Last autumn, the University of Inland Norway (INN), together with the University of Agder (UiA), the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), and Nord University (NORD), was awarded NOK 2 million from the Research Council of Norway (NFR) for the preliminary project Research Infrastructure for Technology-Supported Crisis Management.
In collaboration with the Centre for Integrated Emergency Management at UiA (UiA-CIEM), the Simulation and Collaboration Laboratory at USN (SimSam), and the Centre for Crisis Management and Collaboration (Nordlab) at Nord University, PROTECT and the emergency management community at INN will develop a concept for a national research infrastructure that supports research and innovation in technology-supported crisis management.
Main application later this year
The project kick-off and first gathering took place at PROTECT and Rena on 29–30 January.
– The key question the group must answer when submitting the main application later this year is: 'What type of research infrastructure is needed to maintain and develop national technology-supported emergency management?' says project leader at PROTECT, Ørjan Lande Hansen.
Technologically, the project spans areas such as simulation technology, robotics, drones, and AI. The academic fields include risk analysis, decision support, crisis management, cybersecurity, and security psychology.
High expectations from the NFR
Feedback from The Research Council of Norway (NFR) has both motivated and humbled the research team. NFR states:
'The purpose of the infrastructure is considered nationally important and relevant, with significant societal benefits. According to the expert panel, it has the potential to make Norway an international leader in technology-supported crisis management. The project can connect partially isolated knowledge organisations and researchers. It will benefit all stakeholders in crisis management and emergency preparedness, including municipalities, civilian and military units, technology companies, and voluntary organisations. It will also promote collaboration between actors across regions.'
Learning about target groups and infrastructure
– To refine initial thoughts on aspects such as target groups, encrypted data transmission and storage, power and internet access, we received inspiring and valuable input from Telenor, Eidsiva, the County Governor of Innlandet, and Vaager, along with strong support from Åmot Municipality, says Lande Hansen about the kick-off gathering at Rena.
Now, all participants are working within their respective fields ahead of the next meeting on 25 February.
– At that point, we will be working on drafts for work packages, says Ørjan Lande Hansen.
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