Social scientists in the Midlands Innovation partnership are developing new behavioural and linguistic research insights to help improve the UK’s law enforcement, security and intelligence.
The Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics (AIFL), based at Aston University, has been leading on a new initiative to broaden the scope of research opportunities delivered by academics within the Midlands Innovation (MI) partnership.
Aston University’s research institute has organised two research proposer days with GCHQ and social science researchers across the Midlands, to generate a better understanding of research ideas which might lead to improvements in analysis and understanding of security threats.
New linguistic and behavioural research ideas and pilot projects have been presented to GCHQ at these dedicated workshops, broadening the scope of sponsored research.
Professor Tim Grant, Professor of Forensic Linguistics and Director of the Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics at Aston University has been leading on the initiative.
He said: “Having worked in partnership with GCHQ on several projects, it’s encouraging to work with the Midlands Innovation universities to further broaden research opportunities within behavioural and linguistic research and strengthen our long-standing relationship between AIFL and GCHQ.
“The research workshops have enabled greater connections to more social science researchers, from sociologists to psychologists and linguists, to help boost research ideas and collaboration opportunities.
“It’s our objective to improve the delivery of justice in its broadest scope, and this partnership with GCHQ and Midlands Innovation is helping us to make a difference on a national scale.”
Spokesperson from GCHQ said: “Working with academics allows us to make improvements in analysis and understanding of security threats using expert insights. Thanks to the support of Aston Institute for Forensic Linguistics and Midlands Innovation we have invested in brand new research projects to help us shape the future of law enforcement and intelligence.”
Sue Clayton, Deputy Director for Midlands Innovation said: “We’re committed to facilitating new research collaborations which have a positive impact on our people, place and partnership. This is just one example of our research community partnering with external stakeholders to find solutions to real-world challenges.
“We’re proud to have supported AIFL’s initiative to expand research opportunities to more social scientists in the region, which resulted in several new projects securing funding from Aston University, University of Birmingham and University of Nottingham, which we hope will lead to high-impact work taking place to benefit the UK nationally and globally.”
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Notes to editors
Midlands Innovation is an ambitious research and innovation partnership, combining the collective excellence of eight world-class universities: Aston University, University of Birmingham, Cranfield University, Keele University, University of Leicester, Loughborough University, University of Nottingham and University of Warwick.
We unite the power of university research with the unique strengths of Midlands industry to drive cutting-edge research, innovation and skills development to create opportunities for our people, place and partnership.
