Today is a good day for me as this is not only my first blog for the Future Reserves Research Programme, it is also my first blog ever! So here I go, dipping my toe into the blogosphere.

Future Reserves is a new programme of work that aims to research life in the UK military reserves. UK Armed Forces have been undergoing significant changes that will continue over the next 5 years, so that by 2020 reservists will make up at least 1-in-4 of the UK Armed Forces military personnel. These changes will bring new ways of working, as the ‘whole force’ concept will need a variety of military and civilian personnel to work together effectively in defence of the UK’s national interests.

The introduction of the ‘whole force’ concept affects many aspects of military life. This research programme is particularly interested in the experiences of reservists. Being in the military on a part-time basis places different demands on individuals, their families and their civilian employers and work colleagues. Military leaders and policy makers need to understand what these demands are, and how they can best support this diverse group of service men and women.

The Ministry of Defence, the British Army and the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) have funded researchers from universities across the UK to carry out 4 separate, but linked, research projects.

As well as researchers, we also have a team of people who are working with the MOD, policy makers and employers to make sure that the results of the research make a difference and are used when decisions are made. Now that we are up and running we will give regular updates and information. If you would like to know more, share your views, or would like us to get involved in your work, please get in touch – we’d like to hear from you!

Zoe Morrison
FRRP Integration team

Email us: info@future-reserves-research.ac.uk.