New Working Paper from SALIENT

New Insights into UKRI Funded National Security and Resilience Research

The University of Manchester’s SALIENT initiative has released a working paper titled “Characterising the Landscape of UKRI Funded National Security and Resilience Research.” Authored by Dr. Ian Tellam, this comprehensive study provides an in-depth analysis of the UK’s national security and resilience research landscape, funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Key Findings:

• Diverse Research Portfolio: The study maps over 4,900 projects under the “Building a Secure and Resilient World” (BSRW) strategic theme, revealing significant variability in project distribution across five sub-themes: Global Order, Technologies for Resilience, Supply Chains, Behavioural and Cultural Resilience, and Natural and Built Environments.
• Technological Focus: A notable bias towards technology-related projects was identified, suggesting potential underrepresentation in areas such as behavioural and cultural resilience.
• Interdisciplinary Opportunities: The report emphasizes the need for interdisciplinary research to enhance resilience outcomes, positioning SALIENT as a key driver for such collaborations.

Strategic Recommendations:

1. Interdisciplinary Research Focus: Encouraging projects that cross thematic boundaries to enhance resilience-focused outcomes.
2. Community Engagement: Increasing efforts to engage with underrepresented communities to ensure inclusive resilience strategies.
3. Refinement of Resilience Definitions: Developing clearer, goal-oriented definitions of resilience to guide research and policy.
4. Exploration of Alternative Security Approaches: Considering transformative and proactive solutions alongside resilience strategies.

Conclusion: The working paper underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to national security and resilience, highlighting the need for broader research scopes and greater interdisciplinary collaboration. By refining their strategies, UKRI investments can better meet the evolving needs of society, contributing to the long-term security and resilience of the UK.

For more details, read the full working paper here