AUCSO - Experts & Thought Leaders

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the renowned organisation for security professionals working in Higher and Further Education around the world, is to host its first European Region Winter Conference at Leiden University in the Netherlands.  The Conference, which takes place from Wednesday, 27 November 2024 until Friday, 29 November 2024, is free to all AUCSO members. European Winter Conference Benny Vandenberghe, Chair of the European Region for AUCSO will open the Conference followed by a welcome from Professor Mr. Dr. E.R. Muller, Vice-Rector and Professor in Safety, Security and Law, and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University. Day One will begin with a session on ‘How UCare and Mental crisis intervention supports mental well-being at Ghent University’ followed by ‘Mental support after shocking events and crisis interventions: what can or should be done? Both these sessions will be led by Gunther Groenwals and Sarah Vermeersch from Ghent University in Belgium. Afternoon session Eric Lanxner from Université Libre de Bruxelles and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University will also lead a session The afternoon will see a session on ‘Horizon scanning and foresight – the added value of tools’ led by Leo Harskamp from Leiden University followed by ‘First Alert and ways to utilise it’ with Gus Hodson from Dataminr. Eric Lanxner from Université Libre de Bruxelles and Leo Harskamp from Leiden University will also lead a session on ‘Physical security – counter criminal and counter-terrorism’. Day Two session Day Two will see sessions on ‘Protests as a daily business’ with Jaap Weijermans from Universiteit van Amsterdam and long-term partner of AUCSO, Critical Arc, will be presenting its emergency management planning tool, Safezone, which is rapidly becoming the most widely-used and trusted technology of its kind. There will also be an interactive session on ‘What should AUCSO Europe focus on’ and announcements of what’s coming up in 2025. The Conference will be closed by Benny Vandenberghe, Chair of the European Region for AUCSO. Topical and interactive sessions Julie Barker, Chief Operating Officer, of AUCSO, said, "We are excited to be hosting our first European Region Winter Conference at Leiden University in the Netherlands and we are looking forward to welcoming many of our AUCSO members and colleagues from Higher Education in Poland, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, and the Netherlands." Julie Barker adds, "It’s going to be a jam-packed agenda of topical and interactive sessions together with lots of opportunities for networking and having some fun too."

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the major organisation for security professionals working in Higher and Further Education around the world has announced that its Australasia Chair, Russell Gammie, is to retire after 25 years of dedicated service. Russell Gammie Russell who also retires from his role at Monash University in Australia as Director of Global Security & Crisis Response was the force behind Australia joining AUCSO. Known as the Grandfather of the University Security network in Australia, Russell Gammie set up a small confederation of interested parties in 1999. By 2010, this had grown into the TERSEC Group (Tertiary Security) comprising members from institutions in Victoria, as well as a growing number of interstate members.  Tapping the knowledge base Mal Abley, Manager of Security Operations and Systems at Deakin University, Australia, and Australasia Region Chair for AUCSO said, “Russell knew that to further professionalise our industry, we needed to be able to tap into the knowledge base of our international colleagues." Mal Abley adds, "This insight led to Russell beginning his search for an established group we could partner with that would offer us a new perspective and provide the encouragement to grow in our profession. That organisation was AUCSO.” Sharing experiences and good practice By 2021 over 40 Australian, New Zealand and Singapore Universities had joined AUCSO Russell Gammie joined AUCSO in 2018 as Chair of the newly formed Australasian Region which was made up of 28 Australian and New Zealand members. At the time, this was a welcome step forward for the organisation which had members from Europe and the rest of the world, giving the perfect opportunity to learn and grow through the sharing of experiences and good practice. By 2021 over 40 Australian, New Zealand and Singapore Universities had joined AUCSO making it one of the largest membership groups within the organisation. Russell Gammie's comment Speaking of his pending retirement, Russell Gammie said, “All good things come to an end and as much as I've enjoyed this journey, it's time for me to embark on another, a more relaxing one." He adds, “I can't go without saying a very sincere thank you to everyone who has been part of the experience over the 20-plus years." Privilege and pleasure Russell Gammie continues, "It has been an absolute privilege and pleasure for me to work in such an important sector for so long, and alongside such an experienced and dedicated group of people."  He further said, “The wonderful support and camaraderie I've been lucky to experience, as well as the real progress we've made together, has made my time enjoyable and rewarding. I'll now continue to watch with interest from the sidelines. Keep on doing it, back each other, and share the load!” Guidance, advice, and leadership Mal Abley concluded, “On behalf of AUCSO I would like to say a huge thank you to Russell for all of his guidance, advice, and leadership over the last 25 years. We will miss you, but we wish you a fabulous retirement and a very happy life in your new home in Thailand.” Julie Barker, COO of AUSCO, added, "I had the pleasure of meeting Russ last year – he is a great guy and has been a superbly active and supportive Regional Chair for us. We will miss him lots, but we wish him and his wife a fantastic retirement.”

