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What we offer

Community Consultations

Publications

Podcasts

NSC TV

Meet the team

In pursuit of the College’s whole-of-government and whole-of-nation objectives, our policy engagement activities deliver policy-relevant research, build engaged networks and communities of practice, and inform inclusive debate on national security issues, broadly defined. This ‘think tank’ side of NSC translates academic expertise and practitioner experience into policy impact.

We are a trusted strategic policy resource for Australia, guided by an Advisory Board of senior Government and University leaders.

Our diverse network – including core professional staff, ANU academics, government secondees and expert affiliates – reflects our mandate and convening power as a trusted meeting place dedicated to a secure Australian future.

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Collaborative

Bridging academic, government, industry and civic spheres.

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Policy-relevant

Prioritising contestability of topical and cross-cutting issues.

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Trusted

Secure facilities, security-cleared personnel, and government secondees.

What we offer

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Image: ANU

Publications 

Leveraging our unique position as a university-based government initiative, we produce a regular suite of policy-relevant publications providing actionable policy options to government.

The National Security Podcast 

Our weekly podcast features expert analysis, insights and commentary on the national security challenges facing Australia and the Indo-Pacific.

Public lectures and conferences

We regularly host public events to build better understanding of national security and its Australian dimensions. The signature 2024 Securing our Future conference has propelled our ongoing series of public conversations beyond Canberra. 

Closed-door roundtables  

These confidential discussions offer space for our network of experts and practitioners to exchange perspectives with high-level visitors on key security issues, and foster constructive conversations. 

Policy contestability 

We are engaged to provide a space for contestable thinking on policy initiatives or analytical judgments. This work spans our policy engagement program and the Futures Hub.

Strategic dialogues

Our 1.5 and 2nd Track dialogues provide a ‘para-diplomatic’ platform for independent experts and government to exchange views on strategic priorities, address challenges and areas of shared concern and build on opportunities for collaboration.

Parliamentary engagement

We deliver an ongoing program of trusted briefings for parliamentarians and their staff across the full spectrum of security issues – an initiative supported by the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs.

Public commentary

Our experts frequently provide insight on security and policy issues through media interviews, opinion articles and speaking engagements.

Community consultations

In 2024 and 2025 we are conducting a nationwide listening tour of consultation with a cross-section of the Australian community to build a qualitative picture of what Australians think about security, as a resource for Government and Parliament.

About the initiative

Community Consultations

Australia is not short of analysis about the unruly world beyond our shores. But if we want to comprehend the risks we face and the opportunities to secure our future, it makes sense to look in the mirror: to know what we think and why.

To that end, between November 2024 and February 2026, the ANU National Security College conducted the most extensive public consultation on national security undertaken in this country: involving more than 20,000 Australians across three survey waves, eight deliberative focus groups, written submissions and close to 500 conversations reaching every state and territory.

What we found will challenge assumptions and can inform us all: governments, parliaments, businesses and communities alike.

Explore the reports
No worries?
This report on Australian attitudes to national security, risk and resilience, draws on three nationally representative surveys (November 2024, July 2025 and February 2026 n=20,000+) and eight deliberative focus groups conducted in November 2025.
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First Nations’ perspectives on national security
This report by Pascale Taplin captures perspectives of First Nations people of northern Australia, including the Torres Strait, towards national security.
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Latest publications
On
Map of Australia and the region with the borders lit up in neon blue

Beyond the checkpoint: managing Australia’s border as a strategic economic and national security asset

In this Occasional Paper, Mike Outram argues that Australia must reconceptualise its border as a strategic asset and modernise its governance, systems and partnerships to manage risk and resilience.
Cover image of Dilnoza;s book

Internationalisation versus Securitisation

This book by Dilnoza Ubaydullaeva explores Uzbekistan's post-Soviet journey, offers a compelling case study of higher education and analyses how security and globalization clash.
Artwork depicting the potential impact of misinformation and overstimulation on the internet social media

AI, digital literacy and the future of democracy

In this Policy Options Paper, Tom Rogers urges Australia to take action to curb the impacts of disinformation, misinformation and other technological disruptions through urgent action.
Asia Policy cover

Australia’s strategic objectives in a changing regional order

This publication contains eight essays that examine Australia’s strategic priorities and challenges in a range of international relations areas and with its most important partners.
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Latest podcasts
On
The National Security Podcast
The National Security Podcast

No worries? What Australians think about security, risk and resilience

In this episode, Rory Medcalf, Tom Rogers and Tim Wilford join Sally Bulkeley to discuss the findings of NSC’s Community Consultations Report – Australia's first comprehensive research report, examining Australian attitudes to national security, and perceptions of risk and resilience.

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Spotify
Apple Podcasts
The National Security Podcast
The National Security Podcast

What is driving the war in Iran – and what comes next?

In this episode, Beth Sanner and Dr Rodger Shanahan join Justin Burke to discuss the drivers of the Iran war, and examine the broader implications for regional and global security.

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Spotify
Apple Podcasts
The National Security Podcast

Plotting a through line: February 2026 geopolitics update

In this episode, Justin Burke speaks with Euan Graham and Gorana Grgić to discuss the through lines on the surprising geopolitical events that ushered in 2026, imagining a world without the US at its center.

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Apple Podcasts
Spotify
The National Security Podcast
The National Security Podcast

Modernising Australia's border security

In this episode, Mike Outram joins Sally Bulkeley to discuss the need for Australia to reconceptualise its borders as strategic assets, the threats posed by transnational crime, and the economic benefits of modern border management.

Listen now
Spotify
Apple Podcasts
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NSC TV

Watch the latest videos from the ANU National Security College, including expert analysis, insight and commentary.

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Meet the team

Strategic Advisors

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