Strategic and Defence Studies Centre
Source: https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc Parent: https://www.anu.edu.au/directories/website-directory
The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) at the Australian National University focuses on understanding the complexity of Asia’s strategic environment, Australia’s place in it, and the analysis of armed force in international affairs.
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Our community
We prepare and educate the next generation of strategic leaders – military, civilian, and academic – in Australia, Asia and the Pacific region by providing internationally recognised graduate and undergraduate degrees in strategic and defence studies.
### Bachelor of International Security Studies
### Master of Strategy and Defence
### Master of Strategic and Defence Studies
On
Thu, 18 Jun 2026
[### Strategy Amidst Indifference: Australia’s strategic engagement with the southern Indian Ocean islands 1803-2025
Strategy Amidst Indifference launch](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/event/strategy-amidst-indifference-australias-strategic-engagement-southern-indian-ocean-islands)
Mon, 13 Apr 2026
[### Voices of the Future Conference
The Voices of the Future Conference is the culmination of the Women in Strategic Policy program (WISP), co-led by The Australian National University’s Strategic and Defence Studies Centre and Girls](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/event/voices-future-conference)
Fri, 27 Mar 2026
[### State Interests and Development Politics in the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
China, Development and International Order Seminar Series](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/event/state-interests-and-development-politics-asian-infrastructure-investment-bank)
Canadian troops near Ortona in Italy, 10 December 1943. (National Archives of Canada PA 136332)
Mon, 23 Feb 2026
[### Attrition & Learning: British Empire Armies & the experience of major combat operations, 1914-45
War Studies Seminar Series](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/event/attrition-learning-british-empire-armies-experience-major-combat-operations-1914-45)
## Analysis & opinion - in the media
On
[The Conversation logo
10 March 2026
AUKUS is binding Australia to a dangerous, unpredictable leader. We need a Plan B now
Em Prof Hugh White writes for The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/aukus-is-binding-australia-to-a-dangerous-unpredictable-leader-we-need-a-plan-b-now-276364)
[The Conversation logo
09 March 2026
Australia can’t easily reduce its military dependence on the US, but with Canada, we can mitigate risk
Prof John Blaxland writes for The Conversation](https://theconversation.com/australia-cant-easily-reduce-its-military-dependence-on-the-us-but-with-canada-we-can-mitigate-risk-276528)
[25 February 2026
Militarisation of Australian universities intensifies: More than $200 million in defence contracts since 2024
Prof Peter Dean quoted in WSWS.org](https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2026/02/25/gkjb-f25.html)
[25 February 2026
Anutin’s victory gives the green light for grey capital in Thailand
Dr Greg Raymond writes for East Asia Forum](https://eastasiaforum.org/2026/02/25/anutins-victory-gives-the-green-light-for-grey-capital-in-thailand/)
On
[ANU Media
24 October 2025
Strategic Imagination: Essays in Honour of Brendan Sargeant
The Coral Bell School celebrates the life and work of Brendan Sargeant, a deeply respected scholar, strategist and mentor, whose ideas continue to shape Australian strategic thinking.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/coral-bell-school-asia-pacific-affairs/news/strategic-imagination-essays-honour-brendan-sargeant)
[07 July 2025
Faysah Abdullah: How the ASEAN program is helping her gain a deeper understanding of the different dimensions of security challenges
Faysah Abdullah is in her final semester of our Master of Strategic Studies program.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/content-centre/article/interview/faysah-abdullah-how-asean-program-helping-her-gain-deeper)
[Garth Pratten discussing the strategic & operational significance of Brunei Bay to the Borneo campaign of 1945. Vantage point is the summit of Bukit Tempayan Pisang (722m) - site of a Japanese observation post prior to the Australian landings 10 June 1945
16 May 2025
Advancing Australian Army professional military education in Borneo
Marking 80 years since WWII’s end, SDSC’s Pratten joined a Borneo staff ride, sharing insights on 1945 operations, littoral manoeuvres, coalition warfare, and strategy in tropical environments.
- Borneo](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/content-centre/article/news/advancing-australian-army-professional-military-education-borneo)
[13 May 2025
2025 update on the Australian Defence Executive Education Program on ‘Strategic Policy for the Asia-Pacific in Transition’
SDSC has tailored an executive education program specifically for Australian Defence, for policy-makers dealing with Australia’s regional security environment.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/content-centre/article/news/2025-update-australian-defence-executive-education-program)
The breadth of research expertise, as well as its continuing engagement with issues of strategic relevance is well illustrated by the initiatives managed by our academic community.
On
[### Strategic Policy for the Asia-Pacific in Transition
As Australia faces growing strategic uncertainty, preparing and educating the next generation of strategic leaders is an urgent necessity - which SDSC is meeting with this Exec Ed program for Defence.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/strategic-policy-asia-pacific-transition)
[Girls Run the World
Women in Strategic Policy (WISP)
SDSC is excited to be partnering with Girls Run The World to present the Women in Strategic Policy program, supported by a Strategic Policy program grant from the Aust. Govt. Department of Defence.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/women-strategic-policy-wisp)
[Department of Defence Imagery: 20250727
ANU-Australian Army Research Centre Fellowship
Support Army's futures planning
Expressions of interest are now open for a Research Fellowship in the Australian Army Research Centre (AARC), with flexibility of part-time or full-time. Fellowships are available to current ANU academic staff and PhD students. Fellows must be Australian citizens and be willing to obtain a security clearance.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/our-research-sdsc/anu-australian-army-research-centre-fellowship)
[### Forward presence for deterrence: Implications for the Australian Army
This report examines the role of land forces for signalling deterrence commitments, and draws lessons from historical experience for Australia and the Australian Army.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/our-research-sdsc/forward-presence-deterrence-implications-australian-army)
More research projects & strategic initiatives
Discover the range of publications by our academic community that demonstrates the commitment to scholarly excellence, and showcases our policy-relevant research expertise and engagement.
On
Reliability and Alliance Interdependence
In Reliability and Alliance Interdependence, Iain D. Henry argues for a more sophisticated approach to alliance politics and ideas of interdependence.
Building Capabilities for Earth System Governance
This Element develops a new Strategic Capabilities Framework for studying & steering complex socio-ecological systems. It is driven by the central question of what are the most essential capabilities.
Chinese Investments in Southeast Asia: Patterns and Significance
Explore Southeast Asia's complex economic ties with China. Goh and Liu's study offers a comprehensive analysis of Chinese investments from 2005 to 2019, revealing political and strategic implications.
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Academic experts
SDSC is home to high achieving academics that contribute to ground-breaking research and policy advancements in the strategic and defence fields.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/about-us/our-academic-experts-sdsc)
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HDR candidates
Our Higher Degree Research students are an integral part of our intellectual community and bring a range of experiences and expertise to their studies.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/about-us-sdsc/hdr-candidates-sdsc)
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Alumni
Our approach to education equips students with the ability to analyse, understand, and resolve the challenges of contemporary strategic studies.](https://bellschool.anu.edu.au/sdsc/about-us/alumni-sdsc)