Management & Coordination
Strategic steering, governance, and coordination of the Action's scientific and administrative workstreams.
COST Action · European Cooperation in Science & Technology
Networking European Security Knowledge
An inclusive, multidisciplinary network integrating diverse perspectives on European defense and security — bridging the academia-policy divide and cultivating the next generation of security scholars.
Security Studies
European Defense
Strategic Autonomy
Policy Impact
About
Overcoming fragmentation in European security studies
NetSec addresses the fragmentation of Europe's intellectual and analytical base in security studies — fragmentation that hinders the EU's pursuit of strategic autonomy and its ability to respond to complex security challenges.
The Action fosters synergies across national and local epistemic communities, bridges the academia-policy divide, and addresses gender and generational imbalances in the field. Through interdisciplinary research, annual conferences, policy workshops, a mentorship program, and a summer school, NetSec contributes to a cohesive European security studies community.
By connecting academic, policy, and practitioner communities across the continent, NetSec advances Europe's strategic autonomy in an increasingly complex global security environment.
1
Inclusive Network for Knowledge Exchange
Building a multidisciplinary community across academia, policy, and practice.
2
Translating Knowledge into Policy Impact
Closing the gap between research and decision-making on European security.
3
Developing Skills, Methods & Tools
Equipping the next generation of security scholars to address fragmentation.
Structure
Four Working Groups
The Action's three objectives are pursued through four interconnected Working Groups, each anchored in a distinct mission and contributing to the wider network.
Framework Development
Constructing shared analytical frameworks that integrate diverse perspectives on European defense and security.
Tools & Training
Developing methodological tools, training resources, and a summer school for the next generation of security scholars.
Inclusion & Dissemination
Stakeholder engagement, inclusion, geographical and disciplinary diversity, and outreach to broader audiences.
Governance
Management Committee
The Management Committee oversees the Action, with representatives from each participating COST Member country. Profiles will be published here as they are confirmed.
Action Chair
To be announced
Institution · Country
Vice Chair
To be announced
Institution · Country
Science Communication
To be announced
Institution · Country
Grant Holder
To be announced
Institution · Country
Calendar
Events
Annual conferences, policy workshops, training schools, and short-term scientific missions across the network.
NetSec Inaugural Meeting
The first plenary meeting of the Action, gathering Management Committee members and Working Group leads to align on workstreams.
Location & date — to be announcedAnnual NetSec Conference
Flagship interdisciplinary conference on European security studies, open to academics, policy-makers, and practitioners.
Details — to be announcedSummer School
A residential summer school on methods and tools for early-career security researchers.
Details — to be announced
Research
Outputs
Publications, policy briefs, training materials, and open resources produced by the network.
Forthcoming
Initial policy briefs on strategic autonomy and European security cooperation will be released as Working Groups produce their first deliverables.
Forthcoming
Peer-reviewed scientific publications from collaborative research projects across the Action.
Forthcoming
Open educational resources developed by WG3 for the next generation of security scholars.
Updates
News
Announcements, calls, and milestones from the NetSec community.
NetSec is launching
The COST Action is preparing its first call for Working Group participation and short-term scientific missions.
Get in touch →Open Calls
Calls for STSMs, conference grants, and Working Group expressions of interest will be published here.
Subscribe for updates →Network Partners
Confirmed COST Member countries and partner institutions will be listed here as the Action ramps up.
Learn more →
Get in touch
Contact
Researchers, policy-makers, and practitioners interested in joining or collaborating with NetSec are welcome to reach out.
Reach the Action
We welcome enquiries from prospective Working Group members, MC representatives, and external collaborators.
Email
contact@netsec-cost.eu
Web
netsec-cost.eu
Network
Find us on the COST website & partner channels.