Facebook Twitter Instagram
HomeNewsIdentity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces Research in Society

News

Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The First Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces Research in Society

Posted on September 4 2024 at 16:00

August 2024 saw Edinburgh Napier University host “Identity, Purpose and Belonging: The first Scottish International Conference on Armed Forces Research in Society.”

Napier’s Centre for Military Research, Education & Public Engagement (CMREPE), in partnership with the Scottish Armed Forces Evidence & Research Hub (SAFE&R), held a range of seminars, colloquiums, workshops and public events over a four-day period with delegates from across the UK, the USA, Australia and Canada.

I attended a number of these events including sessions on Military History, the Armed Forces Covenant and Transition, the Armed Forces Family and Child, and Mental Health & Wellbeing – which included a session on the development of an evidence-based suicide bereavement pack for the Armed Forces community. Some inspirational speakers included Graham Short MBE who provided valuable insight into the experiences of military children, and Jilly Carrell of Beyond The Wire who spoke very movingly about the impact of in-Service bereavement on her family.

I also took part in a hugely well attended colloquium ‘Ex-service personnel in the Criminal Justice System’. Delegates heard from a number of organisations working in this field to provide support to veterans. These included Care After Combat, Sacro, and Nacro. We also heard from Professor Gerri Matthews-Smith and Dr Christine Haddow about the ongoing research work of CMREPE. This was followed by a round table discussion giving delegates the opportunity to explore the following key questions and identify new approaches for policy and practice in this area:

  • Is the right support in place at all points of contact for the small minority of veterans in custody or who come into contact with the Justice System in Scotland?
  • Is that support reducing the risk of re-offending?
  • What support is available to spouses/partners and children?
  • What can be learned from services supporting justice involved veterans in other countries?

Findings from this round table discussion will help inform my upcoming report Veterans and the Law which will explore whether the right support is in place for the small minority of veterans in custody or who come into contact with the Justice System. I will consider the role and contribution of veterans who work or volunteer within the Justice System including the Judiciary, Police Scotland, the Scottish Prison Service, and third sector organisations supporting veterans. As with previous reports from the Scottish Veterans Commissioner’s office, I will be making outcome-focussed recommendations to the Scottish Government to support continuous improvement in support for the veteran community. 

The International Conference on Armed Forces Research in Society was a resounding success, bringing together military leaders, policymakers, healthcare professionals, and academics from around the world. The event fostered a collaborative atmosphere, where participants shared practice, innovative programmes, and research findings. In time I hope that the exchange of ideas will lead to actionable strategies and policy recommendations aimed at improving the lives of veterans and their families globally and a renewed commitment from all attendees to work together across borders to support those who have served their countries.

Programme from Identity, Purpose and Belonging conference

A programme from the Identity, Purpose and Belonging conference

With Clare Scherer from the Naval Children’s Charity

With Fiona Walker and Jilly Carrell of Beyond the Wire, and Dr Sharon McDonnell of Suicide Bereavement UK

RSS Comments

Follow us on Instagram Instagram

Great to be in the gallery for the debate on support for the veterans and armed forces community in Scotland. A consensual debate highlighting the huge value contributed by our veteran community, the support available if needed, and the progress we still need to make. Always good to see Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC and Brigadier Jody Davies MBE as well. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read the Scottish Government Support for the Veterans and Armed Forces Community 2024 report.
Great to be in the gallery for the debate on support for the veterans and armed forces community in Scotland. A consensual debate highlighting the huge value contributed by our veteran community, the support available if needed, and the progress we still need to make. Always good to see Brigadier Andy Muddiman ADC and Brigadier Jody Davies MBE as well. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read the Scottish Government Support for the Veterans and Armed Forces Community 2024 report.
15 hours ago
On International Volunteer Day, I'm celebrating the remarkable contribution that the support and dedication of volunteers make to the veteran community. As highlighted in my Anything But Uniform report, volunteering can make a huge difference in the lives of both beneficiaries and volunteers themselves. Ian Shiells, who volunteers with Fares4Free has shared his story to help raise awareness of volunteering. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read.
On International Volunteer Day, I'm celebrating the remarkable contribution that the support and dedication of volunteers make to the veteran community. As highlighted in my Anything But Uniform report, volunteering can make a huge difference in the lives of both beneficiaries and volunteers themselves. Ian Shiells, who volunteers with Fares4Free has shared his story to help raise awareness of volunteering. Click the link 'other links' in our bio to read.
1 day ago
At the @veteranshousingscotland Annual Gathering on Thursday night, we heard how the charity's focus on people and partnership has enabled it to expand services this year. It was a pleasure to catch up with Anna Wright, CEO of @armedforcescovfundtrust.
At the @veteranshousingscotland Annual Gathering on Thursday night, we heard how the charity's focus on people and partnership has enabled it to expand services this year. It was a pleasure to catch up with Anna Wright, CEO of @armedforcescovfundtrust.
6 days ago
Having served in the previous HMS SHEFFIELD, it was a privilege to witness the first cutting of steel for the next RN ship to bear this name. The T26 class is being built by BAE Systems at Govan, a notable employer of ex-Service personnel in Scotland with a supportive Veterans Employee Recognition Group. I also met members of the HMS SHEFFIELD Association whose ship was so sadly lost in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and Cdr Andrew Loring RN, whose family presented this Sheffield steel valve wheel which his father had rescued from the first HMS SHEFFIELD commissioned in 1937.
Having served in the previous HMS SHEFFIELD, it was a privilege to witness the first cutting of steel for the next RN ship to bear this name. The T26 class is being built by BAE Systems at Govan, a notable employer of ex-Service personnel in Scotland with a supportive Veterans Employee Recognition Group. I also met members of the HMS SHEFFIELD Association whose ship was so sadly lost in the Falklands conflict in 1982, and Cdr Andrew Loring RN, whose family presented this Sheffield steel valve wheel which his father had rescued from the first HMS SHEFFIELD commissioned in 1937.
1 week ago
@ScotVeteranComm on Instagram »
Loading