Abstract:European-funded security research and innovation aims at “protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens”, and is funded through the Framework 7 and Horizon2020 “Secure societies” programmes.
The EU commission has funded a project named “SecurePART” to help engage Civil Society Organisations (CSOs – a term used by the EU Commission) in European security research. The involvement of such groups is positioned as a method for addressing a range of thorny ethical and practical objectives—including data protection, privacy, meeting user needs and creating positive societal impact. However, there has been little discussion to date about: (a) the valid role of CSOs in research projects; and (b) improving the quality and practical impact of EU security research.
This presentation will contribute to debate about ‘value’ and ‘ethics’ in the context of security at a European level. This is an important discussion, not least because significant public funds are being invested in research and development of technological solutions that aim to counter terrorism, manage borders, respond to disasters and tackle cybercrime. While such technology projects are claimed to support the economic development aims of the European Union, this leaves limited scope within the EU research
programme for research into tackling the daily crime and insecurity problems facing citizens.
Vortrag in englischer Sprache.
Vita:Dr Caroline L. Davey and Andrew B. Wootton are Directors of the Design Against Crime Solution Centre at the University of Salford. Dr Caroline Davey is a qualified Organisational Psychologist and Reader in Design, Innovation & Society. She has led major UK and European funded projects on social responsibility since 1998. Andrew Wootton is Senior Research Fellow and has 15 years experience in design research. Caroline Davey and Andrew Wootton have published academic articles and design guidelines on the role of design within crime prevention, and the use of holistic, human-centred ‘design thinking’ to improve quality of life. They have delivered European-funded projects on Design Against Crime, and initiated a major UK consortium project on sustainability in urban design decision-making—VivaCity2020. Solution Centre projects include: City Centre Crime; National Police Crime Prevention Service (NPCPS); Planning Urban Security (PLuS)—an EU funded project led by the LKA Niedersachsen; Youth Design Against Crime—a partnership with UK charity Catch22 to engage disadvantaged young people in problem-solving; ProtectED – Safety, security and wellbeing of university students and HEI assets; and SecurePART to engage civil society organisations (CSOs) in EU security research—funded by the EU's FP7 programme. Wootton/Davey are UK representatives on COST Action TU1203 Crime Prevention Though Urban Design and Planning (2013-16).
