Tampere University – Multidisciplinary research in safety and security

Tampere University combines top-level, multidisciplinary and scientific research related to safety and security. Tampere University is one of the leading universities in Finland in industrial safety research and education based on it. Examples of topical themes include the safety of materials in the circular economy, the well-being of police officers and multi-professional cooperation in encounters with customers, the safety of multi-technical and autonomous systems, autonomous vehicles in underwater search and rescue, knowledge security, the impact of technology on security policy, the safety of indoor conditions of buildings and the safety of people, the environment and organisations.

Researchers from Tampere University are members of many international security research networks, such as

• the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s CE-profiled universities,
• International Society of Engineering Asset Management (ISEAM),
• AIS (Association of Information Systems),
• Nordic Centre of Excellence in Security Technologies and Societal Values,
• MEDLiE – Media Literacy and Education research group,
• Transform network, European safety research network,
• OPTUKE network, European Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ESTSS) and Osce network Think Thanks and Academic Institutions,
• EuroMeSCo (Euro-Mediterranean Study Commission), IABP (International Association of Building Physics),
• EGOLF European Group of Organisations for Fire Testing,
• Inspection and Certification, CEN/TC 127 Building Fire Safety and CEN/TC 250/ SC3 – Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures.

Top researchers at Tampere University are also members of the editorial boards of scientific journals related to safety and security, such as the editorial board of the Nordic Journal of Criminology.

Europe’s leading research institute VTT tackles security challenges

VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland Ltd is the largest applied research and technology company in Finland and one of the leading research institutes in Europe. State-owned VTT provides technology and research services to both domestic and international companies and the public sector. The mission of VTT is to promote the utilisation and commercialisation of research and technology in business and society and to respond to the major societal challenges with the help of science and technology.

VTT is a member of several security and defence networks, such as the EARTO Working Group for Security and Defence Research, the European Defence Research and Innovation Network (EDRIN) and the European Cyber Security Organisation (ECSO). VTT is an active member of the Association of Finnish Defence and Aerospace Industries (AFDA), the Rethinking Autonomy and Safety (RAAS) innovation ecosystem and the Scientific Advisory Board for Defence (MATINE).

VTT’s research on security issues focuses on the opportunities created by new technologies, digitalisation and artificial intelligence to improve security in different sectors and to identify and prepare for new threats and disruptions.

Police University College – expert in police training, research and development

Police University College is the only police training institution in Finland. It is not only a university of applied sciences, but also a police department and subordinate to the Ministry of the Interior. In Finland, Police University College is responsible for the activities of the European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Training (CEPOL). Police University College’s international affairs team organises CEPOL activities in Finland and coordinates Nordic cooperation between police colleges and the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements. Police University College participates in the activities of the Nordic Police Research Network and various European security research networks. Police University College is a member of the Association of the European Police Colleges (AEPC), the European Security and Defence College (ESDC) and Crisis Management Centre Finland.

Police University College’s research focuses on the themes of internal security and policing. Police University College regularly monitors, for example, citizens’ opinion of the police, well-being at work in the police organisation, the effectiveness of education, hate crime and police use of force. Recent research topics at Police University College include cybercrime prevention, critical infrastructure, intimate partner violence, multi-agency cooperation, immigration, various economic crime topics and traffic safety.

Tampere University

Tampere University offers, for example, a major in Risk and Safety Management for the Master of Science in Engineering degree. Additionally, the university provides courses and advanced studies in Safety Engineering. It is also possible to pursue a doctoral degree in this field at the university.

Tampere Adult Education Centre TAKK

At the Tampere Adult Education Centre, you can complete a vocational qualification or a specialist vocational qualification in the field of safety.

Tampere Vocational College Tredu 

At Tredu, you can study for a basic qualification, a vocational qualification, or a specialist vocational qualification in the field of safety.

Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster offers a door to diverse, low-threshold security cooperation

The Tampere Region Economic Development Agency, Business Tampere, coordinates the activities of the Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster. Within the framework of the cluster, various events are held where members receive up-to-date information and opportunities for networking.

Through projects, greater strides can be taken in the development of safety and security innovations. The innovation platforms and RDI infrastructures support joint and participatory development, such as the joint Cybersecurity Laboratories for Smart Industry (KyLÄ) project of Tampere University and Tampere University of Applied Sciences, which aims to build a joint innovation and development platform for industrial cyber security in which companies can also participate.

Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster offers a door to diverse, low-threshold security cooperation

Business Tampere offers free-of-charge services to companies operating or located in the Tampere city region to support innovation and business. The development company links companies to innovation actors and ecosystems, and activates and coordinates RDI projects. For example, Business Tampere acts as a coordinator for ERDF/ESF-funded projects and activates the preparation of EU projects together with other cluster member organisations.

The City of Tampere and Business Tampere are involved in EU projects offering opportunities for experimentation. STARDUST is an EU Horizon 2020 Smart Cities project in which the City of Tampere has, among other things, developed an intelligent street lighting control system. The intelligent control system not only adapts dynamically to light conditions, but also offers the flexibility to add new sensors for increased safety. The City of Tampere identifies and develops the City IoT platform and promotes opportunities for the use of transport and city big data in innovation and business in a 6Aika project.

The Smart Urban Security and Event Resilience (SURE) project (2019–2023) aims to improve the preparedness for security threats related to events by developing cooperation between event organisers as well as cooperation tools. The project has served as a platform for the development and testing of security innovations and for cooperation between the public and private sectors. SURE offers an innovative holistic approach to urban safety, something that has not yet been implemented anywhere else.

Business Tampere will continue to actively promote the emergence of similar innovative flagship projects together with the actors of the Tampere Region Safety and Security Cluster.

Diverse piloting opportunities for smart safety solutions in event environments

Coordinated by Business Tampere, the regional safety and security ecosystem offers experimental and piloting environments for smart city safety solutions. There are nine venues suitable for piloting security solutions in Tampere: Särkänniemi amusement park, Särkänniemi event beach, Tampere Hall, Tampere Stadium, Tammela Football Stadium, Tampere Central Square, the station area, the surroundings of Nokia Arena, Tampere Exhibition and Sports Centre and the school network.