Centre for Security Research

Introduction

CeSeR is an interdisciplinary centre which promotes and connects diverse forms of security research across the University of Edinburgh and beyond. It’s primary aim is to connect the increasing number of University of Edinburgh researchers who work on security, from Social and Political Science, Law, Business, Psychology, Informatics, Divinity, History, Geoscience, Engineering, and elsewhere. CeSeR is based in Politics and International Relations in the School of Social and Political Science at the University of Edinburgh and was established in 2015.

Security was once considered a matter of war and international relations alone, but is now recognised as a pressing issue for potentially any area of research or policy.

Security challenges are multi-dimensional and crosscutting, ranging from the more ‘traditional’ forms—such as conflict and war, military alliances, and arms and weaponry—to ‘new’ or more ‘non-traditional’ forms—including human and bio security, cybersecurity, climate change and environmental degradation, global health, terrorism, infrastructural breakdown, and so on. The multi-dimensional nature of security and insecurity demands the multi-disciplinary perspective that CeSeR provides.

Our aims

• To lead and promote security research and contribute to our understanding of matters of (in)security, broadly defined.
• To enhance security research synergies through multi-disciplinary, collaborative projects across the University of Edinburgh and via international networks.
• To foster student engagement and networks in the area of security research, to help develop new generations of expertise.
• To engage with policymakers and practitioners to create mutually beneficial knowledge exchange activities.

Our Community

CeSeR organises events and collaborates with researchers and research centres across the University of Edinburgh and beyond. We host speakers, book launches, an annual conference, reflections on security-related events, and networking activities.

Our members are based throughout the university and have a wide range of security expertise. In addition to their academic research and teaching, CeSeR members provide insights to media outlets, engage with civil society organisations, brief diplomatic communities, and provide expertise to government enquiries and committees.

Within CeSeR there is an active student-led Foreign Policy Research Group. This group includes staff of all career levels and students working on foreign policy research. The group holds an annual conference and meets regularly to provide peer support for research and writing related to foreign policy. CeSeR also aims to build networks of students engaged in security research more broadly, to help them develop their knowledge and expertise. 

Join the Network

To join the CeSeR network and be added to our mailing list of upcoming events. Please email: ceser@ed.ac.uk. You can also find us on Twitter: @ceseredinburgh.”