What does Sea Power Centre - Australia do?
Research Section
The Research Section in the SPC-A performs a number of roles above and beyond its obvious task of conducting research. The Research Section is also involved in:
- preparing and editing SPC-A Working Papers, Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs, Semaphore and other documents;
- conducting presentations, lectures and seminars, eg. the Maritime Studies Program and the RAN Sea Power Conference;
- conducting the Peter Mitchell Essay Competition on behalf of CN;
- contributing to, and sponsoring, Maritime Doctrine;
- liaising with the Centre for Maritime Policy on research tasks;
- providing advice to the Joint Doctrine Working Group and other Defence 'think tanks';
- conducting CN-directed research as required;
- lecturing to high schools, colleges and other community groups;
- developing accounts of Australian Maritime Campaigns in conjunction with the Air Power Development Centre.
Naval History Section
The History Section also undertakes a myriad of important functions and aims to engage the general public and academic community in the history of naval operations and campaigns by:
- responding to Ministerial Representations and questions on notice;
- acting as the first point of contact for information on naval operations;
- collecting reports of naval operations;
- storage and collation of historical records and documents;
- ensuring that the RAN's role in joint and combined operations is recorded;
- liaison with the Australian War Memorial, National War Museum, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and other historical sites around Australia;
- editing, publishing and authoring historical publications;
- conducting history and strategic studies seminars eg the Synott Lecture Series and the King Hall Navy History Conference;
- deploying as necessary to collect historical records and data.
Conferences and Seminars
The SPC-A conducts one major international conference each year, with conferences on naval history alternating with conferences on contemporary naval or maritime issues.
In 2003 the SPC-A, in conjunction with the University of New South Wales and the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA), conducted the third biennial conference in the King-Hall Naval History Conference series entitled The Navy and the Nation. In 2004 the SPC-A conducted its biennial contemporary maritime issues conference entitled Positioning Navies for the Future in conjunction with the Pacific 2004 International Maritime Exhibition.
In addition to conferences, the SPC-A conducts a variety of workshops, seminars and the annual Maritime Studies Period (MSP). The MSP in 2002 was held as a seminar and discussed 'The Protection of Maritime Resources'. In 2003, the MSP addressed 'Maritime Operations in the Persian Gulf'. This MSP covered the full extent of naval operations in the Gulf, the theme being 'The Navy in the Gulf: 1990-2003'. In 2004, the MSP dealt with 'ADF Training in Australia's Maritime Environment' and was again run as a seminar.
The SPC-A also routinely delivers lectures and presentations on maritime strategy, maritime affairs and naval history to naval officers as part of their training. This includes the Junior Officers Strategic Studies Course (JOSSC) and the Junior Officers Management Course (JOMC). It also lectures and presents at ADFA, to Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) officers, Australian Command and Staff College students, and a wide range of groups and organisations, both academic and community based. The aim is to broaden the scope and increase the number of organisations to which lectures and presentations are delivered. This will include the Australian Defence Force Warfare Centre (ADFWC), Principal Warfare Officers (PWO) courses, and the Petty Officers Management Course and hopes to incorporate students at the Royal Military College (RMC) and Army Intermediate Staff Course in the lecturing timetable in the near future.
For more information on our conferences and seminars please visit the Future Events Diary section of this website.
Publishing
Doctrine Series
One of the most significant SPC-A publications is RAN Doctrine I, Australian Maritime Doctrine (AMD1), published in 2000. It is the RAN's keystone doctrine, describing what the RAN contributes to Australia's national security and how it does it. AMD1 brings together in an Australian context the key concepts and themes of maritime power, and explains them in a clear and straightforward manner. It is a fundamental resource for training our personnel in these issues, and equally a key element in our work to ensure that all Australians understand the issues of maritime power.
The second volume of the RAN Doctrine series, The Navy Contribution to Australian Maritime Operations (NCAMO), was developed throughout 2004 and published in 2005.
It is planned to update AMD 2005/2006 for publishing in 2008. Both publications will then be updated at four yearly intervals.
Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs and Working Papers
The SPC-A produces two main publication series: Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs and Working Papers. Papers in Australian Maritime Affairs allow for the distribution of substantial work by members of the Royal Australian Navy, as well as members of the Australian and international community, undertaking original research into regional maritime issues.
The SPC-A Working Papers series is designed as a vehicle to foster debate and discussion on maritime issues of relevance to the RAN, the ADF and to Australia and the region. Graduates of strategic studies programs will be invited to have their theses published through this series.
Semaphore Newsletter
The SPC-A produces a monthly newsletter, Semaphore, through which issues related to maritime strategy, naval history, or doctrine can be raised by individuals and organisations wishing to express an opinion.
Other Publications
In some cases commercial publication houses are used to publish SPC-A works where a wider public distribution is warranted. Some publications are also published in conjunction with other organisations, such as the Australian Defence Studies Centre (ADSC) at ADFA, the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre (SDSC) at the Australian National University (ANU), and the Centre for Maritime Policy (CMP) at the University of Wollongong. For example, the proceedings from the 2002 Maritime Studies Period, Protecting Maritime Resources, were co-published by the CMP and produced as a Paper in Australian Maritime Affairs under both logos.
For a list of our current publications and information on how to obtain a copy, please visit our Publications section.
