Universities launch new UK-Australia Global Security and Society Institute

Melbourne-based La Trobe University and Sheffield Hallam University in the UK have launched a new joint Global Security and Society Institute to help societies tackle complex global security challenges, such as sophisticated cybercrime and cyberterrorism, the growth of artificial intelligence, and modern slavery.

The new Institute was launched at Australia House in London at a signing ceremony attended by Dr Karen Salt, Deputy Director, R&I System Diversity and Security, UK Research and Innovation and Anushya Devendra, Head International Engagement, AUKUS Taskforce, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (Australia).

“Now, more than ever, it’s imperative that transnational communities come together to share knowledge and expertise on pressing global security issues that affect us all,” said Professor John Dewar, Vice-Chancellor at La Trobe University, at the launch. “Our ambitious new Global Security and Society Institute, led jointly with our strategic partners at Sheffield Hallam University in the UK, will bring together fresh perspectives, world-leading research expertise and thought leadership to help governments, agencies and businesses navigate unprecedented challenges now and into the future.”

Building on a well-established partnership between the two universities, the Institute will work with governments, intelligence agencies, industry and others to address critical global security problems and enhance the capability to respond to new emerging challenges.

The partnership will also build extra capacity by expanding the network of experts and training the next generation of security academics, through joint international PhD programmes, teaching and learning at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and short courses.

“As societies across the globe accelerate into the age of AI, big data, and seamless digital connectivity, it is imperative that we come together to pool our resources and consider how to tackle ever more complex security challenges,” said Professor Sir Chris Husbands, Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield Hallam University.

Sheffield Hallam researchers from the Centre of Excellence in Terrorism, Resilience, Intelligence, and Organised Crime Research (CENTRIC) already work with agencies and governments across the globe. For example, they advise governments and others on the use of surveillance applications, such as facial recognition, and the ethical implementation of AI in ecurity, policing and justice.

La Trobe University’s research strengths in the humanities, most notably in international relations, foreign and defence policy will complement Sheffield Hallam’s strengths in terrorism and international conflict, generating new ideas, connections and opportunities.

Other areas of La Trobe’s research that will align with the new Institute include political sciences through research on mis- and dis-information in the digital age, human health, performance and decision making in high-pressure environments, alongside multi-disciplinary research and teaching in cybersecurity, spanning sectors that include defence, finance, communications and energy.

The new institute is part of a wider strategic partnership between Sheffield Hallam and La Trobe, which was reaffirmed during the signing ceremony.

Image: L-R Tim Dillon – Agent-General UK & Commissioner for Victoria in Europe, Professor Sir Chris Husbands – Vice Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, The Honourable Stephen Francis Smith – Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ms Elisabeth Bowes – Deputy Head of Mission, United Kingdom, Professor John Dewar AO – Vice- Chancellor of La Trobe University.