New videos share details of nine UNSW projects funded from the 2024 Security & Defence PLuS (S&D+) Seed Grant scheme.
How can integrated deterrence be reimagined to strengthen alliances like AUKUS? Could an online database of emerging space norms help foster global cooperation in this contested domain? Or might a machine learning breakthrough engineer stronger, damage-resistant materials that revolutionise defence infrastructure?
These are just a few of the critical questions being explored through nine pioneering projects funded by the inaugural Security & Defence PLuS (S&D+) Seed Grant scheme.
Security & Defence PLuS is the flagship program of PLuS Alliance, a global partnership which combines the strengths of three leading research universities on three continents – UNSW, King’s College London, and Arizona State University (ASU) – to solve global challenges.
In 2024, the program provided seed funding to groundbreaking research initiatives addressing critical challenges in security and defence. The scheme, which fosters collaboration among the AUKUS member nations, supported research in diverse areas, from climate security to supply chain resilience, artificial intelligence and more.
Up to US$15,000 in grants is available for trilateral university collaborations and US$10,000 for bilateral projects. The grants are designed to support the very early stages of academic-led research, helping projects establish a foundation for future development and positioning them to seek additional funding.
In addition to four trilateral projects, experts from UNSW Sydney’s Faculty of Engineering, UNSW Canberra’s School of Humanities & Social Sciences, and UNSW Canberra’s School of Systems & Computing are collaborating on three bilateral projects with ASU and two with King’s College London.
Watch videos about the projects
These videos spotlight projects that received funding in 2024. They feature insights from the academics driving the projects as they outline their focus, proposed solutions and intended outcomes, offering a glimpse into the future impact of their research.
Emerging Space Norms: An Online Database
Trilateral Project: ASU, King's College London, UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Mark Hilborne, Senior Lecturer in the School of Security Studies, King's College London
Duncan Blake, Lecturer, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Professor Diana Bowman, Associate Dean for Applied Research and Partnerships, ASU Law, ASU
Innovating Defence Simulation for Military Ethics Training
Trilateral Project: ASU, King's College London, and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Deane-Peter Baker, Associate Professor of Ethics, School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Professor David Whetham, Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession, Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Dr Heather Lum, Assistant Professor Human Systems Engineering, ASU
Cyber Security as Statecraft in the Indo-Pacific
Trilateral Project: ASU, King's College London, and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Tim Stevens, Reader in International Security, Department of War Studies, King's College London
Dr Elena Steiner, Associate Research Scientist, Global Security Initiative, ASU
Professor Debi Ashenden, Director of the Institute for Cyber Security, UNSW Canberra
Understanding Integrated Deterrence: A Framework for the AUKUS Context
Trilateral Project: ASU, King's College London and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Thorin Wright, Associate Professor in the School of Politics and Global Studies, ASU
Dr Sally Burt, Lecturer in the School of Humanities & Social Sciences, UNSW Canberra
Dr Andrew Corbett, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies Education, Defence Studies Department, King's College London
Professor Wyn Bowen, Head of the School of Security Studies, King's College London
Climate Change in UK and Australian Defence Strategies
Bilateral Project: King's College London and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Hillary Briffa, Senior Lecturer in National Security Studies, Kings College London
Professor Anthony Burke, Professor of Environmental Politics and International Relations, UNSW Canberra
Dr Pauline Heinrichs, Lecturer in War Studies (Climate and Energy), King's College London
AI-Driven Decision Support for Defense Asset Management under Uncertainty
Bilateral Project: King's College London and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Professor Rym M'Hallah, Professor of Systems Engineering, Department of Engineering, King's College London
Dr Hasan Turan, Senior Lecturer and Research Lead, Capability Systems Centre, UNSW Canberra
Machine Learning for Designing Damage-Resistant Alloys
Bilateral Project: ASU and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Dr Bernd Gludovatz, Associate Professor of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, UNSW Sydney
Dr Qijun Hong, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, School for Engineering of Matter, Transport and Energy, ASU
AI and Swarm Systems: Disruptive Impacts on Intelligence and Global Security
Bilateral Project: ASU and UNSW Canberra
Project Co-Leads:
Professor Katina Michael, School of Computing, Informatics and Decision Systems Engineering, ASU
Professor Hussein Abbass, School of Systems & Computing, UNSW Canberra
Professor Kathleen M. Vogel, School for the Future of Innovation in Society, ASU
Information on the 2025 Seed Grant Scheme will be shared soon. If you are interested in finding out more about partnering with or funding these projects, please contact Security & Defence PLuS: securitydefence@plusalliance.org
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