Lucia Retter

Research Leader

Cambridge Office

Education

M.A. in international relations and international economics, The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS); B.A. in modern and medieval languages, University of Cambridge

One Page Bio

Overview

Lucia Retter is a research leader at RAND Europe and codirects RAND Europe's Centre for Defence Economics and Acquisition. Her research focuses on understanding the factors driving government strategy, policy and decisionmaking at the nexus between security, influence and prosperity, including the benefits, trade-offs and risks associated with different capability development programmes.

Since joining RAND, Retter has led numerous studies involving defence strategy, acquisition and capability, defence and space industrial base and skills for the UK Ministry of Defence, the European Defence Agency, the European Commission and other European governments. Most recently, Retter has been supporting the UK Ministry of Defence in understanding the implications of climate change and energy transition for defence as well as leading a number of studies for UK Government clients in support of the national and defence space strategies and studies to better understand risks and opportunities for skills and capability development in critical sectors for UK defence and security.

Retter holds an M.A. cum laude in international relations and international economics from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS), where she specialised in economic policy, and a B.A. in modern languages from Clare College, University of Cambridge.

Research Focus

Languages

German; Portuguese; Slovak

Commentary

Security Cooperation

Rethinking the EU's Role in European Collective Defence
Russia's invasion of Ukraine is forcing European nations to quickly re-evaluate how best to maintain their collective security. This makes the concept of European strategic autonomy—the EU's increased ability to operate independently and with partners of choice on defence and security matters—more relevant than ever.
May 20, 2022
Euractiv
Security Cooperation

U.S. Support for European Strategic Autonomy Could Boost Transatlantic Solidarity and Security
Leaders of EU member states and institutions have recently renewed calls for Europe to assume a greater role and increased autonomy in transatlantic and global security and defense. How can Europe and the United States work together to reduce misperceptions about strategic autonomy and chart an outcome that could enhance transatlantic solidarity and security?
Nov 19, 2021
Encompass

