CRANFIELD, England –
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency hosted its fourth annual Partnership Symposium at Cranfield University from Sept. 24 – 25, 2025.
The event advanced international collaboration in the effort to account for U.S. personnel still missing from past conflicts.
The symposium, led by DPAA’s Partnerships and Innovation Directorate, brought together more than 35 partners who support the accounting mission by assisting DPAA with field archaeology, research, and innovation.
“The challenges of accounting for our nation's missing service members require innovative thinking and strong partnerships. The DPAA Partnership Symposium provides the ideal forum to share knowledge, explore new approaches, and build our partner community,” said Partnerships and Innovation Director G.R. “Rocky” Gillette. “We are very grateful to Cranfield University for their support in making this vital event a success.”
Cranfield University, a global leader in forensic science and defense research, showcased its work in forensic anthropology, archaeology, and conflict recovery. University leaders emphasized how academic institutions can provide the innovation and technical expertise needed to support DPAA’s humanitarian mission.
“It was a great honor and privilege to host the DPAA’s partner symposium this year. This symposium is such a valuable and unique opportunity for partners to learn more about DPAA and about each other,” said Dr. Roland Wessling, Lecturer in Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield Forensic Institute and Director of Operations of the Cranfield Recovery & Identification of Conflict Casualties Team. “The variety of truly inspiring presentations from partners showing such a spectrum of challenges, methods, and solutions allows everyone to approach their next projects better equipped. It allows all of us to produce even better outcomes and bring more of the fallen home.”
During the two-day symposium, Cotswold Archeology was presented a certificate of appreciation for their outreach and engagement effort at a World War II site outside of Suffolk, England.
“Cotswold Archaeology’s outstanding efforts to search for and commemorate missing Airmen brings together museums, community members, veterans and active service members all working toward the DPAA mission,” said Gillette.
The PI Directorate oversees a network of more than 120 partnerships with universities, non-governmental organizations, and international institutions that enable DPAA to conduct field missions in more than 45 countries. Beyond archaeological support, these partnerships are critical for DPAA's research and innovation efforts. They contribute significantly to case progression through foundational and case-specific research and provide invaluable information to families of missing service members, while also playing a key role in advancing the Agency's innovative approaches.
"The dedication and expertise showcased at this symposium is truly inspiring," said Stephanie Colby, Partnerships and Innovation chief of integration. "It's through the strength of our partnerships that DPAA can leverage this collective knowledge and become a powerful force multiplier, bringing answers to families who have waited so long."