Call for Papers: Understanding Cognitive Superiority
Decisions, learning, and the Profession of Arms
The Section for Land Power Studies at the Norwegian Military Academy is pleased to announce an international call for papers for the upcoming conference and subsequent special issue «Understanding Cognitive Superiority: Decision, Learning, and the Profession of Arms.»
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES
Proposal length: Maximum 500 words
Deadline for Proposals: 31 May 2026
Email: kenstad@mil.no (Assoc. Prof. K. Enstad)
PROCESS AND TIMELINES
Conference: Oslo, 15–16 September 2026
Publication: Articles considered for a Special Issue or an edited collection to be published in 2027
We particularly encourage contributions that draw on the Nordic defence tradition of mission command and reflective professionalism to bridge the gap between strategic influence and operational competence.
Background
While «cognitive warfare» has emerged as a potential sixth domain of conflict, research has remained strategically fragmented. This initiative seeks to develop the field by exploring the role of cognition in warfare as a battle for cognitive superiority in the operational and professional dimension of the profession of arms - specifically how learning, adaptation, and professional judgement create decision advantage in modern technologically mediated battle.
To structure the discussion, the conference is organised around four core themes.
Themes
COGNITIVE SUPERIORITY
Examining conflict as contest between adaptive systems. We welcome papers drawing on C2 theory, OODA-logic, and dynamic decision-making.
PROFESSIONAL JUDGEMENT
Exploring how the officer's role is transformed by accelerated cycles and human-machine systems. Topics include trust and ethical coherence.
LEARNING AND ADAPTATION
Treating learning not as a post-hoe function, but as a central operational mechanism. Focus areas include speed and feedback loops.
PME AND INSTITUTIONAL DESIGN
Designing PME for «cognitive manoeuvre» rather than procedural compliance. Includes experimentation, simulation, and emerging tech.