Nordic research collaboration
on societal security
Common challenges, common solutions
Extreme weather, pandemics, digital threats and violent extremism are by nature international.
This means that we should be international when we are dealing with these and other challenges to societal security. In NordForsk's interdisciplinary research programme on societal security, researchers in the Nordic countries collaborate to produce new knowledge about vulnerability, resilience and preparedness.
This research contributes to increased critical competence within societal security in the Nordic countries—what we call Nordic added value.
Nordic Societal Security Programme
The Nordic societal security programme started in 2013.
The programme is a direct result of the Haga Declaration, the Nordic countries' platform for cooperation 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
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.
Gender, trust and security
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.
Unprecedented storms can hit the Faroe Islands
Living on 18 small islands in the North Atlantic, the Faroese people are used to wild weather. But researchers warn that the climate debate often overlooks the Nordic Region’s smaller communities.
Tourists ignore warning signs at dangerous sites
A recent study from Iceland reveals that many tourists ignore repeated warning signs when visiting sites. We feel invulnerable when we are on holiday and we want the perfect selfie, is one of the explanations from one of the researchers behind the study.
Law enforcement – from the streets to the internet
Law enforcement methods have changed dramatically with the rise of big data. Police work used to consist of data collection and traditional intelligence gathering. Now, it involves greater use of big data, face recognition, surveillance and other data-driven tools.
Resilience in the Nordics
Why is Nordic research cooperation beneficial for societal security in the Nordics? We asked Karen Lund Petersen, Professor at the Department of Political Science, University of Copenhagen.
Research as tool for preparedness
“Research is very valuable to our work,” says Marit Endresen, Director of Department at the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection.
The importance of research on societal security
"Our approach needs to be knowledge-based, evidence-based," says Bengt Sundelius, chair of the programme committee for NordForsk’s Nordic Societal Security Programme
