Strategic and Defence Studies Centre
Encyclopedia
The Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) is a university centre that was situated in the former Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
(RSPS) at the Australian National University
. It is Australia's oldest-established centre for the study of strategic, defence and wider security issues and a leading regional think tank
on these topics. The Centre was established in 1966 by Professor T.B. Millar, then a senior fellow at the ANU's Department of International Relations, in order to "advance the study of Australian, regional, and global strategic and defence issues". The current head of SDSC is Professor Hugh White.
The key priorities of the SDSC are to "contribute to the national public debate on strategic, defence and wider security issues [...], foster regional dialogue and interactions on security questions [...], publish top quality scholarly research [and] deliver high-quality graduate teaching"
To do so, the SDSC publishes the peer-reviewed Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence as well as the SDSC Working Papers. Additionally, it attracts highly regarded speakers (both from academia and the defence community) in its seminar and conference program. It awards high-performing PhD students with the Sir Arthur Tange PhD Scholarships in Strategic & Defence Policy (named in honour of the former Australian Secretary of Defence
) and outstanding postgraduate students with the T.B. Millar Scholarship.
The SDSC staff gives frequent lectures and seminars for other departments within the ANU and other universities, as well as to various government departments. The Centre has also assisted Australia's major defence training institution, the Australian Defence College
, with the strategic studies sections of its courses. Members of the Centre provide advice and training courses in strategic affairs to the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
. The SDSC, furthermore, delivers the Graduate Studies in Strategy and Defence Program and is host of the Boeing Library.
The staff of the SDSC has established professional links with other Australian and overseas universities and centres specialising in strategic and security issues as the Centre aims to foster an enhanced pattern of liaison through the exchange of ideas, personal contacts and, where appropriate, joint projects. The scholars at the SDSC do also provide expert commentary on important defence issues to the Australian and overseas media. Current staff include thinkers at the forefront of Australia's strategic debate, such as Prof. Hugh White, Prof. Desmond Ball, Prof. Paul Dibb, Dr. Rob Ayson, Admiral Chris Barrie (former Chief of Defence Force), Dr. Daniel Marston, Dr. Ron Huisken, Dr. Stephen Frueling, and Dr. Brendan Taylor.
The SDSC is part of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific
, a non-governmental process
for second track dialogue on security and defence issues in Asia Pacific.
the library expanded in the late 1980s to include an extensive range of books and journals on defence policy and planning, military studies and regional security issues.
The Boeing Library is important to the academic and research staff at the Centre as well as at the ANU. Its holdings cover the following fields: Australian defence policy and planning, military studies
, classical theorists on the causes and conduct of war
, the laws of armed conflict, ethics
and nuclear issues (like proliferation
and arms control
). The library keeps important collections on the United Nations
and peacekeeping
, and the politics, society and foreign and defence policies of the countries in the Asia-Pacific
. It continues to subscribe to major strategic and defence journals which are not part of the main University library collection.
So far, the Boeing Library is not a borrowing library, but is open to the public for 'in-house' use during weekdays.
Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies
The Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies was founded in 1946 as an institute of advanced study at the Australian National University in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory.-History:...
(RSPS) at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. It is Australia's oldest-established centre for the study of strategic, defence and wider security issues and a leading regional think tank
Think tank
A think tank is an organization that conducts research and engages in advocacy in areas such as social policy, political strategy, economics, military, and technology issues. Most think tanks are non-profit organizations, which some countries such as the United States and Canada provide with tax...
on these topics. The Centre was established in 1966 by Professor T.B. Millar, then a senior fellow at the ANU's Department of International Relations, in order to "advance the study of Australian, regional, and global strategic and defence issues". The current head of SDSC is Professor Hugh White.
