About this Event
The 2026 Deterrence Alliance will be hosted at Bush House by Kings College London on 14th and 15th April. This conference intends to stimulate discussion on a range of deterrence related issues with a focus on representing the next generation of deterrence experts, across the UK, Europe and partner states.
Events of the last 12 years have thrust deterrence and related effects such as assurance and coercion back into current debate. The security situation in Europe demands immediate attention, NATO alliance is under strain from within and without, security dynamics are evolving in South Asia, the Gulf and the Indo-Pacific region, and a range of other challenges and issues are emerging. In the UK defence community, the notions of ‘raising the deterrence IQ’ and ‘raising the nuclear IQ’ are gaining traction. But in this context, who will be making sense of the security environment, and how much do established ideas persist in defining security strategies? What does ‘raising the IQ’ mean, how do we do it, who decides how or on what to focus, and where is the next generation of scholars and practitioners looking?
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.
Initial agenda
14th April, 2026
- 08:00 | Conference opens
- 08:45-09:25 | Opening address Dr Viktoria Vdovychenko
- 09:30-11:00
Panel 1A Russian invasion of Ukraine
Panel 1B Strategic Culture
Panel 1C Emerging Disruptive Technologies
- 11:00-11:30 | Coffee
- 11:30-13:00
Panel 2A Studying Russia
Panel 2B The Indo-Pacific
Panel 2C Emerging Disruptive Technologies
- 13:00-14:00 | Lunch
- 14:00-15:30
Panel 3A Transatlantic strategy
Panel 3B South Asia
Panel 3C Space
- 15:30-16:00 | Tea
- 16:00-17:30
Panel 4A NATO Europe
Panel 4B South Asia
Panel 4C Regional dynamics
- 17:30-20:00 | Drinks reception
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15th April, 2026
- 08:45-09:25 | Expert conversation – culture and psychology
- 09:30-11:00
Panel 5A Resilience and Deterrence
Panel 5B Grey zones
Panel 5C UK Officials panel
- 11:00-11:30 | Coffee
- 11:30-13:00
Panel 6A Escalation and Deterrence
Panel 6B Grey zones
Panel 6C UK Deterrence strategy
- 13:00-14:00 | Lunch
- 14:00-15:30
Panel 7A Emerging theory
Panel 7B Non-State-Actors
Panel 7C Deterrence IQ
- 15:30-16:00 | Tea
- 16:00-17:30
Panel 8A Emerging Theory
Panel 8B NATO Adaptation
Panel 8C Research culture
- 17:30-18:00 | Closing Address
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Bush House Lecture Theatre 1 BH(S)1.01, Bush House, London, United Kingdom
USD 0.00
