Baltic Security & Digital Geopolitics Summer Academy

Field of study	Political Science, International Relations, Security Studies, Communication
Duration	2 weeks
Dates	June 22nd– July 3rd
Number of credits	6 ECTS
Contact person	Name: Aistė Žemaitytė Email: Aiste.Zemaityte@vdu.lt
Course-organising units	Faculty of Political Science and Diplomacy Faculty of Informatics Faculty of Humanities
Lecturers	Leading experts from VMU, NATO/EU practitioners and media experts
Number of students	Minimum: 15 Maximum: 30
Target group	BA/MA/PhD students of Communication, Political Science, and anyone interested in digital resilience or related fields
Entry requirements	Strong motivation and English language knowledge at B2 level (CEFR)
Short description	This comprehensive academy explores the intersection of traditional geopolitics and modern digital warfare in the Baltic region. Participants will analyze the evolving NATO-EU security architecture alongside the transformation of media ecosystems and hybrid threats. The course bridges political science, communication, and technology to provide a holistic view of how “frontline” states maintain resilience in the 21st century.
Course uniqueness	Located in a geopolitical “frontline region,” this program offers a unique dual perspective: physical security and digital resilience. Students will gain exclusive access to both military training facilities and high-tech media labs, learning from experts who actively counter disinformation and analyze regional security shifts.
Aim	To provide a deep understanding of Baltic regional security, NATO’s post-2022 transformation, and the strategies for building societal resilience against informational and hybrid operations.
Learning outcomes	Evaluate the strategic importance of the Baltics within NATO and EU frameworks. Analyze the mechanics of information warfare and propaganda in the digital age. Identify vulnerabilities in energy, cyber, and media infrastructures. Apply multidisciplinary tools (from political science to IT) to assess regional threats
Programme structure	The curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between kinetic security and the digital information space. Each module integrates theoretical perspectives with empirical case studies and applied analytical exercises. Module 1: Strategic Foundations & NATO Adaptation Analysis of historical legacies, strategic foundations of Baltic security, and NATO’s collective defense transformation in the post-2022 environment. Module 2: Information Operations & Strategic Communication Examination of tactics, narratives, and countermeasures within the Baltic security environment, focusing on institutional STRATCOM responses. Module 3: Media Systems & Cognitive Security Transformation from traditional journalism to platform-based communication, alongside the psychology of disinformation and cognitive security. Module 4: Hybrid Warfare, Cyber Defence & Energy Security Exploring the intersection of hybrid threats, cyber security, and the protection of critical infrastructure, including energy-geopolitical dynamics. Module 5: Social Media Analytics & Societal Resilience Utilizing big data in political communication and developing media literacy and democratic resilience strategies Field Visits & Practical Sessions (Activities subject to institutional availability) VMU Media Lab & Digital Forensics: Practical workshops on media monitoring, digital storytelling, and verification techniques (OSINT) with fact-checking experts. Energy & Critical Infrastructure: On-site study visits to key facilities, such as Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, to examine regional strategic autonomy. Civil-Military & Hybrid Response: Visits to the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union to analyze total defense models and engagement with national cyber security or hybrid threat management centers. Expert Engagement: High-level briefings and roundtable discussions with policy-makers, diplomats, military officers, and security practitioners.
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