University of Bath Launches New Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour

Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean leads the launch of a multidisciplinary initiative tackling digital vulnerabilities and security.

• The University of Bath inaugurates a new Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB).
• Keynote on “Securing the Future” delivered by Professor Dame Angela McLean at Bath’s Guildhall.
• IDSB research addresses global digital risks, focusing on human, organisational and societal factors.

The University of Bath has officially opened its new Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour (IDSB), with Government Chief Scientific Adviser Professor Dame Angela McLean delivering a keynote speech at Bath’s Guildhall on 29 January. Designed to unite behavioural and social scientists, the Institute will explore how to safeguard individuals, organisations and wider society from an evolving range of digital threats. Over the next five years, IDSB aims to translate its research into practical measures, working closely with industry, government and parliamentarians to strengthen digital security practices and policies across the UK.

Exploring Digital Vulnerabilities

A core objective of the newly established Institute is to investigate the root causes of digital vulnerabilities and enhance protections for a rapidly expanding online population. According to those behind IDSB, recent global events and technological progress have highlighted how easily malicious actors can exploit gaps in digital defences, pointing to the need for a coordinated, multi-disciplinary approach.

Speaking ahead of the launch, Professor Dame Angela McLean emphasised the importance of integrating expertise from diverse fields, stating: “The technologies most critical to the UK’s future have complex data and security requirements. They need expert input, and not just from the scientists and engineers responsible for advancing these technologies.” She further explained: “By putting the interests of people and society at the heart of its work, the University of Bath’s Institute for Digital Security and Behaviour should play a major role in tackling major issues around the safe and successful deployment of technologies.”

IDSB research projects include examining online harms and safety, the geopolitics of security, emerging and future technologies, and human, economic and organisational aspects of cyber security. One study published just days before the launch looked into the way online memes can help conspiracy theories take root, by forging a sense of unity among internet groups. Such investigations provide the foundation for strategies that can be adopted to mitigate online misinformation, cyber crime and other threats.

Bridging Research and Practice

A key theme of the Institute is translating academic insights into real-world policies. Professor Adam Joinson, Co-Director of IDSB, underscored this emphasis, commenting: “While new digital technologies provide incredible opportunities for growth, innovation, and prosperity, they also create risks and threats, and the human and social challenges they present are often the most intractable.” By combining academic research with practical collaborations, IDSB aims to ensure that new insights on user behaviour, organisational weaknesses, and social dynamics feed directly into the development of safer online environments.

Co-Director and Professor of Psychology, Laura GE Smith, explained how the Institute’s approach places the public at the centre: “We take a ‘whole of society’ approach, which puts people at the heart of digital security. We want to help make the UK a more innovative, safe, secure, and resilient digital society, to develop the next generation of leaders in digital security and behaviour, and to help advance the UK as a global leader in this domain.” She also highlighted a variety of immediate challenges, from social media abuse targeting children, to state-sponsored campaigns designed to spread disinformation or influence elections.

By tackling these issues and working closely with decision-makers, IDSB plans to influence both regulation and industry standards, ensuring rapid adoption of robust security practices. Researchers from across disciplines will share knowledge on human behaviour, security technologies and economic impacts, aiming to shape policy measures that can better protect individuals and institutions. In doing so, IDSB looks set to become a vital resource for those seeking a more secure digital world.