Cyber security, health, natural disasters and violence all feature in our curriculum | Security Studies

Anneleen van der Meer, programme director Security Studies

Social impact

From the threat of armed conflict to robbery, and from the risk of flooding to car accidents: issues of security and safety vary in scale, reach, and complexity. Our programme deals with a range of threats and risks that impact us on different levels. Cyber security, health, natural disasters and violence all feature in our curriculum, not just to understand their impact and effect, but also to critically study possible solutions and mitigation efforts.

Explore-Understand-Do

We study these issues using the Explore-Understand-Do method. First we explore the basic facts to get a better idea of the issue and its component parts. Then, we seek to understand the problem using a variety of theories and concepts from different disciplines. Finally, we ‘do’ safety and security by proposing and engaging with prevention and mitigation. This approach is interdisciplinary: we need insights and tools from a variety of sources and traditions to confront complex questions. Issues of safety and security are always highly multifaceted.

Scientific approach

In this academic programme we train students to critically analyse safety and security. We encourage them to question what they read and hear around them. Doing scientifically sound research and basing their ideas on that is crucial, also for careers outside of academia. Ultimately, this allows our students to develop into security professionals who recognise that safety and security problems are hugely complex, but who also know how to begin addressing them.