New research partnership launched to help improve responses to UK security issues

28th March 2023

Sheffield Hallam University is set to play a key role in a new partnership that will help to address the challenges the UK faces from global security threats.

The Civil Security Research Partnership (CSRP) was officially launched at Home Office Security and Policing Event in Farnborough.

The CSRP is a ground-breaking initiative that aims to support the UK Government's Integrated Review of security defence, development and foreign policy by bringing together the country's science, technology, and innovation (ST&I) civil security stakeholder community.

Supported by Sheffield Hallam University’s Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence, and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC), Innovate UK (IUK), and Innovate UK Knowledge Transfer Network (IUK KTN), the CSRP represents a unique approach to addressing civil security challenges.

This collaborative effort will contribute to the UK's future economy, security, and foreign policy, looking at responses to the challenges arising from persistent civil security threats to citizens and communities.

Working across all areas of civil security, the key themes for the CSRP will include preparedness, prevention, detection and mitigation.  This will include disaster resilience and protection of national infrastructure from natural and man-made threats, emergency preparedness, the effects of global warming on civil security, crime (from crime prevention to cyber, economic and environmental crime), counterterrorism and border security.

It will harness the collective expertise and knowledge of civil security ST&I community and challenge partners from academia, industry, government departments with end-users to address the biggest current and future civil security issues, by developing fit for purpose solutions enabling a safer and more secure future.

Professor Babak Akhgar, Director of CENTRIC at Sheffield Hallam University, said: "We’re proud to be part of the Civil Security Research Partnership. This initiative represents a critical step forward in the UK's efforts to address civil security challenges and position the country as a leader in global governance.

“We look forward to working collaboratively with our partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and support the UK's economy, security, and foreign policy."

CENTRIC has supported a number of international projects to support civil security and law enforcement agencies across the world.

The Centre developed a life-saving security app alongside the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to keep staff connected through real time alerts. The SCAAN app has been by IOM staff on the ground in emergency situations including natural disasters and following terrorist incidents.

The STARLIGHT project aims to increasing the awareness, adoption, and long-term impact of artificial intelligence in law enforcement agencies against high priority threats.