HCSS conducts research and provides advice on geopolitical, defence & security issues to governments, international institutions and businesses. Our research is characterized by a data driven, multidisciplinary approach, specialist expertise and a strategic orientation. We combine broad, conceptual knowledge with qualitative and quantitative methods and present our findings in the form of recommendations, strategic explorations and scenario analyses.
What we do
HCSS conducts its activities independently and in collaboration with its large network of affiliated experts. Our products are diverse: full-fledged reports, issue briefs, quick topic reports, and commentaries in the media. These products include strategic surveys, innovative policy recommendations, trend and scenario analyses, risk assessments, geopolitical and regional security analyses, conflict analyses, operational evaluations and identification of lessons learned.
What we can do for you
We aim to make sense of the world around us, and turn specialized research into actionable recommendations. We are committed to high standards of service, quality products, and scientifically grounded advice that meet the needs of our clients. We value close cooperation with our clients throughout a project.
Our products
Examples include the following:
- Full-fledged studies, papers and reports;
- Short issue briefs and factsheets;
- Substantive input for white papers or business strategies;
- In-house brainstorm or information sessions;
- Lectures and panel events;
- Expert discussions for policy-makers on strategic issues.
Who we work for
HCSS works for public and private sector clients. For governments, national and international, we provide our entire range of services. The ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence are among our regular customers. We also provide analysis to international organizations such as the European Commission and NATO. For private sector customers (commercial and non-commercial organizations and associations) , we translate our strategic orientation to the business environment in order to contribute to their immediate goals and activities. These firms can be located in all possible sectors. In addition, we also engage and cooperate with think tanks and academic institutions worldwide.
Independence
HCSS usually conducts its research at the intersection of science and strategic policy for governments, NGOs and companies. This is generally done on assignment, sometimes also on our own initiative. In the case of commissioned research, it is always clear who the client is, the research question is formulated neutrally and the execution is entirely up to HCSS. The neutral formulation, the complete freedom in the approach and the prevention of influence on outcomes are an integral part of our working method and in conducting the research. In principle, all reports are made public and published. The independence of HCSS research is further guaranteed by the standard Quality Assurance, whereby external peer review is also ordered where appropriate. This ensures independence and verifiability, which are important for guaranteeing objective and reliable information for our clients.
During the last customer satisfaction survey (2022), HCSS was qualified by the vast majority of respondents as sound, independent and authoritative. The overall rating for HCSS was an eight.
Our Staff
HCSS has a small but dedicated staff of around 25 people from different countries. Many of them are graduates from major universities in the US, France, the UK, the Netherlands and elsewhere. Together, they contribute, in-depth expertise in political science, law, sociology, history, management sciences, economics, statistics and area studies, as well as language skills covering Dutch, English, French, German, Russian, Spanish and Mandarin Chinese. Apart from the in-house staff, HCSS also has a network of highly professional non-resident experts.
History
The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies (HCSS) was established in 2007 as an independent think tank. The founder, Prof. dr. Rob de Wijk started this organization with a small team of senior experts and analysts drawn from organisations such as the Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research (TNO), RAND, Clingendael, the Dutch Ministry of Defence and the United Nations.
Management
The current Management Team, consisting of Rob de Wijk (Founder), Paul Sinning (Executive Director), Michel Rademaker (Deputy Director), Frank Bekkers (Director of the Security Programme), Tim Sweijs (Director of Research) and Han ten Broeke (Director of Political Affairs), has 100% ownership of HCSS.
Link to: Arnoud Boot
Arnoud Boot
HCSSLink to: Renée Jones-Bos
Renée Jones-Bos
HCSSLink to: Mathieu Segers
Mathieu Segers
HCSSOur Advisory Board consists of three incredibly experienced professionals who bring their expertise and knowledge to reflect on the strategy of HCSS, and the future of thinktanks.
Onafhankelijk onderzoek
HCSS verricht haar onderzoek veelal op het snijvlak van wetenschap en strategisch beleid voor overheden, NGO’s en bedrijven. Meestal gebeurt dit in opdracht, soms ook op eigen initiatief. Bij onderzoeken in opdracht is het altijd duidelijk wie de opdrachtgever, is de onderzoeksvraagstelling neutraal geformuleerd en is de uitvoering volledig aan HCSS. De neutrale formulering, de volledige vrijheid in de aanpak en het voorkomen van invloed op uitkomsten, vormen een vast onderdeel van onze werkwijze en bij de uitvoering van het onderzoek. Alle rapporten worden in principe openbaar gemaakt en gepubliceerd. De onafhankelijkheid van HCSS-onderzoek wordt verder geborgd door de standaard Quality-Assurance, waarbij in voorkomende gevallen ook externe peer review wordt georganiseerd. Op deze wijze wordt voldaan aan onafhankelijkheid en controleerbaarheid, van belang voor het garanderen van objectieve en betrouwbare informatie voor onze opdrachtgevers.
Tijdens het laatste klanttevredenheid onderzoek (2022) werd HCSS door de overgrote meerderheid van de respondenten als degelijk, onafhankelijk en gezaghebbend gekwalificeerd. De overall waardering voor HCSS kreeg een acht als rapportcijfer.