A Surfeit of Data and the Importance of Explainability for Defence
The defence sector is well aware of the strategic and operational benefits of harnessing big data. Both in kinetic and non-kinetic contexts, big data can provide mission critical information that can save lives and keep people safe. Over the past few years, the high volume of data generated by military actors, NGOS, and human security stakeholders has reached almost overwhelming levels. As […]
Critical Security – 4th Annual West Coast Conference
We are delighted to participate in the 4th Annual West Coast Conference which will be held from 22-26 November 2021, and this year’s theme covers “Critical Security”. The event, organised by Canadian Association for Security & Intelligence Studies Vancouver (CASIS), offers a platform to discuss the development of human security tools and methodology for military […]
Machine Speed Strategic Analysis – Using AI to unlock information advantage
“Machine Speed Strategic Analysis” is a constant and top-level requirement within the MoD, but what exactly does it mean? Machine speed analysis is the ability to process vast amounts of data to examine or determine their relationship or value much quicker than could be done by humans and to produce a statement of findings. The […]
Ethical and Practical Challenges of Tackling Organised Crime in Conflict
War is a hospitable host for criminality. The reasons for this are numerous. Weak rule of law, political instability, economic insecurity and the need for illicit means of conflict financing all rank, among others, as the reasons why this may be the case. However, the relationship between conflict and organised crime remains under-researched and conceptually […]
First responders, borders, and data – can shared data help build a more coordinated response to crises and disasters?
Disasters and crises often have an international, if not a global impact. Management of these crises involves the coordination of a number of organizations and authorities across countries. For this coordination, interoperability is key. This is the ability for a range of actors to share and understand strategies, processes, technology, and data used by each […]
Unprotected children fighting adults’ wars
As part of our work in Human Security and Human Rights we study and unpack issues such as Human Trafficking. In this guest blog, Laura Bakx provides a valuable insight on gaps within the international legal framework prohibiting the use of child soldiers and its impact on the protection of children. Despite the plethora of […]
Exploring human security by analysing news coverage
A recurring challenge for military and humanitarian planners attempting to understand and map the human security environment is how to obtain real-time, location-specific and contextualised information. Moving closer towards understanding the human security landscape from the perspective of affected populations can help ensure that human security planning and provisions are increasingly tailored to that local context. […]
“Failing to plan for the day after”: planning for civilian protection in Libya
In early 2011, Libya descended into chaos and violence. In March the UN Security Council passed Resolution 1973 authorising “all necessary measures” to protect Libyan civilians. At the end of March, NATO began military operations to implement Resolution 1973 under what became known as Operation Unified Protector (OUP). Within a matter of months, Libyan government […]
Analysing the impact of COVID-19 on gender, peace and security
In April 2020, we published a post titled ‘Why is human security important?’ to kick-off a series of blog posts for Project HAMOC exploring the importance of this concept for planning and analysis of the human environment in conflict and crisis situations. In the current blog, authors, Olivia Iannelli and Hayley Watson look at the […]
Why is human security important?
Never has the concept of human security been as important as it is today as the world responds to the global pandemic COVID-19, which broke out in Wuhan, China in December 2019. On the day of writing, 7 April 2020, the World Health Organisation has reported 1,247,244 confirmed cases, 69,213 confirmed deaths and 211 countries or […]
