Crossing borders, rethinking security: Vanessa Geidel’s path to Crawford and beyond

Vanessa Geidel embodies everything we hope to see in future policy makers. She pursued a Master of National Security Policy after discovering Crawford academics she had been reading, and seeing in the media, would also be her teachers. Vanessa received a National Security College Award for her outstanding work during her degree. 

Here is her story in her own words:  

I am originally from a small town in the southwest of Germany called Hockenheim. Its only real claim to fame is the Formula One racetrack, and maybe even more niche: a tower in the shape of a White Asparagus! I always had the urge to look beyond the boundaries of that small town. That curiosity eventually pushed me to apply for a three-month scholarship to study in Australia when I was 15 – the first time I left my hometown for a prolonged period. It was a formative experience that taught me a lot about myself, broadened my horizons in ways I hadn’t anticipated, and ultimately inspired me to return to Australia.  

Around the same time, I began developing a deeper interest in modern German history, particularly the period from the First World War through the Second World War and the Cold War. This was not just a chapter in a history book for me; these events shaped both my country and my own family. Especially the Cold War, it had an immense impact on my life before I was even born and deeply influenced the society and country that I grew up in. That realisation made me reflect more seriously on geopolitics, power, and how historical legacies shape contemporary state behaviour. 

This newfound interest gradually expanded from history into present-day policy challenges. I became increasingly drawn to questions of national security and how states navigate some of the most pertinent security risks of our time, such as foreign interference, politically motivated violence and the rapid developments in the cyber domain, its implications (and opportunities) for us. These issues motivate me because they force us to think critically about whether existing policies still fit the world we live in, and to imagine what responsible, future-focused security policy should look like. 

Before I decided to study a Master of National Security Policy, I was already working at a non-partisan think tank operating in the defence and national security space. At the time, my interests in politics and security were very Europe-focused, shaped by my background and the news I consumed. Immersing myself in an environment centred on Australia and the Indo-Pacific was completely new to me. This experience opened my eyes to a different set of strategic priorities, threats, and regional dynamics. 

When I chose to pursue the Master of National Security Policy, Crawford was the number one, and only, school I considered. For years beforehand, much of the commentary I read on foreign interference, defence, and security was written by National Security College (NSC) academics; the interviews I watched on current developments were with NSC academics; and many of the books or articles I relied on were authored by, or featured insights from, NSC academics. In many ways, Crawford already felt familiar long before I applied. 

So, when I finally looked into the program, I was genuinely excited to see so many of the academics I had been reading and learning from for years now listed as lecturers, or guest lecturers. I could already picture myself taking almost every course on offer. I loved every single course I took. The only thing I wish is that I had more space in my degree. There were courses I had been looking forward to for years that I simply couldn’t fit in, and while I couldn’t change that, it speaks to how rich and compelling the program truly is. 

The experience overall was rewarding, encouraging and thought-provoking! 

The courses and assessments I worked on during my time at Crawford were always designed to be highly relevant to contemporary issues. Many courses, especially towards the end of the semester, included practical assessments that required tangible outcomes. The curriculum was structured in a way that connected current affairs and developments with theory, applied policy frameworks, and insights from both academics and practitioners. 

This approach empowered me to critically engage with the material and positioned me to understand the current state of Australia’s policy landscape. It gave me the tools to assess whether policies were appropriate, why or why not, and provided an outlet to propose informed recommendations. By drawing on the vast knowledge shared by lecturers, guest speakers, and course materials, the degree enabled students to engage meaningfully with real-world policy challenges. 

To some extent, my time at Crawford also helped me overcome a bit of imposter syndrome. For a long time, I felt that I knew too little and hadn’t immersed myself enough to be entitled to an opinion on national security matters. But learning at Crawford, in a safe and inclusive environment, and experiencing the encouragement and feedback of teachers taught me that I can occupy this space and contribute meaningful insights to policy discussions.  

I also undertook an internship being a part of the Semester 2, 2025 cohort of the ANIP Program and had the honour of interning at the think tank RAND Australia. During my internship, I had the opportunity to conduct deeper research into how states, particularly a select group of technologically advanced Asian countries, can work together to develop collaborative strategies that help them maintain strategic autonomy in an increasingly monopolised AI tech stack.  I had a fantastic time during my internship placement and would recommend that every student pursue an internship during their master's degree to gain practical experience. One of the strengths of the Master of National Security Policy is that it allows students to undertake ANIP as part of the program. It also offers a range of excellent courses that give students who are not completing a thesis the opportunity to undertake larger research projects that go beyond a standard essay. 

While my focus lies in national security policy, and I see it as of utmost importance for Australia, I recognise that for many Australians, policy priorities lie elsewhere. Our most heavily debated issues are healthcare, affordable housing, inflation, and the general cost of living, yet they too are deeply connected to international events and, therefore, to our national security. These issues affect social cohesion, and foreign actors can and already have exploited domestic vulnerabilities that may not look like traditional “hard power” threats, but are arguably even more insidious, influencing domestic matters in ways that undermine our stability. 

Whether it is wars on other continents driving domestic price increases, coercive actions aimed at punishing Australia for standing up for its values and the rules-based order, or interference in our democratic processes, local and global policy are deeply intertwined. They inform each other and cannot be treated in isolation. Without the ability to uphold national security, Australia cannot function effectively, and our broader societal resilience is jeopardised.  

A recurring theme throughout all of this is foreign interference. While it took time, Australian policymakers have increasingly recognised its significance, and it now receives the attention it deserves. Developing effective countermeasures is still a work in progress, but it is vital that policymakers also collaborate closely with our partners in the region, in particular in the Pacific and in Asia. As we often like to emphasise, our partners’ security is intrinsically linked to our own, and regional cooperation is essential to addressing these complex, cross-border challenges. In an interconnected world, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find unilateral solutions to multilateral security issues. 

Two of the most memorable experiences at Crawford were completing two war game simulations during my degree. The first one took place in my very first semester, and the second in my final semester - a perfect bookend to my studies.  

The first simulation was daunting, but it was also incredibly rewarding. It taught me that in a safe learning environment, making mistakes is just as valuable as getting things right. Those moments force you to reflect on what went wrong and, when combined with weeks of academic literature, they help you understand and validate your shortcomings from a theoretical perspective.  

By the time I participated in my final war game, I could see just how much I had grown: Being able to make quicker and more effective decisions in complex and fast evolving scenarios, articulate my opinions with more confidence and justify decisions based on theories, classroom discussion and greater awareness of the strategic realities in the region. The best part was strategizing with my group: everyone brought knowledge from the past three semesters, as well as insights from their diverse professional and personal backgrounds. It made the experience richer, more dynamic, and genuinely collaborative. I also thoroughly enjoyed the sense of community in these courses, the discussions, the debate, and the feeling of collectively working through complex problems. Those moments really defined my time at Crawford. 

My advice for anyone considering studying at Crawford is say yes to every opportunity! Don’t just choose courses based on what you already know or where you think you’ll perform best — choose the ones that will genuinely challenge you. The courses I ended up finding the most rewarding were the ones I knew the least about going in. Stepping outside your comfort zone is where the real growth happens, both academically and personally. 

In 2026 I am beginning some work as a research assistant with my former internship placement RAND while continuing in my current role at the ANU Philippines Institute. I’m excited to keep building on the projects and policy work I’ve been involved in throughout my studies. 

Vanessa, congratulations on completing your degree. We hope you enjoyed your time back home in Germany with your family and we hope you get your citizenship here soon so you can reach your dream job in the future.  We can’t wait to see what you accomplish next.