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Security and Defence
On this page
Our research, expertise and partnerships play a crucial role in shaping a safer, more resilient future.
Our world-leading expertise in security, resilience, defence and emerging technologies helps address complex modern threats to our economic, technological, and environmental stability and social stability.
Working with a broad network of partners from industry, the armed forces and wider society, we are helping to build a safer future for everyone.
Our “whole-of-society” approach
In an age of increasing global threat and insecurity, defence has become a priority for the government and many organisations. We are bringing together science, technology, policy, and social understanding through our “whole‑of‑society” approach to security and defence.
This supports communities through geopolitical instability, cyber and technology-enabled attacks, economic and social shifts, and climate, ecosystem and resource-driven pressures.
We contribute to the three key areas of
security at home, strength abroad
and
sovereign capabilities
by:
advancing leading-edge research and innovation
educating the workforce across security‑relevant sectors
partnering with government, industry, and communities to tackle challenges together.
Partners in security and defence
The North East is home to a fast-growing, strategically vital Defence and Security ecosystem. Newcastle University is a founding member of the
North East Regional Defence and Security Cluster
We are signatories of the
Armed Forces Covenant,
committed to supporting serving personnel, veterans, and their families.
We bridge defence and study together. For example, the Hacking 4 MoD module, facilitated by the Common Mission Project, allows students to tackle real-world challenges set by the Ministry of Defence. This is run in over 20 universities across the UK.
We work closely with the armed forces through our support for three regional units:
Northumbrian Universities Royal Naval Unit (NURNU)
Northumbrian Universities Officer Training Corps (NUOTC)
Northumbrian Universities Air Squadron (NUAS)
The Northumbrian Universities Military Education Committee, hosted by Newcastle University, oversees the work of these military service units and represents the collective interests of the region’s five higher education institutions, offering coordination, advice, and support.
Today, we collaborate with organisations at the forefront of defence and security - from innovative SMEs to global industry leaders, Government, the military, and other partners - working together across research, innovation, and education to strengthen capability.
Our approach to partnership and collaboration
We assess new defence and security partnerships and projects on a case-by-case basis within the framework of a number of existing policies and processes, and must comply with relevant legal, ethical and professional standards.  We do not support research that is intended solely for direct offensive military activities.
Additionally, researchers and students must comply with international regulations. This could include obtaining an Export Licence when sharing information, data and equipment related to controlled technology with international partners.
You can find more detail on the process in our
Ethics toolkit for Defence and Security
Endowment Investment by the University
The University is committed to investing in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. It does not invest in companies manufacturing armaments.
More information can be found on the
University’s Endowment Investment Policy
Security and defence news
31 March 2026
Driving global innovation in more sustainable consumer products
Newcastle University and Procter & Gamble (P&G) are marking over 10 years of partnership with a new report showcasing their shared achievements and future goals.
27 March 2026
Study explores education of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children
A major new study, involving a Newcastle University academic, will explore educational experiences of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children.
17 March 2026
Newcastle researchers join new UK semiconductor centre
Newcastle joins a new £16.7m National ICT Knowledge Centre to strengthen the UK’s ability to design next-generation electronic systems and support the ambitions of the UK Semiconductor Strategy.
17 March 2026
Comment: Iran war shows how AI speeds up military ‘kill chains’
Writing for The Conversation, Craig Jones and Helen M. Kinsella discuss how the use of AI in the Iran war is the latest development to have shortened the military “kill chain”.
13 March 2026
Comment: why the Chagos Islands deal is delayed
Writing for The Conversation, Sue Farran and Colin Murray explain why the Chagos Islands deal is delayed and why Mauritius is threatening to sue the UK government
06 March 2026
New guide offers tools to protect women’s rights during conflict
A guide, co-authored by Newcastle University experts, aims to equip military leaders, policymakers, and civil society advocates with tools to protect women's rights in areas experiencing conflict.
Security at home
Building resilient places
Our research and education are strengthening national resilience in areas such as:
cyber security
public health
energy
infrastructure
food security
We partner with government, industry, local resilience forums, and communities to improve preparedness for crises and strengthen national capacity to respond to evolving threats.
Resilient infrastructure
Our research on secure, climate‑adapted infrastructure systems helps safeguard essential services. This includes water supplies, warmth, lighting, communications and mobility.
Food security
We support food security through research and education on:
sustainable agriculture
smart technologies
crop science
and resilient supply‑chain modelling across diverse environmental conditions.
This includes our two farms, which provide unique research and innovation spaces.
Energy security
We drive energy security through pioneering work in:
smart grids
energy storage and batteries
hydrogen systems
whole‑energy‑system integration for a reliable national supply
Cyber security
We have unique physical and virtual testing facilities. They contribute to cyber resilience through world‑class research in:
secure software systems
cryptography
human‑centred cyber‑defence
We've been an Academic Centre of Excellence in Cyber Security Research since 2013. This work supports the National Cyber Security Centre.
Public health including antimicrobial resistance
We are enabling resilient health systems through integrated expertise in:
epidemiology
data‑driven health analytics
health‑systems modelling
and community‑based interventions
This work improves preparedness, response, and long‑term population wellbeing. Our biomedical research and microbiology expertise are developing an understanding and solutions to antibiotic resistance.
