‘The Changing Face of Security in Higher Education’ is the title of the 2023 conference of the Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO).
AUCSO Chair Elect, Oliver Curran said: “Like many other sectors of the Security Industry, those of us who work in the Higher Education sector are being asked to provide more and more services in order to protect our communities. This is why our Conference theme will focus on the ‘Changing Face of Security in Higher Education’, where we can both discuss our new challenges as well as have our expert speakers provide us with some key insights in adapting our service.”
The 37th AUCSO Annual Conference is running at the Heriot-Watt University Conference Centre in Edinburgh on Tuesday, April 18 until Thursday, April 20, the home institution of AUCSO chair Les Allan, who’s head of safeguarding at the uni. The event will be opened by Prof Mark Biggs, Vice-Principal and Provost at Heriot-Watt. Speeches will come from from Keith Brown, the Scottish Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Scottish Government and Cory Davie, Vice President Asia/Pacific, Control Risk.
You can expect also presentations and a workshop from representatives from Homeland Security Group of the Home Office and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO) who will talk about defining Martyn’s Law / Protect Duty for higher education. Other sessions are by:
Dave Wilson, Regional Modern Slavery & Organised Immigration Crime Coordinator, Regional Organised Crime Unit, West Midlands Police – Student vulnerability to organised crime influence.
Mick McNally – Director, Violence and Vulnerability Unit (VVU) – Initiatives to tackle county lines and the associated violence and exploitation.
Mark Chesworth – Senior Officer, Anti Kidnap & Extortion Unit (AKEU) at the National Crime Agency (NCA) – rise of ‘virtual kidnaps’ in UK universities.
Don Oakley – Development Director, National Security Inspectorate – Third Party Certification for HE Security Managers.
Lisa Broad, Team Leader, CT Protect, Prepare and Security, Department for Education – Martyn’s Law in Higher Education: Group Workshop (with staff from the Department for Education, Home Office and NaCTSO)
Andy Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Specialist Crime Division, Police Scotland – Tackling Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence in Scotland; and
Dr Amy Clarke – Research Fellow, School of Criminology, University of Leicester – Hate Crime in Higher Education.
Alongside the conference will run an exhibition of products and services, that delegates will be able to visit in between workshops and talks. A welcoming event and exhibitors’ fair will run on the Tuesday evening in the Conference Centre and a Networking Evening is planned for the Wednesday evening, at Edinburgh Castle. A Black Tie Gala Dinner and Awards Evening will take place on the Thursday evening when the winners of the AUCSO Awards will be announced.
AUCSO Chief Operating Officer Julie Barker, pictured, said: “We are very much looking forward to our 37th Annual Conference, we have an excellent line up of thought provoking, topical speakers. Last year we had a record attendance, and this year we are determined to beat that. If you would like to attend, do register as soon as possible as places are filling up quickly.”
The event is open to AUCSO members and member institutions. For more details and to register for a place visit: https://eu.eventscloud.com/ereg/index.php?eventid=200251767&. Registration closes on Friday, March 17.
Registration includes:
Attendance at all conference sessions, refreshments, and lunches. Attendance at all social events including the Welcome Reception Tuesday 18 April, AUCSO Dinner Wednesday 19 April and the Gala Awards Dinner Thursday 20 April. Accommodation at the conference hotel (check-in Tuesday, check-out Friday).
