What ethical dilemmas arise at the intersection of medicine and the military? How should we make ethical decisions in modern warfare? What does it mean to lead ethically in challenging environments? How does the Just War Tradition apply to today’s conflicts?
Security & Defence PLuS has expanded its educational portfolio with four new self-paced online courses on military ethics, delivered by King’s College London through the edX platform. Designed for military professionals, policymakers, students, and anyone interested in the ethical dimensions of conflict, these courses provide the intellectual tools to navigate complex moral challenges with clarity and confidence.
Focusing on practical decision-making in today’s defence and security environments, the four new courses are:
Ethics and Decision-Making in Modern Warfare
As modern warfare continues to evolve—shaped by new technologies, globalised conflict zones, and complex political landscapes—ethical decision-making has never been more crucial. This course offers a rigorous exploration of the moral, legal, and practical challenges faced by those engaged in armed conflict today. (Learn More & Enrol)
Ethics and Leadership
Ethics and Leadership is a self-paced online course designed to equip professionals with the tools needed to lead ethically in challenging environments. Whether participants are military officers, policymakers, or professionals interested in ethical leadership, this course provides essential knowledge and practical strategies to support decision-making under pressure. (Learn More & Enrol)
Introduction to the Just War Tradition
The Just War Tradition is a key framework for ethical reflection on war and conflict. With roots in classical and theological thought, it continues to inform modern international law, military doctrine, and public discourse. This course explores the core principles of the Just War Tradition and how they are applied in contemporary conflicts. (Learn More & Enrol)
Military Healthcare Ethics
This course explores the ethical principles guiding military healthcare, focusing on real-world dilemmas such as dual loyalty, medical neutrality, triage under pressure, and responses to crises like pandemics and humanitarian emergencies. Through global case studies and ethical frameworks, participants gain tools to navigate complex medical decisions in conflict settings. (Learn More & Enrol)
The Military Healthcare Ethics course is delivered by Lieutenant General (Rtd) Professor Martin CM Bricknell, Professor in Conflict, Health and Military Medicine at King’s College London. The other three courses are led by David Whetham, Professor of Ethics and the Military Profession in the Defence Studies Department at King’s College London and member of the Security & Defence PLuS Education Working Delivery Group.
Explore our full portfolio of security and defence-focused short courses delivered by King’s College London, Arizona State University, and UNSW on the Learn With Us page of our website.