Social and psychological resilience
We support societal resilience through research in:
community wellbeing
mental‑health determinants
adaptive capacity through shocks and disruptions
Trauma, rehabilitation and prostheses
We lead innovation in trauma care, rehabilitation science, and advanced prosthetics. Through this, we can improve recovery pathways and long‑term patient outcomes.
Material criticality and supply chains
We strengthen supply‑chain security through our research in:
critical materials
circular‑economy approaches
innovative and resilient manufacturing systems
Crime and policing
We support safer communities through:
applied criminology
data‑informed policing research
technology innovations that enhance public safety and investigative capability
Strength abroad
Global partnerships for collective security
Our global partnerships strengthen collective security and contribute to sustainable and economic development overseas.
International research collaborations, transnational education and capacity‑building programmes in areas such as:
climate resilience
public health
digitisation
sustainable technologies
conflict resolution
disinformation
These support stability and economic development, which contribute to global peace and prosperity.
Relationship between military and society
Newcastle University advances understanding of civil and military relations.
This includes research in:
societal resilience
defence policy
the social impacts of security institutions
Sustainable Development
Our research contributes to global stability by leading research on equitable, low‑carbon development, resilient communities, and sustainable resource management in fragile contexts.
Diplomacy and international relations
The University strengthens international security through:
scholarship on global governance
foreign policy
multilateral cooperation in conflict‑affected regions
Geopolitics and security
We provide strategic insights into shifting global power dynamics, resource competition, and regional security risks that shape international stability.
Refugee health
We support global humanitarian resilience.
Our research supports:
migrant and refugee health
culturally informed care
health‑systems strengthening in displacement settings
Post‑war reconciliation and recovery
We contribute expertise to peacebuilding and reconstruction. Our research focuses on social repair, governance reform, and inclusive recovery after conflict. This includes our partnership with Ukraine to support the training of engineers to
rebuild critical infrastructure
Disinformation
Newcastle enhances international information security through:
research on online harms
digital propaganda
the societal impacts of disinformation in geopolitical contexts
Human security
We promote human‑centred security by integrating work on:
wellbeing
rights
environmental risk
social protection within global security frameworks
Protecting heritage in conflict
Heritage provides a sense of place, identity, and belonging. Protection of heritage is inherently linked to the protection of people. We work with the heritage, military, and humanitarian sectors to conserve heritage during peacetime. This work ensures its protection during conflict or following a natural disaster.
Sovereign capabilities
Leading-edge science, engineering and technology
In partnership with industry and Government, we directly support the UK’s long‑term:
technological
industrial
strategic capabilities
Our work is helping build the UK’s industrial base in:
marine
aerospace
communications
advanced manufacturing
We are also developing capabilities in AI, biotechnology and quantum computing. These areas drive innovation across defence, national infrastructure, industry and allied collaboration.
Every year, we train thousands of talented and highly skilled graduates in science, engineering and computer science. Through developing pioneering researchers, we are helping to underpin future technology breakthroughs.
Biotech and engineering biology
Newcastle University advances sovereign capability in biotech through world‑leading work in:
synthetic biology
biomanufacturing
cellular engineering
This work underpins resilient health and bio‑innovation ecosystems.
Sensing and communications
We deliver cutting‑edge research in sensing and communications.
This includes:
resilient GNSS‑independent positioning
smart infrastructure monitoring
secure, high‑reliability communications systems
Propulsion
Our longstanding leadership in electrical power engineering drives innovations in:
electric
hybrid
hydrogen propulsion technologies
This is critical to future low‑carbon transport and defence resilience.
Quantum computing
The University strengthens the UK’s quantum capability through pioneering research in:
quantum architectures
cryogenic electronics
fault‑tolerant quantum systems
Maritime and offshore engineering
Newcastle University provides nationally important maritime and offshore engineering expertise.
From floating and fixed platforms, subsea systems, ship design, operations and maintenance to offshore energy systems and maritime autonomy to enable resilient offshore energy and maritime infrastructure.
Digital and AI
Newcastle University is a leading force in trustworthy, human‑centred, and secure AI.
This accelerates digital innovation and the responsible adoption of AI across sectors, including:
healthcare
finance
defence
environmental risks
We are playing a central role in the UK’s
new sovereign AI infrastructure
based in Newcastle.
Drones
Newcastle University strengthens sovereign drone capability through research and test‑beds for safe, resilient UAS operations. This includes autonomy, GNSS‑denied navigation, and mission management across complex urban and maritime environments.
Advanced materials
The University advances strategic materials through work in nanostructured alloys, functional composites, power‑electronics materials, and durability/through‑life performance for extreme environments.
Earth observation and geospatial intelligence
The University contributes sovereign geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) by:
integrating satellite Earth Observation (EO)
in‑situ sensing, and advanced analytics for situational awareness
environmental security
critical infrastructure decision‑support
Autonomous systems
The University contributes to national capability in autonomy.
This includes research in:
robotics
multi‑agent systems
safe, resilient autonomous decision‑making for land, sea, and air platforms
Batteries
The University’s research drives battery innovation with strengths in:
next‑generation materials
power electronics integration
full‑system testing to support secure, sovereign energy‑storage technologies