NATO's research in focus

In the report NATO's Research, Magnus Christiansson, Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University, describes how NATO's research activities function.

The report begins with a description of the various organizational units within NATO, followed by an analysis of what NATO's research activities entail and how they can be categorized and understood.

"In the last part, I highlight some of the choices and challenges for Sweden within the framework of NATO's research activities and briefly discuss possible directions," says Magnus Christiansson.

Central overview of NATO's research activities is lacking

NATO's research landscape is described in the report as an archipelago, with a range of different initiatives at various levels and within different fields.

"There are numerous organizational units and activities related to NATO's research. However, there is no central overview of how it is structured and funded. Different parts of NATO engage in various types of research, and they are funded by different parts of NATO's budget, or entirely outside of it," says Magnus Christiansson.

What is centralized, however, is the requirement setting for technical systems, which becomes a concrete expression of the strategic choices that member countries can make based on research results and recommendations.

Quality and follow-up

One of the challenges for NATO's research organization concerns quality and follow-up.

"It can be difficult to maintain control over an activity that is decentralized and where NATO, in practice, becomes dependent on other institutions. Many of the 'research reports' produced within the research activities are more akin to thought papers than rigorously peer-reviewed articles," says Magnus Christiansson.

Low level of knowledge about NATO's research in Sweden

He believes that the challenges with Swedish NATO membership can be divided into two dimensions: learning NATO and deciding what to do with NATO.

"This also applies to the research activities. Since NATO's research organization is fragmented and decentralized, there may be a need for some agency to be tasked with informing stakeholders in the Swedish system."

One hypothesis is that the general level of knowledge is low and very low regarding NATO's research organization.

"Increasing knowledge involves both Swedish researchers becoming aware of NATO, and promoting Swedish research as an opportunity for NATO as an organization."

There might also be a need for some agency to take on the role of national coordinator for Sweden's research within NATO.

"There is a significant challenge for Sweden to try to build and become part of the relevant networks of stakeholders with similar orientations and research profiles. This needs further investigation," he concludes.