
Security, power and the perspectives we miss
From The National Security Podcast by ANU National Security College
June 11, 2026 · 45 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the need for a broader understanding of national security that includes women's experiences and community perspectives.
Can national security be fully understood through hard power alone? Is it time for Australia to have a broader national security strategy – one that goes beyond defence and brings in federal, state and community perspectives? How can women’s experiences be integrated into a more traditional understanding of national security? In this episode, Sharryn Parker speaks with Professor Valerie Hudson and Dr Elise Stephenson about realism, power and the perspectives often missing from traditional security debates. Professor Valerie Hudson is Professor and George H.W. Bush Chair in the Department of International Affairs of the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. Dr Elise Stephenson is the Deputy Director of the Global Institute for Women's Leadership, Australian National University. Sharryn Parker is a Senior Policy Advisor at the ANU National Security College (NSC), on secondment from the Department of Defence. TRANSCRIPT Show notes · NSC academic programs – find out more · Whither Women and Peace and Security? · Gender and National Security…
People in this episode
Host: Sharryn Parker
Guests: Professor Valerie Hudson, Dr Elise Stephenson
Topics covered
- national security
- hard power
- women's experiences
- community perspectives
- broader strategy
- realism
- security debates
Keywords
- national security
- hard power
- women's leadership
- community strategy
- realism
- Australia
- security debates
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Texas A&M University, Global Institute for Women's Leadership, ANU National Security College, Department of Defence
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