Programme · Summer Workshop

Euro-SWAMOS

The European Summer Workshop on the Analysis of Military Operations and Strategy.

About

About Euro-SWAMOS

Euro-SWAMOS aims to introduce PhD students and young scholars to terminology, concepts, analytical techniques, and illustrative cases relevant to the analysis of defence and security policies.

It is organised by the Hertie Centre for International Security and supported by the European Initiative for Security Studies (EISS). Euro-SWAMOS is funded by the Weise-Stiftung, a private German foundation.

The ambition of Euro-SWAMOS is to contribute to promoting academic excellence in Europe and to nurture the development of a new generation of scholars that engage on international security issues with their counterparts across the globe.

Euro-SWAMOS shares the same ambition, goals and approach as the Summer Workshop on the Analysis of Military Operations and Strategy (SWAMOS) organised by the Saltzman Institute at Columbia University.

The first Euro-SWAMOS took place in July 2022 at the Hertie Centre for International Security. In 2023, the programme welcomed 21 fully-funded participants from 9 to 15 July. It was directed by Mauro Gilli (ETH-Zurich), Marina Henke (Hertie School), and Hugo Meijer (Sciences Po).

Applications have closed.

Photos from previous editions

Euro-SWAMOS scene.
Euro-SWAMOS scene.
Euro-SWAMOS scene.
Euro-SWAMOS scene.

Topics covered

  • Utility and limitations of force as an instrument of policy
  • Conventional air, land and naval warfare
  • Conventional weapons and emerging technologies
  • Military interventions and asymmetric warfare
  • Approaches to evaluating tactics, operational plans, strategies and grand strategies
  • Defence budgeting and program evaluation
  • Chinese and Russian defence postures

FAQ

What are the eligibility requirements?

Applicants should be recent Ph.D. graduates (i.e., five years from the award of the degree) or Ph.D. students based in Europe with a general background in Security Studies (such as International Relations courses) but who do not yet possess specialised expertise in defence and security matters. Alumni of SWAMOS should not apply.

Admitted applicants must complete advance reading assignments and devote their full attention to the workshop during its week term.

What is the application process?

The programme admits 21 fully-funded participants every year. They receive a €1,000 stipend to cover travel and accommodation. Applications need to be submitted by 10 March 2023.

Who are the lecturers?

List of past lecturers (subject to change in future editions):

  • Aaron L. Friedberg — Professor of Politics and International Affairs, Princeton University
  • Mauro Gilli — Senior Researcher in Military Technology and International Security, ETH Zurich
  • Anita Gohdes — Professor of International and Cyber Security, Hertie School
  • Marina Henke — Professor of International Relations, Hertie School
  • Austin Long — Vice Deputy Director for Strategic Stability in the Joint Staff J5, US Department of Defense
  • Hugo Meijer — CNRS Research Fellow, Center for International Studies, Sciences Po
  • Barry R. Posen — Ford International Professor of Political Science, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
  • Nina Silove — Senior Researcher, Center for Security Studies (CSS), ETH Zurich
  • Julian Wucherpfennig — Professor of International Affairs and Security, Hertie School