Stirling students take part in NATO simulation exercise

Three politics students – Katy Smith, Beth Howe and Dylan Coker – have taken part in this year’s Model NATO event organised by the British International Studies Association (BISA) in partnership with the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).

The annual exercise aims to replicate the works of the North Atlantic Council – NATO’s principal political decision-making body – by simulating the response to a major crisis.

More than 100 participants from 32 universities across the UK, Canada and France took part in the event held on February 25 at the FCDO offices in London.

(l-r) Dylan Coker, Katy Smith and Beth Howe

The 2026 event began with a welcome from Juliet Dryden (BISA CEO/Director) and Professor Mark Webber (University of Birmingham and Model NATO Academic Lead), followed by a virtual talk from UK Ambassador to NATO, Angus Lapsley, and Deputy UK Ambassador to NATO, Ingrid Southworth.

They gave students some tips on negotiation skills, and how to get the most from the day.

Two thirds of the participating students sat on the Military Committee, where they were tasked with agreeing a detailed set of actions to be endorsed in a final declaration by a simulated North Atlantic Council - NATO’s highest authority.

Each student had been given a NATO ally to represent and had done research into their country’s resources and political positions prior to the Model. They had also been given a briefing outlining the goals of the Model.

The agenda of the day focussed on enhancing deterrence and defence to the east of the Alliance with each committee given the task of agreeing a statement that pointed towards this aim.

All students received a commemorative certificate for their participation in the event.

Learning opportunity

Megan Dee, Senior Lecturer in International Politics at the University of Stirling, who served as the Team’s mentor, said: “Model NATO is a fantastic active learning opportunity, providing our students with first-hand insight of NATO, international negotiation and diplomacy.

“The students did a great job, applying their skill in communication and argumentation, all while having opportunity to network and receive career advice from officials in the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.”