An update on DRN and the months ahead

Over the past few weeks, you may have noticed that we have been a little quieter than usual. After discussions within the committee, we have decided to take a strategic pause over the next six months. We would like to reassure everyone that this is a pause only, and not an end. We want to use this time to reflect on and plan for what DRN should be going forward, what value it provides to the community, and how we can best support defence-related researchers in the future. 

Since DRN was launched 10 years ago, it has grown into a supportive and collaborative space, particularly for PhD students and early career researchers. Over the years, we have hosted events, published blogs and resources, shared opportunities, and helped connect researchers across institutions and disciplines. We are extremely proud of what the community has built together. 

During this period of strategic pause, the DRN committee will be working on ideas for a future relaunch, including discussions around community engagement, activities, partnerships, and the long-term direction of the network. We are also keen to bring new voices and perspectives into these conversations, so if you are interested in joining the committee, please do reach out to us. We can be contacted at defenceresearchnetwork@gmail.com. 

Although our regular newsletter-style content will be paused, the website itself will remain active, and ad hoc blog contributions and posts remain very welcome.Most importantly, we would like to thank everyone who has contributed to DRN over the years, whether through writing, participating in discussions, or simply being part of the community. Your support, time, and enthusiasm have made DRN what it is. We look forward to sharing more updates in the months ahead. 

Your DRN Committee