The Swedish Defence University (Försvarshögskolan, FHS) has decided to establish a doctoral programme in Systems Science for Defence and Security, enabling the university to admit PhD students directly in the subject. The programme will cover research areas including cyber security, defence innovation, space capabilities and military capability development.
According to the Swedish Defence University, the decision was taken by its Board on 14 October 2026. The university hopes to admit its first doctoral students during the first half of 2027.
Systems Science for Defence and Security examines the interaction between technology, people and organisations in defence and security. The research combines social sciences and engineering to address questions concerning military capabilities, operational methods and security challenges.
– Systems Science for Defence and Security bridges traditional boundaries between different research disciplines. This enables us to study complex defence and security issues from multiple perspectives, says Hans Liwång, Deputy Head of the Department of Systems Science for Defence and Security, in the university’s statement.
The research field has its roots in military technology and has developed through cooperation with other higher education institutions since 2019.
Just over ten doctoral students are currently affiliated with the university’s research in Systems Science for Defence and Security but are enrolled at other institutions. The new programme will allow the Swedish Defence University to admit doctoral students independently.
Other potential research areas include infrastructure resilience, cyber operations, psychological defence, intelligence and security services, and warfighting capabilities.