British Army Futures Engagement Scheme Pilot for MA (Research) in Modern War Studies

British Army Futures is a Directorate in Army HQ tasked with driving change and is the organisation’s engine for long-term research, experimentation and innovation. It exists to help the Army win in competition and conflict by determining how the Army wins in the near term (in the next five years), and how it wins in the longer term (ten years and beyond). The Directorate does this by designing the approach, force structures and capability necessary to achieve advantage and provide utility. Find out more about British Army Futures.

The opportunity

The British Army Futures Engagement Pilot is a collaboration between British Army Futures and The University of Buckingham to support students engaged in MA (Research) Modern War Studies dissertations (c.25,000 words) of interest to British Army Futures. The scheme includes:

  • Reimbursement of student’s research-related travel and accommodation costs (where approved by British Army Futures).
  • British Army Futures assistance in the shaping of the research project, access to research source materials, and introductions to the wider Defence network.
  • A close working relationship between the student, their Buckingham academic supervisor and a specific Army Futures desk officer.
  • Potential impact and influence in the British Army.

Application Process

Applications should be made using the usual MA (Research) Modern War Studies application portal. Applicants should include a 500-word research proposal, with the file titled ‘British Army Futures Engagement Scheme’. The research proposal will be subsequently be assessed by the Modern War Studies Course Director and British Army Futures.

For further details, please email: Course Director, Professor Lloyd Clark lloyd.clark@buckingham.ac.uk

Important information

  • Unsuccessful applicants for the Pilot may still be awarded a place on the MA (Research) Modern War Studies programme.
  • Although British Army Futures will endorse the subject-matter of the research project, the final decision on the selection of an applicant remains with the Modern War Studies Course Director.
  • The University of Buckingham MA (Research) Regulations (see Research Degrees Handbook) remain in force.
  • No British Army Futures Engagement Scheme endorsed dissertation will require MOD security clearance, nor demand access to sources not otherwise open to university post-graduate students.
  • There will be no attempt by the MOD or Army Futures to influence or shape the research findings (other than that naturally arising from objective support to meet the requirements of the project and the degree).
  • The student author retains the copyright of the research dissertation and access to the work will only be made once the work has been examined and uploaded onto the University E-Archive of Research https://bear.buckingham.ac.uk/