Behavioural Science Research in Security
This research cluster examines the role of behavioural science in understanding and addressing challenges in national security and defence.
Research summary
This cluster emerged from a number of government-funded projects focused upon issues relating to national security.
Cluster members come from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and we approach issues in a range of different ways, both theoretically and methodologically.
We converge, however, in our commitment to contributing to a rigorous evidence base which agencies tasked with maintaining the security of UK citizens can draw upon.
Key research areas
Our work focuses on the following areas:
Online interaction has a potentially huge impact upon our behaviour, which can in turn impact upon matters of national security and defence.
The processes and mechanisms involved in this are extremely complex and this is even more so in a globalised context where different cultural factors come into play. Work in this cluster focuses upon these cultural factors.
With a particular focus upon workers involved security and defence roles, this cluster focuses upon the conditions which best allow them to be prepared for periods of heightened stress, to be resilient during such periods and more generally to thrive, both individually and as teams, in high stress work environments.
AI is ushering in huge changes in all workplaces. This is no less true for work in national security and defence.
This cluster focuses upon the interaction of human beings and AIs in the workplace, with a particular interest in the potential relevance of its findings for security and defence contexts.
Using the tools of social network analysis, work in this cluster seeks to consider both the organisation of online actors who pose a threat to individuals and organisations in the UK and vulnerabilities which stem from the structure of the various networks to which we all belong.
Meet the team
Cluster Lead: Prof Nick Crossley (CDTS Director)
Members:
- Ms Rhiannon Allsop (CDTS): PhD student, CASE studentship funded by the North West Doctoral College
- Prof Emma Barrett (CDTS): Professor of psychology and criminology
- Dr Simon Copeland (CDTS) Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Prof Rebecca Elliott (Psychology and Mental Health/FBMH): Professor of affective neuroscience
- Dr Afshan Iqbal (CDTS) Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Dr Kathryn O’Lone (CDTS) Postdoctoral Research Fellow
- Dr Connor Rees (CDTS) Postdoctoral Research Fellow