The key priorities of the SDSC are to "contribute to the national public debate on strategic, defence and wider security issues [...], foster regional dialogue and interactions on security questions [...], publish top quality scholarly research [and] deliver high-quality graduate teaching"
To do so, the SDSC publishes the peer-reviewed Canberra Papers on Strategy and Defence as well as the SDSC Working Papers. Additionally, it attracts highly regarded speakers (both from academia and the defence community) in its seminar and conference program. It awards high-performing PhD students with the Sir Arthur Tange PhD Scholarships in Strategic & Defence Policy (named in honour of the former Australian Secretary of Defence
Arthur Tange
Sir Arthur Harold Tange AC, CBE was a prominent Australian senior public servant of the middle to late 20th century....
) and outstanding postgraduate students with the T.B. Millar Scholarship.
The SDSC staff gives frequent lectures and seminars for other departments within the ANU and other universities, as well as to various government departments. The Centre has also assisted Australia's major defence training institution, the Australian Defence College
Australian Defence College
The Australian Defence College comprises three tri-service educational organisations operated by the Australian Defence Force in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory:* the Centre for Defence and Strategic Studies ,...
, with the strategic studies sections of its courses. Members of the Centre provide advice and training courses in strategic affairs to the Australian Department of Defence and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Australia)
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is a department of the government of Australia charged with advancing the interests of Australia and its citizens internationally...
. The SDSC, furthermore, delivers the Graduate Studies in Strategy and Defence Program and is host of the Boeing Library.
The staff of the SDSC has established professional links with other Australian and overseas universities and centres specialising in strategic and security issues as the Centre aims to foster an enhanced pattern of liaison through the exchange of ideas, personal contacts and, where appropriate, joint projects. The scholars at the SDSC do also provide expert commentary on important defence issues to the Australian and overseas media. Current staff include thinkers at the forefront of Australia's strategic debate, such as Prof. Hugh White, Prof. Desmond Ball, Prof. Paul Dibb, Dr. Rob Ayson, Admiral Chris Barrie (former Chief of Defence Force), Dr. Daniel Marston, Dr. Ron Huisken, Dr. Stephen Frueling, and Dr. Brendan Taylor.
The SDSC is part of the Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific
Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia Pacific
The Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific is a "non-governmental process for dialogue on security issues in Asia Pacific." There are currently twenty member committees of CSCAP The Council for Security Cooperation in the Asia-Pacific (CSCAP) is a "non-governmental (second track)...
, a non-governmental process
for second track dialogue on security and defence issues in Asia Pacific.
Boeing Library
The Boeing Library is a library based at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre. The library started in the 1960s and served as a small reading room for the staff of the SDSC, which was then a research centre only. With the assistance of an annual grant by Boeing AustraliaBoeing Australia
Boeing Australia Holdings Pty Ltd, or simply Boeing Australia, is Boeing's largest footprint outside the United States. Established in 2002, the company oversees its seven wholly owned subsidiaries, consolidating and co-ordinating Boeing’s businesses and operations in Australia.Boeing has played an...
the library expanded in the late 1980s to include an extensive range of books and journals on defence policy and planning, military studies and regional security issues.
The Boeing Library is important to the academic and research staff at the Centre as well as at the ANU. Its holdings cover the following fields: Australian defence policy and planning, military studies
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
, classical theorists on the causes and conduct of war
War
War is a state of organized, armed, and often prolonged conflict carried on between states, nations, or other parties typified by extreme aggression, social disruption, and usually high mortality. War should be understood as an actual, intentional and widespread armed conflict between political...
, the laws of armed conflict, ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
and nuclear issues (like proliferation
Nuclear proliferation
Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, to nations which are not recognized as "Nuclear Weapon States" by the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the...
and arms control
Arms control
Arms control is an umbrella term for restrictions upon the development, production, stockpiling, proliferation, and usage of weapons, especially weapons of mass destruction...
). The library keeps important collections on the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
and peacekeeping
Peacekeeping
Peacekeeping is an activity that aims to create the conditions for lasting peace. It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking....
, and the politics, society and foreign and defence policies of the countries in the Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific
Asia-Pacific or Asia Pacific is the part of the world in or near the Western Pacific Ocean...
. It continues to subscribe to major strategic and defence journals which are not part of the main University library collection.
So far, the Boeing Library is not a borrowing library, but is open to the public for 'in-house' use during weekdays.