Nordic research collaboration
on societal security
Nordic collaboration to counter shared societal security challenges
Extreme weather, pandemics, digital threats and violent extremism are all examples of societal threats and crises.
The Nordic Societal Security initiative is designed to generate new knowledge for the safety and security of the Nordic countries' inhabitants. Societal security is growing in importance and relevance due to the rapidly evolving social, political, environmental and security challenges that we are experiencing globally.
This research contributes to increased critical competence within societal security in the Nordic countries. Given that societal security challenges are transbundary there is much gained from Nordic collaboration.
Nordic Societal Security Research
The Nordic societal security research area started in 2013.
The research ares is a direct result of the Haga Declaration, the Nordic countries' platform for co-operation on societal security and preparedness.
Several research projects funded by us relate directly to the Nordic Council's strategy on societal security, for example cybersecurity and fire prevention.
Four ongoing research projects on societal security
- Lessons for the Nordic welfare states from the Covid19-pandemic
- Climate Change Resilience in Small Communities in the Nordic Countries
- Fire and Rescue Services in the Twenty-First Century
- Tracking of Antimicrobial Resistant Genes in Environmental reservoirs in the Nordic Countries
10 years of Societal Security Research
The report highlights a decade of research and collaborative achievements in addressing the Nordic region's security challenges.
Key figures
for the research programme on societal security:
- 21 research projects
- 7 participating countries in and outside of the Nordics
- 200 researchers
- NOK 200 million budget
Nordic added value
Research on societal security provides Nordic added value in a number of ways. For example by:
- comparing systems and practices in security policy
- joint knowledge development
- regional mobility and networking
- increased critical competence.
Natural solutions to secure Nordics against ravages of extreme weather
The extreme weather event Storm Hans was an example of the possible consequences of climate change for critical infrastructure such as roads and railway lines. A Nordic research project offers solutions on how to prevent such destruction in the future.
It takes more than stormy weather to knock the Faroese off course
A Nordic research project predicts that storms will hit the Faroe Islands with unprecedented strength. They have worked with the local population on emergency planning, which has been an eye-opener for both parties.
Widespread harassment revealed in the Norwegian police and army
A new study shows that sexual harassment is commonplace in the Norwegian police and army. In response, the police has introduced new measures to deal with this toxic culture.
The digitalisation of the police is not neutral, but political
Neither digital technologies, software, nor procurement processes connected to the digitalisation of the police and law enforcement are neutral or technocratic. They are deeply politicised, researchers claim.
