Cranfield University is taking the lead for the Academic Resilience and Security Community (A-RiSC), a network of 30 UK universities formed to help government and industry access academic experts and the latest research and knowledge in national security.

The network was created to follow the success of the Security and Resilience Industry Suppliers Community (RISC), an alliance of trade associations and bodies which represent the UK’s security and resilience sector. As part of the chairmanship of the A-RiSC group, Cranfield University will participate in RISC, chaired by Sir Kevin Tebbit, and the Security and Resilience Growth Partnership (SRGP) jointly chaired by the Home Office Security Minister and Chair of RISC.

Sir Kevin Tebbit said: “Solving the challenges to national security requires the combined and integrated effort of Government, industry and academia. So it is good news that in Cranfield University, with its world class capabilities, we have a fitting successor to Imperial College London to lead the vital academic input.”

Dr Simon Harwood, Director of Defence and Security at Cranfield University, will lead the A-RiSC network with Professor Andrew Shortland and said: “I’m looking forward to working with universities across the UK to co-ordinate academia’s role in national security. I encourage other academic institutions to join us, it is an open network and a vital way for us to advise government and industry.”