Join us for an open discussion about defence and ethics on May 19th on the TU Delft Campus
In response to rising global geopolitical tensions, the Netherlands has committed to allocating 5% of its GNP to defence, of which approximately 1.5% may be directed toward related investments. Within research institutes, especially the universities of technology, there is increasing interest in contributing to research that enhances national and European defence capabilities. Such defence-related activities may involve direct military applications or indirect, dual-use technologies.
This renewed focus on defence research, however, has raised concerns among parts of the academic community, particularly where engagement appears to be driven primarily by funding opportunities rather than by a prior and thorough consideration of moral, ethical, and societal implications. We therefore propose to organise a structured academic discussion on this topic. As a first step, it is necessary to clarify and critically examine the scope and nature of defence-related research applications.
Europe is currently anticipating potential military conflicts, including tensions with the Russian Federation to the east and with the United States in relation to Greenland to the west. The post–Cold War optimism that followed the fall of the Berlin Wall in the 1990s has largely dissipated. In this context, we suggest that five categories of action may be required to prepare for such conflicts, in which universities of technology may have a role:
- Enhancement of military capabilities (active weapon systems)
- Logistics (transport of personnel and goods)
- Protection of critical infrastructure (e.g. subsea internet cables)
- Resilience (repair, recovery, and reconstruction)
- Migration (refugee flows resulting from armed conflict)
While some of these areas are already receiving significant attention, others remain underexplored. Migration, for example, is rarely addressed in discussions of defence-related research, despite its clear relevance from a built-environment and spatial-planning perspective, as is post-conflict reconstruction.
The objectives of the proposed meeting are fourfold.
- First, to establish a shared understanding of the current landscape, including existing and emerging collaborations within this evolving context;
- Second, to critically assess the broader advantages and disadvantages of the increased emphasis on defence-related research;
- Third, to examine in greater detail the implications of each of the five categories outlined above;
- Finally, to consider whether the outcomes of the discussion could be consolidated into a formal statement or position paper.
