Our ReSCU-mission is to stimulate research on the causes, dynamics, and consequences of resilience, security-related challenges and civil unrest, with a focus on threats and challenges that society faces. By developing a high-quality scientific community, knowledge and practically relevant engagement, the ReSCU Lab contributes to a more inclusive, resilient, and just society. Through rigorous research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and effective communication, we aim to promote an open and democratic dialogue on issues of societal importance and support policymakers, professionals, and citizens in making informed decisions.
The ReSCU Lab thus provides a comprehensive understanding of the societal challenges and threats faced by Dutch society and offers (often evidence-based) solutions to promote safety, security and well-being for all citizens. The lab brings together experts from various fields, including criminology, sociology, psychology, public administration, anthropology, communication and organisation sciences, law (enforcement), and policy-making, to collaborate and develop innovative solutions.
The first area of research (Crisis Resilience Academy - CRA) comprises the focus on resilience, in which action-research is conducted on crisis resilience to help professional and civic communities prepare for disruptions, recover from shocks and stress, and learn from disruptive experiences. These tasks are challenging as stakeholders may have different interpretations of the crisis. The solution is to develop collaborative solutions that guide both planned and unplanned responses. The goal is to improve our understanding of how formal authorities, response organisations, and communities collaborate during crises, and to enhance these interactions whenever possible. While the world has always faced disturbances and crises, challenges like accelerated urbanisation, climate change, and globalisation make it urgent to update our crisis management systems. Today's crises have multiple causes, ambiguous effects, and require collective solutions. Formal authorities, tasked with restoring order, struggle to govern reactive networks and local communities while managing conflicting interests and actions. Traditional top-down command and control approaches are often ineffective. Instead, we need new perspectives that foster partnerships and build resilience.
The second area of focus (Knowledge Hub Security & Resilience - KVV) on security and security-related issues, such as (organised) crime, policing and safety-related issues, which has gained increased attention in recent years due to the normalisation of drug use, the rise of violence related to drug trafficking, and the increase in illegal weapon use. This programme will investigate the patterns of drug use and the impact of drug trafficking on society, as well as explore new strategies for drug law enforcement. It includes a research focus on the threat of the invisible, which refers to the increasing prevalence of cybercrime and other forms of invisible crime. The programme will investigate the causes and consequences of these crimes, as well as explore new strategies for cybercrime law enforcement and prevention.
The third area of focus is civil unrest (Polarization in Perspective – PiP), which is characterised by the rise of social tension, intolerance towards diversity, and an increase in protest and demonstration activities. The programme will examine the factors contributing to these issues, including socio-economic factors, political polarisation, and the impact of social media. The programme will also explore ways to promote social cohesion and address the underlying causes of social tension.