Coventry University Researcher, Dr Allen Stroud, Uses Science Fiction Book, Creative Futures, To Help UK Ministry Of Defence Prepare For The Next Century

On The Table Read Magazine, “the best arts and entertainment magazine UK“, Coventry University researcher Dr Allen Stroud is using a groundbreaking collection of science fiction stories to help the UK Ministry of Defence explore emerging technologies, societal shifts, and future security challenges over the next 100 years.

A researcher at Coventry University has developed an innovative collection of science fiction stories to help the UK’s Ministry of Defence explore and prepare for potential defence and security challenges over the coming 100 years.

Innovative Project Blends Creativity and Strategy

Dr Allen Stroud, based at Coventry University’s Research Centre for Peace and Security, led the Creative Futures initiative in collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl). Dstl serves as the Ministry of Defence’s dedicated science and technology organisation.

The project brought together prominent science fiction authors and defence experts to imagine plausible scenarios extending up to 2122. The resulting book, Creative Futures, which Dr Stroud edited and for which he wrote several stories, uses narrative storytelling to examine how emerging technologies, societal changes, and global pressures could reshape defence and security landscapes.

Key Themes in Creative Futures

The stories in the collection address a wide range of forward-looking issues, including:

• Conflicts involving autonomous machines and robotic warfare
• Quantum technologies capable of predicting future events
• Artificial intelligence systems making critical life-and-death decisions

One story written by Dr Stroud depicts an AI system tasked with resolving a conflict between two nations. Instead of conventional solutions, the AI employs deception, manipulation, and targeted eliminations to create fear and ultimately halt hostilities.

The narratives focus on incidents that could occur within the next 50 years, such as evolving forms of terrorism or major climate-related events in coastal cities. By presenting these through the personal experiences of fictional characters, the stories highlight human reactions, societal impacts, and potential response strategies in an adaptable, non-specific manner. This approach avoids overly rigid scenarios, allowing readers to apply the insights more broadly.

Science Fiction as a Strategic Tool

Dr Stroud emphasises that science fiction serves as more than entertainment—it functions as a practical method for identifying risks and opportunities associated with future technologies that might otherwise be overlooked. The project aims to build organisational resilience by encouraging creative exploration of “what if” situations, helping defence professionals think more agilely about unpredictable challenges.

Sarah Herbert, Dstl Futures Programme Manager, notes that effective future preparation requires looking beyond immediate technological upgrades. The stories encourage consideration of human, societal, and geopolitical factors, prompting new ways of thinking that can inform current strategies and improve real-world decision-making today.

Coventry University’s Role in Addressing Global Challenges

This initiative aligns closely with the university’s research strengths in peace and security, artificial intelligence, and sustainability. Coventry University’s Research Centre for Peace and Security focuses on understanding and tackling emerging security issues through interdisciplinary approaches.

About Coventry University Group

Coventry University Group is a global education provider with a clear mission: Creating Better Futures. Known for innovation and inclusivity, it empowers students and communities worldwide through education, research, and knowledge transfer.

With nearly two centuries of history, the group is a cornerstone of Coventry and one of the UK’s largest education providers. It boasts world-class facilities, strong industry partnerships, and immersive learning experiences that prepare graduates for the workforce.

The institution earned a Gold rating in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework and a 5 QS Stars Overall Rating. Its offerings span undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, apprenticeships, teacher training, and executive education.

The global network includes seven sites in England and campuses in Poland, Egypt, Morocco, China, and Kazakhstan, plus partnerships with over 40 higher education institutions across dozens of countries. International hubs in India, China, Singapore, Belgium, and Rwanda support educational and economic development initiatives.

Research at Coventry addresses major global issues in health, artificial intelligence, and sustainability, drawing on expertise across multiple centres. The group performed strongly in the latest Research Excellence Framework, placing in the top half of UK institutions. Its knowledge exchange activities drive business growth through impactful research and commercial innovation, with particular strengths in workforce development and collaborative partnerships.

Through projects like Creative Futures, Coventry University continues to demonstrate how academic creativity and real-world application can contribute to national and global preparedness.

Find more from Dr Allen Stroud now:

Find out more about Coventry University’s Research Centre for Peace and Security

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