Defence Studies is a scholarly journal aimed at the study of contemporary defence and emergent warfare from both a theoretical and empirical perspective. The scope of the journal is set to examine how armed forces seek to engage with conceptual, strategic and operational challenges. We welcome papers that consider how states and non-state actors think and determine insecurities through defence policies. The journal also encourages papers that engage with how defence strategy is constructed and operationalised. Following this, we look for papers that explore operational deployment in conflict zones and alternative battlespaces. The journal is an arena for debate in and around defence studies from both traditional and critical studies. We welcome scholars who explore these debates in the areas of war studies, strategic theory, policy studies, critical security as well as case study, regional and global comparisons. The journal has recently published on force transformation, cyber defence, counter-insurgency (COIN), naval warfare and tactical nuclear strategy.
Articles and essays are aimed at defence scholars, analytics and professionals as well as those in war and conflict studies. The journal is especially keen to appeal to those working on defence from cross-disciplinary and policy perspectives. While we note the emphasis in relating to those looking for discussion and analysis without the depths of theoretical meandering, we aim to indicate how the nature and character of war are influenced by the martial, political, economic and techno-scientific fields.
Submissions to Defence Studies will proceed through a double-blind peer review process. Referees are drawn from proven defence and war studies experts in academia, think tanks, non-governmental organisations and, on occasion, defence and police forces.
