About CONRIS

Advancing Risk, Safety & Security Through Collaboration

For more than 15 years, CONRIS has connected universities, researchers and students across Europe to advance education and research in Risk, Safety & Security Studies.

Our mission

The mission of CONRIS is to advance education and research in Risk, Safety & Security Studies through international collaboration. We strive to develop the next generation of professionals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and cultural competence needed to address complex challenges in risk assessment, safety management, and security provision across diverse organizational and societal contexts.

Our vision

We envision a world where higher education institutions across Europe and beyond work seamlessly together to create opportunities for students and scholars to develop expertise in managing risk, ensuring safety, and implementing effective security strategies. Our vision is to foster a community of practice where academic excellence meets real-world application, where diverse perspectives strengthen solutions, and where our graduates become leaders in their fields, contributing to safer and more secure societies.

What is CONRIS?

CONRIS is an international network of universities committed to promoting excellence in three interconnected fields of study:

Risk Studies

Examines how organizations and societies identify, assess, and manage various types of risk — from financial and operational risks to environmental and reputational risks. Our risk studies programs prepare students to understand complex risk landscapes and develop strategies for risk mitigation.

Safety Studies

Focuses on the systems, practices, and technologies that protect people and assets. From workplace safety to public safety, our programs explore how to design safer environments, implement effective safety protocols, and build safety cultures across organizations.

Security Studies

Addresses the broad spectrum of security challenges facing modern society. This includes information security, physical security, cybersecurity, and strategic security considerations at organizational, national, and international levels.

How they connect

These three fields are deeply interconnected. Understanding risk informs security strategies; effective security enhances safety; and comprehensive safety management reduces risk. CONRIS leverages these connections to provide students with a holistic understanding of how to protect and manage in an uncertain world.

Our Core Values

Excellence

We are committed to the highest standards of academic rigor and professional integrity. We foster environments where innovation is encouraged and quality is never compromised.

Collaboration

We believe that the most meaningful insights emerge through partnership. By bringing together institutions, experts, and students from different countries and backgrounds, we create opportunities for mutual learning and shared discovery.

Inclusion

We welcome participants from diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We recognize that addressing complex challenges requires diverse viewpoints and are committed to creating inclusive learning environments.

Relevance

We keep our programs and research focused on real-world challenges. Our curricula are developed with input from industry professionals and aligned with contemporary needs in our fields.

Sustainability

We invest in long-term partnerships and programs designed to create lasting impact, not just short-term gains. We consider the social, environmental, and economic dimensions of sustainability in all our work.

Our History

2007

The Idea Begins

Martin Langer of FH Campus Wien brought together representatives of newly established safety and security programmes to explore opportunities for cooperation. The goal was to create a network for knowledge exchange, joint projects, and student mobility.

2009

CONRIS Is Established

The vision became reality when CONRIS (COoperation Network for RIsk, Safety and Security Studies) was formally established through a Letter of Intent signed in Hamburg. This marked the official start of the network.

2014

First CONRIS Summer Course

A major milestone was reached with the first CONRIS Summer Course in Utrecht, focused on crisis communication during a tunnel incident. The programme brought together students and lecturers from across the network.

2018

Expanding Professional Training

In collaboration with the Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC), CONRIS launched its first Disaster Risk Management training programme, further strengthening its practical and professional impact.

Today

A Growing European Network

CONRIS now connects universities across Europe, from the United Kingdom to Latvia and from Norway to Portugal. Together, we continue to advance education, research, and collaboration in Risk, Safety & Security Studies.

How We Organize Ourselves

CONRIS is a collaborative network governed by representatives from its member universities. Together, they contribute to the strategic direction of the network and coordinate activities in education, events, and research.

The network is organized around the CONRIS Board and two working groups: Education & Events and Research. This structure brings together expertise from across the partner universities and supports close cooperation within the network.

CONRIS Board

A small board governs the CONRIS network. Javier Dorado Ferrer (UAB), Claudia Morsut (University of Stavanger) and André Rodrigues (Lusófona University) take turns presiding over the CONRIS meetings. Heidi van Houten (HU UAS Utrecht), Marina Črnko (UAS Velika Gorica) and Hidde de Jong (Saxion UAS) are also board members.

Education & Events

In addition to the board the network has two working groups (Education & Events, and Research). The Education & Events working group facilitates cooperation between the partners on exchange programmes, internationalization@home, and events. CONRIS partners organize several Blended Intensive Programmes, as well as the European Student Research Conference. Yung-Fang Chen (Coventry University), Lucie Kocůrková (VSB Technical University of Ostrava) and Kaci Bourdache (Laurea UAS) are the primary contacts for the Education & Events working group.

Research

In addition to the board the network has two working groups (Education & Events, and Research). The Research working group facilitates cooperation between the partners on research. CONRIS partners organize a monthly lunchtime talk on research and knowledge related to risk (management). Sylvia Bach (University of Wuppertal), Maria Feio (ISCIA Aveiro) and Clemens Gause (NBS Hamburg) are the primary contacts for the Research working group.

The Road to Partnership

Being a partner of CONRIS means being an active contributor. Participation in joint events, education, research, development and professional networking are all highly valuable. Each partner brings their own strengths, making CONRIS stronger than the sum of its parts.

Step 1

Introduce your institution

Send an email to the Chair and Vice-Chair describing your academic activities and how they fit with CONRIS, what you expect from the network and what you can offer other partners.

Step 2

Present at a CONRIS meeting

You will be invited to apply formally by giving a short presentation introducing your institution at the next CONRIS meeting.

Step 3

Provisional partnership

A positive vote among full partners grants provisional partner status, allowing you to take part in the network’s activities right away.

After ±18 months

Full partnership

Full partnership is voted on approximately 18 months later. Active participation as a provisional partner is the best way to earn full partnership.

Interested in joining CONRIS? We welcome universities that want to actively contribute to education and research in Risk, Safety & Security Studies.