Quakers oppose Defence Universities Alliance
Quakers in Britain have joined nine other groups in endorsing a statement from Demilitarise Education that opposes a worrying step in the militarisation of higher education.
The Defence Universities Alliance (DUA) is a new Ministry of Defence (MoD) initiative launched in April 2026, seeking 20 founding university members to create a partnership between UK higher education institutions and the military, MoD and arms manufacturers.
The universities would dedicate resources, research capacity, and career services to advancing military technology and encouraging students into militarised industries.
The statement, signed by groups including the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) and Campaign Against Arms Trade (CAAT), says the DUA represents a dangerous militarisation of higher education.
It fundamentally undermines the core purpose of universities and threatens academic freedom, the signatories say. They continue:
“At a time when devastating conflicts continue across Congo, Sudan, Ukraine, Palestine and beyond, universities should not deepen their entanglement with industries that profit from violence, displacement, occupation and human suffering.”
The statement calls on universities not to get involved in this harmful alliance.
It suggests ways in which groups and individuals can resist this development, including by engaging with university leadership, organising public events, and tracking university arms partnerships.
Hannah Brock Womack, Peace Lead at Quakers in Britain, said: “As Quakers we have a deep spiritual commitment to peace. We call on universities to continue working to address the root causes of war and violence – including poverty, injustice, and climate breakdown – rather than becoming part of the UK's war machine.”