Our Research Programmes

RUSI's research is essential for informing policymakers and the public about pressing challenges and the options available to tackle them effectively.


Cyber and Disruptive Technologies


Cyber Strategy and Statecraft

We analyse the development and application of cyber policy and strategy, cyber as a tool of statecraft and cyberspace as an arena for geopolitical competition.

Cyber Threats and Resilience

We focus on understanding and assessing cyber threats from state and non-state actors and evaluate responses and risk management approaches to mitigate them.

Disruptive Technologies

We examine the impact of disruptive technologies on national security, economic growth and the role of technology in an era of geopolitical competition.

Defence Industries, Defence Spending, Military Domains and Strategy


Defence Acquisition and Industrial Strategy
Defence Management and Economics
Defence Strategy and Organisation
C4ISR and Emerging Tech
Integrated Air and Missile Defence

Energy Security and Climate Change


Energy and Security Programme

This research programme focuses on the national, geopolitical and environmental security risks of fossil fuel reliance and solutions for securing clean energy globally.

Environmental Crime and Climate Security Programme

This theme focuses on the multifaceted relationship between climate change, environmental and human security, activism, and organised crime.

Strategic and Security Aspects of Civil Nuclear Power

We seek to understand the role that civil nuclear power plays as an instrument of geopolitics, and how to mitigate potential security and safety risks of its spread.

Finance Security, Organised Crime and Corruption


Financial Crime Policy

This programme focuses on the development and implementation of effective anti-financial crime policies and regulation both in the UK and internationally.

Sanctions, State Threats and Economic Security

This programme focuses on sanctions, economic security, and the financial dimension of state threats.

Organised Crime and Corruption Programme

Our work on organised crime and corruption explores the dynamics of illicit markets and the drivers and enablers that sustain them in order to inform effective policy responses.

International Security


European Security in Transformation Programme

The European Security in Transformation Programme analyses perennial and emerging security challenges for the wider Euro-Atlantic region within the context of the UK’s national security.

Evolving Security of Russia and Eurasia Programme

This research programme analyses Russia’s strategic thinking, political change and its global and regional ambitions.

Navigating the Indo-Pacific Programme

This programme covers security in the region that is the global centre of gravity for economic growth, technological development, and geopolitical competition: the Indo-Pacific.

Renewing the Transatlantic Alliance for a New Security Era

A dialogue between the US and its European allies on how to refresh the transatlantic security relationship in response to a shifting international environment.

Shifting Security in Latin America Programme

We examine the fast-evolving security and defence agenda in Latin America and consider the most effective ways to counter the leading threats across the region.

The MENA Region in Flux Programme

This programme covers the evolving regional order of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), examining dynamics in and between the region’s countries as well as the region’s place in a changing world.

State Threats, Extremism and Countering Terrorism


Extremism and Terrorism Programme

This programme of work looks at potential drivers and modalities for the spread of violent ideologies.


Footnotes