Wargaming network hosts special events for King’s students and staff to learn about the network and wargaming.
Wargaming Week at King’s
King’s Wargaming Network presents a week of wargaming activities covering academic lectures, student research expo, wargames, discussion panels and workshops.
Special lectures, events, seminars and podcasts
Throughout the year special events feature as part of the Wargaming Networks programme, usually hosted by academic staff or PGR students across a broad spectrum of topics.
The King’s Wargaming Lecture
Each year a King’s scholar or researcher presents a special lecture on Wargaming. This special lecture marks the anniversary of the creation of the Wargaming Network at King’s.
Events
King's Wargaming Week 2025
Explore the future of wargaming through hands-on games, expert panels, and innovative designs at Wargaming Week 2025.
Please note: this event has passed.
Research Wargame: Jaws of the Dragon
Jaws of the Dragon is a professional wargame simulating a blockade of Taiwan by China in the near future. Designed to be as accurate as possible military and...
Please note: this event has passed.
Politics of Play: Wargaming with the US Military – Book Launch
From the Russian invasion of Ukraine to the Covid-19 pandemic, wargames are a key way the US military plays out responses to current crises, explores the...
Please note: this event has passed.
King's NATO ACT Wargaming Week 2024
The Wargaming Network is pleased to invite you to join the Wargaming Week 2024 in partnership with NATO ACT.
Please note: this event has passed.
Wargaming Week 2023
Join the Wargaming Week 2023 in partnership with NATO ACT to explore the contemporary challenges in this area.
Please note: this event has passed.
Members
Staff:
- Dr David Banks – Academic Director of the Wargaming Network
- Dr Aggie Hirst – Founding Member
- Dr James WE Smith – Founding Member and Staff: Naval Wargaming, History and Strategic Studies Research lead
- Anna Nettleship – Managing Director and Founding Member
PhD Students:
- Boukje Kistemaker
- Arnel David
- Evan D'Alessandro
- Kit Perry
- Leo Keay
Previous Staff or Affiliated:
- Professor Philip Sabin – Former Co-Director and Founding Member, Emeritus Professor King’s College London
- Ivanka Barzashka – Former Managing Director and Founding Member
Groups:
- King’s War Studies Crisis Simulation Team – Student led Crisis Simulations in the Department of War Studies
Contact us
- Follow us on Twitter: @kclwargaming
- To receive updates on future events, subscribe to our newsletter
- Find us on Soundcloud
- Find us on YouTube