NORDSECURE addresses this moment of uncertainty by introducing a novel concept: securitizing communities of practice. This lens shifts focus from formal cooperation and elite declarations to the everyday routines, shared understandings, and operational performances of practitioners who enact security on the ground.
Drawing on advances in practice theory and securitisation studies, the project investigates how these communities interpret threats, coordinate responses, and sustain (or lose) cohesion. Empirically, we examine three critical domains—military threats, maritime sabotage, and disinformation—each involving constellations of public and private actors across national, Nordic, EU, and NATO levels. Through qualitative mapping, in-depth interviews, and co-interpretation with Nordic security professionals, we analyse how regional cooperation holds or fragments under pressure.
NORDSECURE fills a theoretical and empirical gap in existing research. Whereas most studies focus on formal intergovernmental cooperation or technical risk management, we illuminate the social dynamics that sustain cooperation in practice. Our interdisciplinary consortium combines academic rigour with practical relevance, delivering new conceptual tools and actionable insights for policymakers. By revitalising security community theory to address today’s hybrid threat landscape, the project contributes directly to NordForsk’s goals: strengthening resilience, enhancing coordination, and supporting coherent governance in the face of growing antagonism.
