UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA)
A community of interest for academic institutions to partner with Dstl on deterrence and related topics such as assurance, coercion and conflict escalation.
About the UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance
The UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA) aims to stimulate new thinking, and reinvigorate UK expertise, on deterrence and related topics such as assurance, coercion and conflict escalation.
Bringing together those with an interest in deterrence and assurance is at the heart of DAAA activity. We are building a community of interest, made up of academic institutions in partnership with Dstl, leveraging existing expertise, conducting new research and encouraging the development of deterrence professionals.
We provide opportunities for UK universities to host events, ranging from small seminars to large conferences, that will bring together subject matter experts, young professionals, students, government policy and strategy leads, military personnel, and other stakeholders from UK and overseas.
We are also keen to partner with, participate in and promote other relevant events at UK universities. Please let us know about events that you may be running that would be of interest to DAAA members.
U.S. Strategic Command USSTRATCOM runs a parallel DAAA activity in the United States and we regularly partner in activities such as running the 2021 U.S. Strategic Command Academic Alliance conference and workshop.
Context
It is important to have UK national expertise on this subject. The 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review highlighted that one of the UK government’s priorities is to deter state-based threats. In addition, National Security Objective 1 is defined as ‘Protect our People’, stating that the UK will ‘deter potential adversaries, including through renewal of our nuclear deterrent’.
UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance Conference
Our latest conference took place on 4 and 5 November 2024, at King’s College, London.
Events of the last 2 years have thrust deterrence and related effects such as assurance and coercion back into current debate. The security situation in Europe demands immediate attention, but a range of other challenges and issues persist. 2024 will herald a new British government and there are key elections across NATO. Who will be making sense of the security environment, and how much do established ideas persist in defining security strategies? This conference intends to stimulate discussion on a range of important issues with a focus on representing the next generation of deterrence experts.
We welcomed proposals for papers on any topic relevant to deterrence and assurance, with specific interest in:
- deterrence theory and practice in the 21st century - is ‘integrated deterrence’ achievable?
- Russian invasion of Ukraine - implications for deterrence and assurance
- strategic culture - how do we coerce people who literally don’t think like we do, and how do alliances accommodate different views?
- coercive strategies in an age of social media
- space, modern strategy and deterrence
The DAAA seeks diversity of opinions in submissions and speakers. The conference is run in an inclusive manner with a culture that encourages constructive challenge. We encourage submissions from experts at any stage of their career, especially those just beginning careers in this increasingly important area of international security studies.
Reading list
For further information on deterrence and assurance, both in theory and in practice, alliance members have drafted a reading list to provide an illustration of academic and military understandings of the concepts.
Contact us
UK DAAA: daaa@dstl.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Last updated 4 November 2024 + show all updates
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Booking details for the 2024 conference have been removed as the event is currently taking place.
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The deadline for proposals for papers has passed but you can still book tickets for the 2024 UK DAAA conference.
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Book your ticket online now to the 2024 UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance Conference.
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New conference in November 2024 and call for papers added.
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Added link to join the guestlist for the 2023 UK DAAA conference.
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Changed event detail 'Elizabeth Hall' to 'Elizabeth House'
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Add information about the 2023 UK Deterrence and Assurance Academic Alliance (DAAA) including guidance on submitting proposals for papers and case studies.
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The 2022 UK DAAA conference has now taken place.
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Registration for the 2022 conference has now closed.
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Updated information about 2022 DAAA Conference including link to registration page.
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The next DAAA conference has been postponed from January to May 2022.
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New dates announced for the DAAA conference: 11 and 12 January 2022.
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Added information about the postponement of the DAAA conference to early 2022.
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Deadline for submitting paper proposals for 2021 DAAA conference has been extended to 14 October 2021.
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Added details of 2021 UK DAAA Conference including call for papers and case studies.
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Added details of new U.S. Strategic Command Academic Alliance Conference and Workshop 2021.
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Events section and reading list attachment updated
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A new section including an attachment "Reading list"
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First published.