The Association of University Chief Security Officers (AUCSO), the pioneering organisation for security professionals working in Higher and Further Education around the world, has announced a compelling and exciting lineup of speakers for this year’s 40th Annual Conference, alongside the theme of ‘Unveiling the Added Value of Security Services’. The 40th AUCSO Annual Conference will be held at the University of Liverpool from Monday 8 April to Wednesday 10 April 2024. The conference is open to all AUCSO members and will be hosted by Andrew Molloy, AUCSO member and Head of Campus Support Services at the University of Liverpool. Contributions of security services AUCSO Chair, Oliver Curran, said: “At this year’s Conference we will explore the dynamic landscape of security services and embrace the opportunity to unveil not just the shield that our university and college security teams provide, but the intrinsic added value they bring."  “Security is not merely a safeguard; it is a catalyst for confidence and an embodiment of trust. Together, we will illuminate the often unseen contributions of security services, recognising their role in shaping a resilient and prosperous future for us all." Break-out sessions The Conference will be opened by Professor Tim Jones, Vice-Chancellor University of Liverpool and the keynote speech will be from Tim Collins, OBE on Global Conflicts: Navigating the Impact on the Campuses. There will also be engaging and thought-provoking break-out sessions as follows: Heather Baily, QPM and Paul Fullwood, Chair & Director for Inspections and Enforcement, Security Industry Authority (SIA) - How recent changes within the SIA can add value to the Higher Education Security Sector. Gus Hodson, Key Account Director, Dataminr - How Campus Security Pioneers can embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning. Christine Clark, Mental Health, First Aid England and Richard Yates, Chair, AUCSO Mental Health SIG - Mental Health on Campus: Security First Responders or Only Responders? Kenny MacLeod, Risk Management Resources Ltd - Dealing with campus protests and preparing Campus Security for the Higher Education (Freedom of Speech) Act 2023. Dave Wilson, Regional Modern Slavery & Organised Immigration, Crime Coordinator, Regional Organised Crime Unit, West Midlands Police - Chinese Student vulnerability to organised crime influence. Alan Cain, Head of Security and Emergency Management University of Salford - Proactive Measures and Preparedness for Emerging Risks on Campuses. Darren Chalmers, Stevens Group, COO & MD, EMEA/APAC Critical Arc - Bridging the Gap between Cyber and Physical Security on Campus. Daniel Frith, Sales Director, DTS Solutions - Enhancing Campus Security through Technology Integration. Number of panel discussions Furthermore, there will be a number of panel discussions that offer immense value to members covering: AUCSO’s Benchmarking launched recently in partnership with ISARR with Julie Barker and Adrian Dennehy, AUCSO and Nick Beale and Russ Huxtable, ISARR. Martyn’s Law – ‘What are we waiting for’ with Figen Murray, moderated by Nathan Emmerich. The Value of Transformation for Campus Security, Empowering Campus Security  VAWG Challenges and Solutions. Incredible achievements across 2023 All envoys will be able to visit the show in between workshops and talks to network, share, and learn New suppliers and AUSCO partners will be supporting the Conference with an exciting exhibition of products and services. All delegates will be able to visit the exhibition in between workshops and talks to network, share, and learn. There will be a Welcome Reception and Exhibitors Fayre on a Monday evening in the Conference Centre and a Networking Evening is planned for Tuesday evening to be held at Anfield, the home of Liverpool Football Club.  Celebrating some incredible achievements across 2023, a glittering Black Tie Gala Dinner and Awards Evening will take place on Wednesday evening when the winners of the AUCSO Awards will be announced. Opportunities for networking Commenting on the Conference, AUCSO Chief Operating Officer, Julie Barker, said: “We are very much looking forward to our 40th Annual Conference, and we are committed to an excellent lineup of thought-provoking, topical speakers, and the opportunities for networking. There will also be some exciting additions to our 40th anniversary conference. We are looking forward to seeing corporate partners and our members from across the globe as we discuss the ‘value’ that our security services add to our campus communities on a day-to-day basis." “Last year we had a record attendance, and this year we are determined to beat that. If you would like to attend, do register as soon as possible as places are filling up quickly.” Conference open to AUCSO members The Conference is open to AUCSO members. Registration includes: Attendance at all Conference sessions, refreshments, and lunches. Attendance at all social events including: Monday 8 April: Welcome Reception, dinner with refreshments at the conference centre. Tuesday 9 April: Networking Evening, dinner with refreshments which will take place at Anfield – the home of Liverpool Football Club. Wednesday 10 April: Gala Dinner and Awards Evening which will take place at The Lutyens Crypt and Treasury at Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. Accommodation at the Conference hotel (Check-in on Monday 8 April and check-out on Thursday 11 April). Registration for this year’s Conference closes on Friday 11 March 2024.