Interview with Radosław Bielawski | NATO Science & Technology Organization (STO)

The challenges associated with military service are increasingly complex and multidimensional, which is why they require an interdisciplinary approach. Effective support for service members, veterans, reservists, and their families should be based on collaboration among experts from the social sciences, psychology, medicine, security studies, and emerging technology fields.

Interdisciplinary research helps us better understand issues such as adaptation to military service, mental health, reintegration after service, family support, and psychological resilience. This knowledge enables the development of more effective, evidence-based support programs and policies tailored to the needs of military communities.

Within NATO, there is a growing recognition that security begins with people. Investing in research on health, well-being, and quality of life for military personnel and their families is therefore an investment in operational readiness, force effectiveness, and the long-term resilience of our armed forces.

There are numerous opportunities for researchers, universities, research institutes, and public institutions from Romania to participate in NATO STO panels, research task groups, workshops, symposia, specialist courses, and collaborative research projects conducted under the Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW).

At the national level, participation in NATO STO activities is coordinated through the National Coordinators (NCs). A list of National Coordinators for all NATO member nations is available on the NATO STO website. Therefore, for individuals or institutions interested in becoming involved, the first step should be to contact their National Coordinator.

At the same time, I would encourage interested researchers and institutions to engage directly with the relevant NATO STO panels. Information on research topics, areas of interest, and upcoming activities is regularly published online, allowing potential participants to explore opportunities and identify areas that match their expertise and interests.

NATO STO is built on the active collaboration of experts from across the Alliance, and we are always looking for new scientists, engineers, analysts, and institutions willing to contribute their knowledge and experience to international research activities. We warmly invite researchers, students, universities, research organizations, and public institutions to become involved in NATO STO initiatives. Scientific collaboration remains one of the most effective ways to collectively strengthen the security, resilience, and technological advantage of the Alliance.

Future security and defence challenges will require a combination of deep expertise and the ability to work across disciplines, sectors, and national boundaries. Therefore, interdisciplinary thinking, critical thinking, data analysis skills, and an understanding of the implications of emerging technologies will be particularly important.

Equally valuable will be the ability to collaborate internationally, communicate effectively, and operate in multicultural environments. Within NATO, we see every day that the best solutions emerge when experts from different backgrounds and nations work together toward a common goal.

Perhaps most importantly, future professionals will need to embrace lifelong learning and adaptability. The pace of technological change is unprecedented, making flexibility, curiosity, and openness to new ideas just as important as technical expertise itself.

NATO currently identifies nine key areas of Emerging and Disruptive Technologies (EDTs) that are expected to shape the future security and defence environment: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Autonomy, Quantum Technologies, Space, Hypersonic and New Missile Technologies, Biotechnology and Human Enhancement, Novel Materials and Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Propulsion, and Next-Generation Communication Networks. These technologies will be essential for maintaining NATO’s technological edge, which underpins military effectiveness, strengthens deterrence, and ultimately contributes to preventing conflicts and preserving security across the Alliance.

In my view, Artificial Intelligence will be the fastest-developing and most influential technology due to its broad applicability across virtually all domains, from decision support and intelligence analysis to logistics, autonomous systems, and human-machine teaming.

At the same time, Quantum Technologies and Biotechnology may prove to be the most transformative in the long term. Their disruptive potential could fundamentally change areas such as computing, sensing, communications, medical treatment, human performance, and biological security. While many of these applications are still emerging, their future impact could be truly revolutionary.

In my view, both military and civilian organizations have much to learn from one another. The military can share valuable experience in planning, risk management, leadership, and operating effectively under conditions of uncertainty and pressure. Civilian organizations, on the other hand, often demonstrate greater organizational agility, innovation, and the ability to rapidly adopt new solutions.

Recent crises have shown that resilience cannot be built by any single organization acting alone. Effective crisis response and adaptation require a whole-of-society approach involving government, the military, academia, industry, and civil society. The most important lesson is that resilience is not a characteristic of an individual organization but of an entire system, whose effectiveness depends on trust, cooperation, and the ability to learn and adapt together.

First and foremost, I would like to emphasize that security begins with people. Whether we are service members, veterans, social workers, researchers, or students, we all play an important role in building the resilience of our organizations and societies.

I encourage everyone to pursue continuous learning, collaboration, and openness to new ideas and perspectives. Today’s security challenges require not only specialized expertise but also the ability to work across disciplines, institutions, and national boundaries. In particular, I would encourage readers to participate in international research and expert initiatives, including the many opportunities offered through NATO STO.

I would also encourage readers to benefit from the outcomes of this collaboration. NATO STO publishes a wide range of reports and studies produced by its research groups, providing valuable insights into current and future security challenges. In addition, the NATO Chief Scientist regularly publishes thematic reports, such as Cognitive Warfare and Resilience, as well as the Science & Technology Trends report, which offers a comprehensive assessment of emerging technologies and their potential implications for defence and security in the years ahead.

Finally, I would like to encourage young people to consider careers related to security and defence. It is a field that offers a unique opportunity to combine knowledge, public service, and meaningful contributions to society. We will continue to need dedicated, competent, and responsible leaders who are willing to help shape a safer future.

As I mentioned earlier, I would primarily encourage readers to actively participate in projects conducted under the „Collaborative Programme of Work (CPoW)”. The programme includes hundreds of research activities covering a wide range of scientific and technological areas relevant to security and defence. Whether one’s expertise lies in social sciences, medicine, engineering, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, or operational analysis, I am confident that every researcher can find topics aligned with their professional interests and scientific aspirations.

I would also encourage readers to follow NATO STO publications and the reports produced by the NATO Chief Scientist. These publications provide valuable insights into key scientific and technological trends and their potential impact on the future security and defence environment.

NATO STO is not only a platform for conducting research but also a unique forum for knowledge exchange, international collaboration, and professional networking. Therefore, I encourage readers not only to benefit from it, but also to contribute.

The most valuable lesson I have learned is that lasting results are achieved through people and relationships built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared purpose. In an international environment, the ability to listen, understand different perspectives, and find common ground becomes especially important.

My experience within NATO has shown me that diversity of backgrounds, cultures, and ways of thinking is not an obstacle but a tremendous strength. The best solutions emerge when we bring together the knowledge and experience of people from different nations, organizations, and disciplines.

For this reason, I believe that leadership is not about giving orders but about creating an environment in which people can collaborate effectively, develop their potential, and work together toward common goals. Ultimately, cooperation and service to a greater purpose remain the values I consider most important in an international setting.