George Mason faculty drive national momentum in defense and security research

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George Mason University faculty are leading groundbreaking work in defense and security research, bringing deep expertise from across the university's colleges, schools, and specialized centers to address some of the nation's most pressing security challenges. Faculty leaders in the College of Engineering and Computing (CEC), College of Science, Antonin Scalia Law School, and the Schar School of Policy and Government-together with researchers in the Center for Secure Information Systems and the C4I and Cyber Center-are advancing capabilities in integrated sensing, advanced communications, cybersecurity, space, and artificial intelligence.

FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty was the keynote on day 2 of the ISAC Strategy Summit. Photo by Jon Fleming Photography

These efforts position George Mason as a vital partner to the Department of War and the broader national security community with George Mason faculty are emerging as national leaders in defense and security research. Their work is supported by administrative enhancements in secure computing, facilities, and infrastructure at Fuse at Mason Square, creating an ecosystem where innovation thrives.

Supporting and amplifying this faculty-driven innovation is Sarah Campbell, associate vice president of research for defense and security initiatives. Campbell serves as the connector who ensures George Mason faculty expertise is linked to the right national partners, guiding collaborations and forging relationships with influential organizations such as the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division, MITRE, NGA, DARPA, and the Office of the Secretary of War, Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (USD R&E).

"George Mason has the talent, the technology, and the partnerships to be a driving force in advancing our nation's defense capabilities," Campbell said. "By working at the intersection of research, innovation, and application, we are paving the way as pioneers in the academic space by working with the government and industry to build solutions that matter."

Faculty contributions are already shaping national strategy. Last year, George Mason secured an inaugural Department of War contract to convene the first-ever academic workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC), a transformative field that merges advanced sensing technologies with next-generation communications. Led by Campbell, faculty from CEC, the Rapid Prototyping Research Center, and the Commonwealth Cyber Initiative worked alongside government and industry experts to identify national research priorities, producing a reportthat is featured on the USD R&E website and is informing current federal strategy.

First-ever academic workshop on Integrated Sensing and Communications (ISAC) was held at Mason Square in August 2025. Photo provided

That momentum carried into 2025, when the university hosted a 300-person ISAC Strategy Summit. Faculty from across disciplines showcased expertise that aligned with the Pentagon's Future G and Golden Dome initiatives, which aim to integrate sensing, communications, and defense systems into a unified protective architecture.

The event-supported by corporate partners such as Nokia, AT&T, Ericsson, and Lockheed Martin-underscored George Mason's ability to convene thought leaders and highlight faculty capabilities. In her keynote, FCC Commissioner Olivia Trusty emphasized the importance of access to the full spectrum of wireless frequencies and ISAC in securing U.S. technological leadership.

"There is a serious gap in the ISAC talent pipeline-not only is there no dedicated curriculum or formal field of study, but the knowledge base is scattered across separate disciplines that need to be integrated," Campbell said. "This creates an opportunity for George Mason to build an interdisciplinary program that develops the next generation of ISAC experts creating a community for this nascent technology. Our partnership with the War Department and the work that follows highlight the university's strength across the full spectrum of sensing capabilities."

As for the future, Vice President for Research, Innovation, and Economic Impact Andre Marshall emphasized the importance of George Mason's commitment to investing in faculty-led research in integrated sensing, advanced communications, artificial intelligence, space, and cybersecurity and positioning faculty as national thought leaders. He noted that by deepening collaborations with federal laboratories, strengthening partnerships with defense contractors, and pursuing major research investments, the university will remain both a pioneer and a leader in advancing critical defense priorities.

"George Mason's Defense and Security Program exemplifies the university's ability to align world-class research with national priorities," Marshall said. "These initiatives not only expand our impact in defense and security but also elevate the university's reputation as a premier research institution delivering solutions that matter."

Marshall said what sets George Mason apart is its ability to bring interdisciplinary teams together-engineers, data scientists, policy experts, and security specialists-to tackle the complex challenges facing our nation. "As we engage with initiatives like ISAC and the Golden Dome, we are preparing to shape the next generation of defense technologies, while also training the workforce that will carry them forward," he said. "This is the type of innovation ecosystem that ensures George Mason remains a trusted partner to the War Department for years to come."