&
The Role of Higher Education in Defence Policy, Military Strategy and
Operational Planning
Sir David Bell, the Vice Chancellor of the University of Reading, Professor Colin S. Gray and Dr
Geoff Sloan would like to invite you to a General Dynamics & University of Reading seminar to be
held in the Senior Common Room, Park House, University of Reading, from 11.30-5 pm, on
11th December 2013. The seminar will explore the role of higher education in the successful
development of defence policy, military strategy and operational planning.
Professor Alan Cromartie will chair under Chatham House Rules.
Speakers:
Captain David Reindorp Royal Navy – ‘Tales from Academia’.
Professor Colin S. Gray, University of Reading – ‘The Education of Defence Planners’.
Brigadier Richard Spencer, Royal Marines – ‘Tales from the Operational Headquarters’.
Vignettes:
Representatives from the Royal Navy, Army and Royal Air Force will outline their respective
Service view of higher education and approach to working with it.
Plenary:
University of Reading Visiting Professor Air Chief Marshall Sir Brian Burridge will chair.
Refreshments will be available from 1100.
The seminar will begin at 1130.
A light lunch will be served between 12.30 to 1.30pm.
We look forward to seeing you at the seminar. Please confirm your acceptance of this invitation by
contacting the Seminar Organiser, Ms Norma Rossi at n.rossi@pgr.reading.ac.uk, by the 2nd
December.
Programme:
1100
Time
1130
Event
Coffee/Tea available for attendees
1130
1145
Welcome and Introduction:
 Professor Tony Downes – Deputy Vice
Chancellor
 Professor Alan Cromartie – Department of
Politics and International Relations
1145
1230
Paper One: ‘Tales from Academia’
Captain David Reindorp Royal Navy
1230
1330
Lunch
1330
1415
Paper Two: ‘Between Prudence and Paranoia - The
Education of Defence Planners’
Professor Colin Gray – Centre for Strategic Studies
To include 15 minutes for
questions
1430
1515
Paper Three: ‘Tales from the Operational
Headquarters’
Brigadier Richard Spencer Royal Marines
To include 15 minutes for
questions
1515
1530
Coffee/Tea
1530
1600
Vignettes - The Service view of Higher Education:



1600
1700
Lieutenant Commander Lawrence Kies RN
Lieutenant Colonel Harold Simpson AGC
Group Captain Peter Squires RAF
Plenary – to be chaired by Air Chief Marshall Sir
Brian Burridge – Visiting Professor, University of
Reading
Notes
Park House
To include 15 minutes for
questions