MoU cements University of Portsmouth’s partnership with ASC

The ASC introduced a new pathway for key establishments to engage with it: the Partner Organisation category, which has been designed to encourage collaboration and advance the understanding and implementation of security and risk-related practices.

By supporting the initiative from the outset, the University of Portsmouth is playing a pivotal role in not just shaping the ASC’s visionary programme, but also the development of the sector as a whole.

During the MoU’s signing ceremony, the University of Portsmouth was represented by Dr John Akerele (senior lecturer in security and risk) and Professor Paul Smith (interim executive Dean and Professor in Forensic Investigation), both of whom are from the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. The ASC representative was Dennis Roe, director and lead on academic engagement and professional development.

This partnership builds upon an already impressive track record of collaboration between both organisations. The University of Portsmouth has demonstrated exceptional academic excellence in security studies, with students claiming the prestigious ASC Imbert Award for outstanding academic achievement in security and risk for the last two consecutive years.

Dr Akerele said: “We are proud to be the first official Partner Organisation of the Association of Security Consultants. This partnership reflects our long-standing commitment to excellence in security education and research and creates exciting opportunities for our students and staff to engage more directly with professional practice.”

He continued: “Collaborations like this one help to bridge the gap between academic insight and real-world impact, which is something we are deeply passionate about here at the University of Portsmouth.”

Professor Smith added: “By formalising this collaboration, we are reinforcing our commitment to advancing security and risk knowledge through innovative research and education. It’s an exciting opportunity to connect our academic expertise with industry leaders, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills and insights needed to make a real difference in the field.”

Major changes

The ASC is undergoing major changes driven by a business case developed using methods learned at the University of Portsmouth, in turn demonstrating how education can make a real-world impact.

Dennis Roe commented: “We are delighted to welcome the University of Portsmouth as the inaugural Partner Organisation of the Association of Security Consultants. This partnership underscores the university’s unwavering dedication to the advancement of security and risk education by uniting academia and industry.”

Roe added: “For the Association, this partnership signifies its long-standing commitment to continually developing opportunities and programmes for not only experienced security professionals, but also upcoming talent within our industry. This is also evident from the recent launch of the ASC’s dedicated student scheme, dubbed ASCEND, which is designed specifically for students enrolled in risk or security-related courses at higher educational institutions.”

In conclusion, Roe observed: “I’m sure these initiatives and collaborations with institutions like the University of Portsmouth will create innovative avenues and novel opportunities for both students and staff.”

The University of Portsmouth is recognised for its strong expertise in risk and security management research, particularly so within its Centre for Cyber Crime and Economic Crime, which is dedicated to identifying and mitigating risks across sectors such as social work, corporate reputation, the Armed Forces and the Emergency Services. This research equips risk managers with the insights and tools necessary for understanding and responding effectively to evolving security challenges.