Publications

Report
Climate Change Dilemmas for UK Defence and Security: Exploring implications, challenges, opportunities and threats through future scenarios
We explored the implications of climate-change on the UK Ministry of Defence's ability to deliver its priority outcomes. We developed narrative vignettes to facilitate analysis of climate change dilemmas and implications in a participatory event.
May 31, 2023
Commentary
Realising the promise of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy in R&D and exports
This Perspective provides a brief overview of the core principles of the Defence and Security Industrial Strategy (DSIS), before reflecting on two aspects underpinning the Strategy's assumptions: research and development (R&D) and exports.
Nov 28, 2022
Commentary
Science and technology as a tool of power: An appraisal
This Perspective examines the UK Government's ambition to use science and technology (S&T) as a tool of power and an integral part of the national security strategy. It also reflects on critical enablers, including conceptual and practical levers.
Nov 28, 2022
Journal Article
Written Evidence Submitted by RAND Europe: DCC0007 Defence and Climate Change
This document provides RAND Europe's submission of evidence in relation to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee's Call for Evidence on Defence and Climate Change.
Oct 21, 2022
Report
Realising the Ambitions of the UK's Defence Space Strategy: Factors Shaping Implementation to 2030
This study provides an initial look at the factors influencing the implementation of the Defence Space Strategy to 2030 and the strengths and weaknesses of the UK space enterprise. It also includes a decision support tool for capability management.
Feb 17, 2022
Report
European Strategic Autonomy in Defence: Transatlantic visions and implications for NATO, US and EU relations
This study examines the meaning of European strategic autonomy in defence and its implications for the U.S., NATO and US-EU relations using a scenario methodology and transatlantic expert consultation.
Nov 9, 2021
Research Brief
Achieving Global Mobility: Future Force Design 2040
This research brief highlights the likely changes that will arise in global mobility requirements for UK Armed Forces between now and 2040. It also outlines a range of options to deliver global mobility in dynamic threat and policy environments.
Oct 14, 2021
Report
Global Mobility: Future Force Design 2040
This study identifies the likely changes that will arise in global mobility requirements for UK Armed Forces between now and 2040. It also outlines a range of options to deliver global mobility in dynamic threat and policy environments.
Oct 14, 2021
Journal Article
Written Evidence Submitted by RAND Europe: SPDF0020 Space Defence
This document provides RAND Europe's submission of evidence in relation to the UK House of Commons Defence Select Committee's July 2021 call for evidence on space defence.
Jul 30, 2021
Report
Persistent Challenges in UK Defence Equipment Acquisition
This paper identifies underlying and cross-cutting factors that contribute to seemingly intractable challenges in defence equipment acquisition programmes. It also discusses measures that could help address these inefficiencies going forward.
Jun 23, 2021
Report
Crisis Response in a Changing Climate: Implications of Climate Change for UK Defence Logistics in Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and Military Aid to the Civil Authorities (MACA) Operations
This study identifies the implications of climate change for defence logistics in crisis response operations. It identifies challenges to, and policy options for better delivery of, crisis response.
May 4, 2021
Research Brief
Understanding skills gaps in the European defence sector
This study developed an overview of the existing and future defence-skills landscape in the EU, identifying and analysing the skills gaps and assessing the causes of these gaps.
Jan 30, 2020
Report
Relationships between the economy and national security: Analysis and considerations for economic security policy in the Netherlands
This study examines the relationship between the economy and national security in the Netherlands, with a focus on the characteristics and performance of the Dutch economy and the consequences of this for its national security.
Jan 14, 2020
Journal Article
Vision on Defence-Related Skills for Europe Today and Tomorrow
A study examining the skills requirements of the European defence sector, defence-related skills gaps and shortages, the challenges with different sets of skills, and the general features of the European defence industrial skills supply.
Oct 30, 2019
Report
Opportunities for European collaboration in armoured vehicles
RAND Europe examined the scope for collaboration between European states in armoured vehicles (tracked, wheeled and protected transport vehicles) throughout their life-cycle, in support of the European Defence Agency (EDA).
Jan 23, 2019
Journal Article
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Governmental Domain
This study, commissioned by the European Defence Agency, identifies key defence skills within the governmental domain and proposes recommendations for their sustainment.
Aug 16, 2018
Journal Article
Response Strategies to the Cost Escalation of Defence Equipment: Executive Summary
Published in EDA studies - Executive summary.
Mar 15, 2017
Report
The moral component of cross-domain conflict
The study considers the body of work on morality and armed conflict in the future operating environment and provides insights on the ways in which new ways of fighting may challenge traditional moral principles.
Oct 20, 2016
Report
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Annex E
This is Annex E of the non-public final report of a study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA) with the aim of defining and identifying the key skills for defence; Annex E provides the case studies investigated during the study.
Jul 30, 2015
Report
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Annex B
This is Annex B of the non-public final report of a study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA); the annex details current and prospective European equipment programmes.
Jul 30, 2015
Report
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Annex C
This is Annex C of the non-public final report of a study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA); Annex C details education courses for key skills and competences for defence,
Jul 30, 2015
Report
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Annex D
This is Annex D of the non-public final report of a study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA) with the aim of defining and identifying the key skills for defence ; Annex D provides the taxonomy of key skills and competences.
Jul 30, 2015
Report
Key Skills and Competences for Defence: Executive Summary
This is the executive summary of the non-public final report of a study commissioned by the European Defence Agency (EDA)
Jul 30, 2015
Report
The African Institutions Initiative: Insights from the First Four Years
This report presents the findings and recommendations from the evaluation of the first four years of the African Institutions Initiative, a Wellcome Trust funded programme to build sustainable health research capacity.
Sep 12, 2014
Journal Article
National-level Risk Assessments: An Analysis Report
This report is based on a study and analysis of approaches to national-level risk assessment and threat modelling for cyber security which was conducted between April and October 2013.
Nov 1, 2013