Field Research
Battle Research Group conducts on-the-ground, interview driven field research to capture original evidence from historical and ongoing battles. Our expert researchers travel to conflict zones, walk the ground, take photos and video, and engage with both combatants and civilians to build a holistic understanding of battles.
We anchor our research to four common and essential factors necessary to help us improve our understanding of modern warfare and to create enduring historical records: (1) order of battle; (2) geometry of forces; (3) timeline; and (4) narrative. Capturing these four factors allows us to build effective maps of the battle over time, to tell combat stories from the participant perspective, and to record useful facts.
Methods and Human Subject Protection: Our leadership team applies world-class research methods designed to build objective, evidence-driven records and findings. We follow U.S. and applicable international human subject protection (HSP) values, rules, and laws, and apply an institutional review process guided by a top HSP expert.
We anchor our research to four common and essential factors necessary to help us improve our understanding of modern warfare and to create enduring historical records: (1) order of battle; (2) geometry of forces; (3) timeline; and (4) narrative. Capturing these four factors allows us to build effective maps of the battle over time, to tell combat stories from the participant perspective, and to record useful facts.
Methods and Human Subject Protection: Our leadership team applies world-class research methods designed to build objective, evidence-driven records and findings. We follow U.S. and applicable international human subject protection (HSP) values, rules, and laws, and apply an institutional review process guided by a top HSP expert.
Battle Studies
We publish evidence-driven, professionally designed, stand-alone Battle Studies for use by military professionals, academic researchers, and the interested public. Studies tell battle stories.
Each Study establishes the known facts of the battle, puts the fighting in context, and helps the reader understand what happened through the eyes of participants. Studies are used to build tabletop exercises for use in professional military education and training.
Each Study establishes the known facts of the battle, puts the fighting in context, and helps the reader understand what happened through the eyes of participants. Studies are used to build tabletop exercises for use in professional military education and training.
Teaching, Mentoring, Educational Support, Writing & Speaking
Teaching: Experts from the Battle Research Group are available to teach courses on a variety of subjects all centered on our main purpose: improving our collective understanding of modern warfare. Subjects include field research methodology, case studies, modern warfare analysis, and human aspects of warfare.
Mentoring: Our experts are available both through grant engagement and (as available) on a pro bono basis to help individual military and academic researchers learn field research techniques, effective writing for military audiences, and related skills. We also support individual authors in their efforts to publish battle research.
Educational Support: We provide curriculum and syllabus development support for military and non-military academic institutions seeking to build or improve their military studies programs or develop specific classes relevant to modern warfare.
Writing and Speaking: We are available for writing and speaking engagements.
Mentoring: Our experts are available both through grant engagement and (as available) on a pro bono basis to help individual military and academic researchers learn field research techniques, effective writing for military audiences, and related skills. We also support individual authors in their efforts to publish battle research.
Educational Support: We provide curriculum and syllabus development support for military and non-military academic institutions seeking to build or improve their military studies programs or develop specific classes relevant to modern warfare.
Writing and Speaking: We are available for writing and speaking engagements.
Ground Combat Database
Wargaming and TTXs
We maintain, host, and develop the Ground Combat Database, a collection of nearly 600 battles.
Building from our battle studies, we will design, build, and run wargames and tabletop exercises. Our first wargame based on Battle of Irpin River is in the works.