An international collaboration between University of Waikato’s Te Puna Haumaru – New Zealand Institute for Security and Crime Science (NZISCS) and the Security, Crime and Intelligence Innovation Institute (SCIII) at Cardiff University will share knowledge around some of the most difficult issues facing society today.
The Cardiff-Waikato Crime & Security Knowledge Exchange Wānanga begins today, and continues over three days with attendees both online and in-person at hubs in Hamilton, New Zealand and Cardiff, Wales.
Teaching Fellow Apriel Jolliffe Simpson is in Cardiff to take part in person, and says she is looking forward to sharing information, experiences, and ideas with her colleagues and professional partners.
“This event came about through the strategic partnership our two universities have. Professor Devon Polaschek (Director of Te Puna Haumaru (NZISCS)) and I saw a natural connection between what we’re doing in Te Puna Haumaru and the work our colleagues are doing in Cardiff. By bringing together researchers from both institutes and our professional partners in government organisations and industry, we can share our experiences, research, and knowledge.”
The Cardiff hub of the wānaga will be hosted by Professor Amanda Robinson and Dr David Rogers of the SCIII. SCIII is excited for the coming together of the two institutes and the challenges of running a hybrid event spanning the globe.
“We have more than 100 attendees taking part in three days of hybrid knowledge exchange events occurring simultaneously at both universities,” David says. “This will be an excellent opportunity for both nations’ research communities and their valued external stakeholders to learn from one another through sharing their differing experiences, with the aim of establishing a foundation for cross-national collaboration on some of the most pressing crime and security challenges.”
During the wānanga the attendees aim to explore ways to overcome challenges in contemporary crime and security research and practice. They will discuss topics including death reviews, violence risk assessment, cybercrime, and counter terrorism and extremism.
“We expect to discuss the challenges we’re facing in these areas, share recent successes and examples of best practice, and perhaps identify questions that researchers could explore that would have practical application for our partners,” Apriel says.
“It’s really exciting to be able to talk about our common challenges and establish new connections outside our usual organisations – and even our country – to promote further cross-national knowledge exchange and collaboration in the future.”
Associate Director for Global Engagement and Partnerships, Cath Battersby, says the partnership with Cardiff has flourished, despite the challenges presented by the pandemic, and both institutions are seeing an exciting and diverse range of collaborations.
“Strong global partnerships, including our strategic partnership with Cardiff University, mean our staff and students have access to global experience and expertise,” Cath says. “Together, we increase the global impact of our research and contribute to global challenges. This wānanga is an excellent example of what is possible through a combination of virtual and in-person connection.”
