AUCSO announces theme for upcoming Annual Conference

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The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO) has confirmed that ‘The Changing Face of Security in Higher Education’ will be the theme for its 2023 Annual Conference, taking place at the Heriot-Watt University Conference Centre, Edinburgh on 18-20 April 2023.

The Conference will be opened by Professor Mark Biggs, Vice-Principal and Provost, Heriot-Watt University and there will be keynote speeches from Keith Brown MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice and Veterans, Scottish Government and Cory Davie, Vice President Asia/Pacific, Control Risks.

Commenting on the Conference, 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.”

There will be presentations and a workshop from representatives from Homeland Security Group, UK Home Office and the National Counter Terrorism Security Office (NaCTSO), who will talk about defining Martyn’s Law for Higher Education.

There will also be engaging and thought-provoking breakout sessions as follows:

  • 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) National Crime Agency (NCA) – The rise of Virtual Kidnaps in UK Universities
  • Don Oakley – Development Director, National Security Inspectorate – The Benefits of 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 reps from DfE, Home Office and NaCTSO)
  • Andy Freeburn, Assistant Chief Constable, Specialist Crime Division, Police Scotland – Tackling Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence in Scotland
  • Dr Amy Clarke – Research Fellow, School of Criminology, University of Leicester – Hate Crime in Higher Education

New suppliers and AUCSO partners will be supporting the conference with a compelling exhibition of products and services and delegates will be able to visit the exhibition in between workshops and talks.

To find out more information and to register your place at the conference, click here.

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