Cognitive warfare, information manipulation and influence

Research into the mechanisms, actors, technologies and consequences of cognitive warfare, information warfare, influence operations, mass manipulation, misinformation and disinformation. ECCS examines both large-scale societal effects and consequences for groups, institutions and individuals.

Civilian adaptation and technology-enabled harm

Research into how methods, knowledge and technologies associated with military, security, intelligence or commercial environments may be transferred, adapted or misused for coercive, abusive, illicit or criminal civilian purposes.

This area could include:

• technology-enabled coercion and exploitation;
• harmful online mobilisation and recruitment;
• coordinated online and physical intimidation;
• harassment and victimisation;
• cross-border coercive practices (transnational repression);
• risks to journalists, researchers, whistleblowers, diaspora communities and others exposed to targeted pressure.

Artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and emerging technologies

Research into AI-enabled influence, synthetic media, automated persuasion, digital targeting, cyber-enabled manipulation, surveillance, detection and biosurveillance technologies, and other technological developments relevant to cognitive security.

Neurosecurity and emerging neurotechnologies

Research into the security, ethical and societal implications of neurotechnology, brain–computer interfaces, applied neuroscience and technologies with potential cognitive, behavioural or neurophysiological effects.

Prevention, protection and civilian resilience

Research and practical work concerning:

• risk and threat assessment;
• forensic and evidential approaches to cognitive and technology-enabled harm
• early recognition;
• professional preparedness;
• prevention frameworks;
• decision-support tools;
• institutional response;
• victim-sensitive practice;
• resilience at individual, institutional and societal levels.