ISMS Conference 2026

The International Society for Military Sciences (ISMS) was established in October 2008 by eight defence academies to advance research and academic education in the military arts and sciences. The Society builds a network for the creation, exchange, and diffusion of knowledge across a broad range of fields — from war studies, military history, and technology to leadership, law and ethics, security policy, and defence economics.

The 2026 conference theme — Military Sciences in Action: From Operational Insights to Defence Innovation — reflects a core conviction of military science: that practical experience from operations is an indispensable driver of transformation. As contemporary conflicts generate new tactical realities, military sciences must bridge the gap between operational insight and actionable innovation, integrating rigorous analysis with cutting-edge research to enhance defence capabilities in an era of rapidly evolving threats.

The conference will explore how contemporary conflicts inform defence transformation across all fields of military scientific inquiry — from war studies illuminating evolving operational patterns, hybrid tactics, and multi-domain operations, to military history contextualising current battlefield dynamics. Further themes include how military technology adapts under combined kinetic and cyber pressures, how legal and ethical frameworks address rapid capability development, how lessons from the field are translated into education curricula, and how armed forces adapt to societal expectations during conflict.

We look forward to welcoming scholars, practitioners, and military professionals to what promises to be a stimulating exchange at the intersection of operational experience and defence innovation.

Meet the team: Chair: Marzena Zakowska | National Defence University of Warsaw Co-Chair: Bill Combes | Baltic Defence College