Hans Pung

President, RAND Europe

Cambridge Office

Education

M.Sc. in mathematical modelling and numerical analysis, Oxford University; M.St. in modern history, Oxford University; B.S. in mathematics, United States Military Academy

One Page Bio

Media Resources

This researcher is available for interviews.

To arrange an interview, contact RAND Europe Media Relations at +44 (1223) 353 329, x2560, or email europeanmedia@rand.org.

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Overview

Hans Pung is president of RAND Europe, a not-for-profit public policy research organisation that helps improve policy and decision-making through research and analysis. With offices in Cambridge (UK), and Brussels (BE), RAND's staff undertakes empirical studies for public, private, and third sector clients on a diverse range of policy issues including innovation, science, health, social policy, defence, home affairs, and infrastructure.

Pung joined RAND as a policy analyst in 2002 and continues to lead and deliver research projects, particularly around industrial economics and security policy issues. He has held a range of senior leadership positions in RAND Europe, including directing RAND's European defence and security research portfolio as well as heading RAND Europe's efforts to grow and diversify into new research areas.

Prior to RAND, Pung served as an engineer officer in the United States Army with responsibility for logistics, personnel, and operations and overseas service in the United Kingdom, South Korea, and Germany. He also led the emergency power response team at the Pentagon in the aftermath of 9/11.

A mathematics graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point where he commanded the United States Corps of Cadets as a senior, Pung also holds advanced degrees in mathematical modelling and modern history from Oxford University, which he attended as a (George C.) Marshall Scholar.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

Cost Modelling and Skills Analysis
European Defence Industrial Base Analysis
Future UK Military Capability Requirements
Improving Counter-Violent Extremism Interventions

Commentary

The Right Kind of Incentive Can Help People to Stay Active
Having the motivation to keep exercising regularly can be challenging for many of us. So what will motivate people to keep heading out the door, whether it's for a swim or to the gym, for some much-needed activity?
Apr 30, 2019 The Council for Work and Health
The Danger of Truth Decay Across Europe
“Truth Decay” poses a threat to the health and future of democracy across Europe. With partial facts, disinformation, and incompatible versions of “the truth” competing for attention, it's more and more important for Europeans to recognize this phenomenon.
Mar 19, 2018 E!Sharp
A Risk Worth Taking? The Rationale Behind Prime Minister May's Early Election Gambit
If May wins the early election, she could enter Brexit negotiations with a stronger electoral mandate, greater freedom of action to end the talks, and a post-Brexit future that gives her a better starting point for the 2022 election.
May 15, 2017 U.S. News & World Report
Where Next for the Digital Society?
Digital technologies are omnipresent, both in terms of where we are and what we do. A digital society can bring about economic and societal gain, but there are many challenges that need to be addressed beyond the actual technologies.
Oct 14, 2016 The RAND Blog
The SDSR: A Step Forward, but Questions Remain
The United Kingdom's Strategic Defence and Security Review contains a number of commitments that will be welcomed by defense and security experts. But some unanswered questions will play a critical role in determining the overall success of Britain's security strategy.
Nov 27, 2015 The RAND Blog

