Oxford joins new Defence Universities Alliance

The Defence Universities Alliance was launched by the Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard MP, at the University of Manchester on 13 July 2026.

Oxford is one of 34 universities and research institutions selected from almost 100 applicants to become founding members. 

The alliance is a long-term collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, the UK Armed Forces, the Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser for National Security and the higher education sector. The initiative will seek to build a skilled workforce in areas including cyber security, robotics, artificial intelligence, aerospace engineering and advanced manufacturing. It will also connect university expertise with complex research and development challenges relating to national security and resilience. Members have signed a charter committing them to support defence-related research, promote career opportunities and strengthen collaboration between academia, government and industry.

Oxford already undertakes research and innovation relevant to defence and national security. Through its research Oxford contributes to resilience in areas such as cyber security, AI assurance, biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, energy systems, climate adaptation, infrastructure protection, secure communications, democratic governance, law, ethics and public policy. 

The University also contributes through education, policy expertise and the translation of research into practical applications, including licensing, spinout creation and industrial collaboration. Many of the technologies involved are dual use, with potential benefits for civilian society, economic growth and national resilience as well as defence.

Oxford’s participation will be guided by its commitments to academic freedom, research integrity, and ethical governance. 

Oxford’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Irene Tracey CBE, FRS, FMedSci, said: ‘The challenges facing our national security are increasingly complex and demand the very best of British research, innovation and talent. Through the Defence Universities Alliance, we will work alongside partners across academia, government and industry to ensure that world-leading research can be mobilised responsibly for public benefit, including helping to keep the UK prepared, safe and resilient.

‘At Oxford, our contribution is grounded in our core mission: advancing knowledge, educating future leaders and translating discovery into real-world impact. Our strengths in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, engineering biology, cyber security and advanced materials, together with our commitment to academic freedom, research integrity and responsible innovation, mean we are well placed to help ensure the UK has the people, partnerships and technological capability needed to meet the defence and national security challenges of the future.’

Professor Tim Dafforn, Chief Scientific Advisor, Ministry of Defence, said: ‘The Defence Universities Alliance represents a genuinely transformative step forward in how Defence partners with the UK’s world-leading academic sector. By bringing together our shared expertise, ambition and innovation, the Alliance will help us tackle some of the most complex challenges facing Defence at a strategic level. I am incredibly excited about the opportunities this creates. The DUA will fundamentally change the way Defence, universities and industry work together - strengthening our national security, creating strategic advantage and supporting growth to deliver better outcomes for the UK.’

The alliance forms part of a wider £182 million defence skills package. This includes an £80 million investment supporting 2,500 student places across 24 universities and colleges, and £50 million for five Defence Technical Excellence Colleges.