NTNU Samfunnsforskning to Lead New National Network for Collaboration on Civil Security

Inspired by the Community of European Research and Innovation for Security (CERIS), the NFR funded project has been given the name NoCoU – Norway Community of Users – Civil Security for Society and will run from 2025 to 2027. Dr. Herrera, a senior researcher at NTNU Samfunnsforskning’s Studio Apertura, brings over 20 years of experience as a civil security researcher and project manager for national and EU-funded projects.

By establishing a vibrant network that includes academics and participants from civil society and industry, NoCoU will achieve tangible results by leveraging transdisciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration where participant share knowledge and experiences on national and European initiatives. Beyond serving as an arena for members to exchange experiences and lessons learned, the network is designed to foster collaborations.

Such collaborations can also strengthen research on civil security in Norway by increasing engagement across institutions. Researchers from different institutions will have better opportunities to form new collaborations, while the network will also enable partnerships between academics and non-academics. These efforts could help bolster Norway’s position in applying for future research funding within the field of civil security.

"Bringing together key research environments in Norway within societal security through this EU network to enhance collaboration between industry, the public sector, and civil society is crucial for strengthening our ability to maintain a safe and secure society," says Roger Lian, CEO at NTNU Samfunnsforskning AS.

"We need to participate in European research collaboration to address challenges that transcend national borders and strengthen Norway's and Europe's capacity to ensure societal security, preparedness, and adaptability to new forms of vulnerabilities and threats."

NoCoU includes a variety of academic partners within its consortium and also seeks to recruit participants and organizations from other sectors into the network.

“Civil security is a multi-stakeholder domain that requires cooperation between different actors and sectors,” the researchers write in their project application.

The network will recruit participants such as policymakers, municipalities, organizations managing critical infrastructure, tactical personnel in emergency services, volunteers, and engaged citizens. The long-term goal is to have at least 75 participating organizations taking part in the network.

In addition to Ivonne Herrera, Lucia Liste and André Karlsen from NTNU Samfunnsforskning AS, the project team includes researchers from NTNU, SINTEF, NMBU, NORSAR, University of Oslo (UiO), University of Stavanger (UiS), The Arctic University of Norway (UiT), and the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL). Between them, the participating researchers hold expertise in areas such as societal resilience, resilient infrastructures, crisis management, safety, security, cybersecurity for critical sector, cyber warfare, preventative policing, risk management, risk communication, decision making, organizational learning and disaster risk reduction.