Publications

Report
Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Military Aircraft Industry
This monograph reports on RAND Europe's support to the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence's Fixed Wing Sector Strategy Board towards development of a strategy and sustainment plan for the military fixed wing sector.
Jan 31, 2011
Research Brief
Research Brief
Sustaining Key Skills in the United Kingdom's Military Aircraft Industry
The UK currently has the industrial skills needed to develop, produce and maintain its military aircraft, but predicted future demand for design engineering activity is insufficient to sustain a number of key skills beyond the 2010-2019 decade.
Jan 31, 2011
Report
The National Audit Office and Defence Value for Money: Identifying Financial Savings
The National Audit Office (NAO) asked RAND Europe to identify which recent MOD Value for Money (VFM) reports are likely to have led to financial savings within the Department.
Mar 17, 2009
Research Brief
Research Brief
Remuneration and its motivation of UK military personnel
RAND was commissioned to study the attitudes of military personnel towards their remuneration package in order to highlight and determine the extent to which it motivates them to join and stay in the Armed Forces.
Dec 31, 2008
Report
The Netherlands F-16 Comparative Analysis: An Evaluation of the Process
In 2008, the Netherlands Ministry of Defence conducted a comparative analysis of potential candidates to replace its F-16 fighter aircraft. This report presents RAND Europe's evaluation of that analysis.
Dec 16, 2008
Research Brief
Research Brief
Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Naval Industry
To preserve its ability to design, build, and support complex warships and submarines, the UK's Ministry of Defence will need to preserve and sustain several key technical skills in the maritime domain.
Jul 15, 2008
Report
Report
Sustaining Key Skills in the UK Naval Industry
Building on prior RAND research, this monograph explores the need for and retention of technical skills in the UK's naval industrial base, particularly among designers and engineers involved with surface ship and submarine acquisition and support.
Apr 12, 2008
Report
Report
Remuneration and its Motivation of Service Personnel: Focus Group Investigation and Analysis
The objective of this work was to better understand the views of serving personnel of the pay and allowance package provided by the UK Ministry of Defence and to identify trends for further analysis.
Oct 21, 2007
Report
Report
Motivations and Attitudes of New Recruits Regarding Remuneration Issues: Focus Group Investigation and Analysis
The objective of this work was to better understand the attitudes and views of new recruits regarding the remuneration package provided by the UK Ministry of Defence and to identify trends for further analysis.
Oct 20, 2007
Journal Article
Journal Article
International Benchmark of Fraud and Error in Social Security Systems
This report, which was commissioned by the National Audit Office (NAO), presents the results of a benchmarking exercise investigating the issue of fraud and error in the social security systems of eight European and non-European countries.
Jul 20, 2006
Report
Report
The United Kingdom’s Nuclear Submarine Industrial Base, Volume 2: Ministry of Defence Roles and Required Technical Resources
Recommends measures and structures the UK Ministry of Defence can adopt to better manage its risks and responsibilities in submarine acquisition.
Dec 5, 2005
Research Brief
Research Brief
Can the United Kingdom Rebuild Its Naval Fleet? Challenges and Opportunities for the UK Shipbuilding Industrial Base, 2005–2020
The United Kingdom faces numerous challenges in producing warships from now through 2020, including developing a sufficiently sized and skilled workforce, updating facilities, and maintaining viable producers. To address these challenges, the UK Mini...
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Research Brief
Commercial Shipbuilding Techniques: Can They Be Applied to Warship Production in the United Kingdom?
The United Kingdom faces numerous challenges in producing warships from now through 2020, including developing a sufficiently sized and skilled workforce, updating facilities, and maintaining viable producers. To address these challenges, the UK Mini...
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Research Brief
Diversifying the Customer Base for Shipbuilding in the United Kingdom
UK's attempts to re-enter the commercial shipbuilding market or enter the military ship export market would face daunting challenges. Design breakthroughs by the UK could help its competitive position, but such advances require risky investments.
Nov 25, 2005
Research Brief
Research Brief
Reducing the Cost of Aircraft Carrier Acquisition
The United Kingdom's Ministry of Defence is designing its next class of aircraft carriers. At the ministry's request, RAND presented several cost-saving tools and measures.
Nov 25, 2005
Report
Report
The United Kingdom’s Naval Shipbuilding Industrial Base: The Next Fifteen Years
Assesses whether shipyards, other naval firms, and suppliers in the United Kingdom have sufficient capacity to meet the demands of the Ministry of Defence's planned naval acquisition programme over the next 15 years.
Jun 20, 2005
Report
Report
Differences Between Military and Commercial Shipbuilding: Implications for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defence
Looks at the feasibility of UK shipbuilders expanding outside their domestic military contracts into the worldwide commercial or foreign military markets.
Jun 15, 2005
Report
Report
Outsourcing and Outfitting Practices: Implications for the Ministry of Defence Shipbuilding Programmes
Advises how the United Kingdom should best use modern outsourcing and outfitting practices for shipbuilding in the years to come.
Jun 15, 2005
Report
Report
Options for Reducing Costs in the United Kingdom’s Future Aircraft Carrier (CVF) Programme
Examines ways in which the UK Ministry of Defence can reduce the whole-life costs and manpower requirements of the Royal Navy's two Future Aircraft Carriers (CVFs).
May 6, 2005
Report
Report
Stretching the Network: Using Transformed Forces in Demanding Contingencies Other Than War
Networking can help solve almost all common operational challenges in nonpermissive contingencies short of war.
Dec 20, 2004
Report
Report
Assembling and Supporting the Joint Strike Fighter in the UK: Issues and Costs
Would it be worthwhile for the United Kingdom to undertake some of the assembly and repair work for its Joint Strike Fighter?
2003

Multimedia

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Understanding Brexit
Jul 6, 2016